Thread: LCD 16x2 Display only shows black boxes?

Hi, I am unable to initialise this 16x2 LCD Display, could any one here help please? Went through past threads and still unable to solve
Using a PIC18F4520 with 4Mhz crystal

First line is filled with black boxes, second line is clear

Code:

#include <p18f4520.h>
#include <delays.h>
#include <timers.h>
#include <stdio.h>


#pragma config WDT = OFF   	 //	Disable Watchdog timer
#pragma config BOREN = OFF   // Disable Brown-out reset
#pragma config LVP = OFF   	 // Disable low voltage ICSP


#define LCD_DATA	PORTD				// LCD Data
#define LCD_RS   	PORTBbits.RB4   	// RS signal for LCD
#define LCD_E    	PORTBbits.RB3   	// E signal for LCD


void Init_LCD(void);			// Initialize the LCD
void W_ctr_8bit(char);			// 8-bit Control word for LCD
void W_data_8bit(char);			// 8-bit Text Data for LCD
void Delay_1kcyc(void);			// 1000 cycles delay, 1ms


void main()
{
unsigned char i=0; //loop variable
char MESS[12] ="WELCOME!!!";


ADCON1=0x0F;					// Ports A,B & E as digital I/O
TRISA=0x00;
TRISB=0;				// RB3,RB4 for LCD interface RS&E	
TRISD=0;				// Port D as LCD Data Output
TRISE=0x00;


Delay10KTCYx(1);
Init_LCD();				// Init LCD 8-bit interface,multiple line


W_ctr_8bit(0b11000000); 


for(i=0;i<10;i++)
{
Delay1KTCYx(1);	//small delay
W_data_8bit(MESS[i]); 	// Write individual character to LCD
}
}


/* LCD display initialization */
void Init_LCD(){								
	W_ctr_8bit(0b00111000);		// Function Set - 8-bit, 2 lines, 5X7
 	W_ctr_8bit(0b00001100);		// Display on, cursor on
	W_ctr_8bit(0b00000110);		// Entry mode - inc addr, no shift
	W_ctr_8bit(0b00000001);		// Clear display  
	W_ctr_8bit(0b00000110);		// Return cursor to home position
}


/* Write control word to LCD */
void W_ctr_8bit(char x){ 						
   LCD_RS	= 0;				// Logic ‘0’
   Delay1KTCYx(1);	//small delay
   LCD_E	= 1;				// Logic ‘1’
   Delay1KTCYx(1);	//small delay
   LCD_DATA = x;
   Delay1KTCYx(1);	//small delay
   LCD_E	= 0;				// Logic 0’
   Delay1KTCYx(1);			// delay
}


/* Write text data to LCD */
void W_data_8bit(char x){ 
   LCD_RS	 = 1;				// Logic ‘1’
   Delay1KTCYx(1);	//small delay
   LCD_E	 = 1;				// Logic ‘1’
   Delay10KTCYx(1);	//small delay
   LCD_DATA  = x;
   Delay1KTCYx(1);	//small delay
   LCD_E	 = 0;				// Logic ‘0’
   Delay10KTCYx(25);			// delay
}

Help please, I tried for really long already.

You have checked that the contrast isnt too high?

Wait a least 1 sec after power on before sending any initialization commands to the LCD.

Normally requires 100ms to 500ms before LCD is ready for commands after it is turned on.

NOTE: The initialization commands often require several ms for them to work (this delay is needed between each command).

Tim S.