Black initialization bars problem!

[PacketStorm4]

Hello all,
Very new to LCD smartie, and after botching up 1 LCD =( i have brought 2 new 2x16 character blue LCD's with the HD44780 controller and they look fantastic!
Carn't wait to use them!!
Just a brief hopefully simple question, i cannot seem to get rid of the initial black bars (or white bars in my case ) at the top of the LCD, when i first turn the computer on =(
What im using:
Server 2003
LCD smartie 5.4
my pin out is:

LCD
1 - GROUND
2 - +5v
3 - GROUND
4 - pin 16
5 - GROUND
6 - pin 1
7 - pin 2
8 - pin 3
9 - pin 4
10 - pin 5
11 - pin 6
12 - pin 7
13 - pin 8
14 - pin 9


Now, i have pin 4 (on LCD) to pin 16 on DB connector, some people say use 16? some people say 17? im confuzzled.

I have also installed port95nt.exe
If you need to know anything further , please ask!

I have used the search function, but please don't go hard on me if iv'e missed something

Thanks,
PacketStorm4

[limbo]

The white bars are indicating the correct power up of your LCD device.
In order to control the LCD using the program you have to use the following diagrams http://lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net/circuits.htm
depending to your LCD documentation and pinout (are you using LCD module with backlight? 16 pin layout?).

Please check the schematics and your LCD documentation (if any).
Be careful of the power connections... the data connections are not dangerous on most times... but the power is

After that you have to select the correct driver for your parallel connection (eg HD44780) and port address (eg LPT1).

Hit back if you need more help.
Good luck

[PacketStorm4]

Thanks Limbo,
I shall get give it a crack later today (1:20am) and ill post to see how i go.
I should have probably looked at the pin out on the data sheet first

Once again thanks!

[PacketStorm4]

Hello again,
i ended up swapping pin 16 to pin 17 on the DB connector and its working fine!
Thanks for making this awsome program
PacketStorm4