FIXED: LPT-based HD44780 - weird display flickering + rand..

[fraktal]

Just wired up my 16x2 HD44780 to a parallel cable. I know the wiring's correct because the first one worked till I fried it (in an unrelated project).

This one doesn't work...on power-on it shows the Blocks Of Health but on powering up the LPT connection it flicks over to show a series of repeated, half-contrast characters on the top half of the screen, which sometimes flicker. It's usually "3"s and sometimes the symbol "pi" but I don't suppose it's of any consequence. On changing the timing interval to the recommended 5 and other values, there is a change on the screen, but nothing more useful.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[fraktal]

Right, fixed it....no idea what the problem is, but rebooting fixed it. I will surely go to hell for not obeying the first commandment of tech admins everywhere: "have you tried rebooting?"