I have just put the whole kit together to the point of the first text coming on the screen that lets you know that everything works. The problem is, the LCD doesn't come on. I have double checked all of the components' placement, and there is a steady five volts going into the LCD and the microcontroller. What is going wrong?

Lets start with some pictures of you wiring.

Ralph

Most of the time when this happens. there is a wire either missing or in the wrong place. It can also be an incorrect resistor value, like the 1K that is right behind the regulator. If it's a 10K, the LCD will probably not appear to be working, even though it just might be. Double check that and make sure the bands are brown, black and red.(in that order) Some times the orange of a 10K resistor can look red and things get confusing.

It could be that the LCD is on, but the contrast is set so nothing is showing up... make sure you put the proper resistor there, our use a trimpot so you can turn it and see.

BM