PIC interfacing with USBtoUART and then to PC?

[slurp]

Good-day to all,

Kindly find as per title.
I am currently tasked to interface a PIC with a PC.
I've decided to use
1) PIC16F84a
2) USB to UART converter (from cytron)
3) PC (running on Windows XP)
4) Visual Basic 2008/VB6.

Q1) According to my decided hardware /software.
Are there relevant codes/links/resources for communication between the PIC and the USB2UART converter?

Q2) VB codes for communication between PC and the USB2UART converter?

I would appreciate anyone's assistance/guidance as I am poor in programming.
I thank you in advance as this is an important college syllabus and I would like to do well in it.

[temtronic]

First step is to make a loopback connector for your USB<_>Serial module.

Now cut your VB program to send and receive data through the module. Confirm it reallly works, by removing the loopback !
Once you are satisfied the VB program works the way you want, then go and program the PIC with the simple 'rcv a character, send it back program that's in the CCS documentation ( FAQ section, I think). Be sure to use a MAX232 chip or equal.
Make up the correct cable( just 3 wires) and connect the computers.

Pressing a key on the PC should go to the PIC and be 'echoed' back onto the screen. Again, pull the cable off to confirm it works...

[pieter]

The USB interface part is important as it should also have a windows driver for the PC software in order to communicate to your application.
I use the MPC2200 chip from microchip that has a free windows driver. The Only snag: if you run Windows XP, you have to have XP service pack 3 installed. But it works nice. Regards, Pieter

[slurp]

Hi Pieter.

I would like to ask if the mentioned chip MAX232 ..INSTEAD of using this, can i use the UARTtoUSB converter by Cytron Tech.?

Using Max232 will require me to build a circuit right?

thanks.

[PCM programmer]