Getting bottom row of black boxes with LCD Display on atmega32 MCU?

Question

I need some help with this, I am a completely new to programing MCU's but I am trying my best to get this working and I could relay use some help. I am using the Sparkfun Basic 16x2 Character LCD along with a atmega32 MCU. Basically, the bottom row is full with black boxes and I cannot figure out why!

Here is my code:

/*
 * LCD.c
 *
 * Created: 11/29/2014 5:12:36 PM
 *  Author: John August
 */ 

#define F_CPU 16000000UL // 16 MHz clock speed
#include <avr/io.h>
#include <util/delay.h>

// Define LCD I/O Pins (8 Bit Mode)
#define LCD_PORT PORTD
#define LCD_PORT_DDR DDRD

// Define LCD Command Pins
#define LCD_CMD PORTC
#define LCD_CMD_DDR DDRC
#define RS PINC7 // Register Select
#define RW PINC6 // Read = 1 and Write = 0
#define EN PINC5 // Enable 

void isBusy_LCD(void);
void Awaken_LCD(void);
void Send_CMD (unsigned char command);
void Send_CHAR (unsigned char character);

int main(void)
{
_delay_ms(50);
LCD_CMD_DDR |= 1<<RS | 1<<RW | EN<<1; 
_delay_ms(50);

Send_CMD(0x01);  // Clear the screen 0x01 = 00000001
_delay_ms(50);
Send_CMD(0x38); // Put LCD in 8-bit mode
_delay_us(100);
Send_CMD(0b00001110); // Control Cursor 
_delay_us(50);
Send_CHAR(0x41); // Display "A"

while(1)
{
}
}

// Check if the LCD is busy
void isBusy_LCD(void)
{
LCD_PORT_DDR = 0;
LCD_CMD |= 1<<RW;
LCD_CMD &= ~1<<RS;

while(LCD_PORT >= 0x80) //D7 is "HIGH" when busy, D7=0b1000000 (check read busy flag)
{
    Awaken_LCD();
}

LCD_PORT_DDR = 0xFF; // 0xFF = 0b11111111
}

void Awaken_LCD(void)
{
LCD_CMD |= 1<< EN;
asm volatile ("nop"); // asm = Inline low level assembler
asm volatile ("nop"); // "nop" = NoOperation (for delay)
LCD_CMD &= ~1<<EN;
}

// Send a command to the LCD
void Send_CMD (unsigned char command)
{
isBusy_LCD();
LCD_PORT = command;
LCD_CMD &= ~(1<<RW); // Set R/W to 0 (write)
LCD_CMD &= ~(1<<EN);  // Set Enable to 0
Awaken_LCD();
LCD_PORT = 0;
}

void Send_CHAR (unsigned char character)
{
isBusy_LCD();
LCD_PORT = character;
LCD_CMD &= ~(1<<RW);  // Set R/W to 0 (write)
LCD_CMD |=  (1<<RS);  // Set Enable to 1
Awaken_LCD();
LCD_PORT = 0;
}

I messed around with the V0 contrast pin, but adjustments will either turn the black boxes "transparent" or turn the whole screen full of black boxes. I think this is a code issue.

Here is a picture of the circuit:

Basically it follows this schematic. With the exception that I am using port C for RS, RW, and Enable. Port D is for DB0 through DB7 of the LCD.

AVR        LCD
PC7-------> RS
PC6-------> RW
PC5-------> EN

PD0-------> DB0
PD1-------> DB1
PD2-------> DB2
PD3-------> DB3
PD4-------> DB4
PD5-------> DB5
PD6-------> DB6
PD7-------> DB7

Answer 1

Your initialization looks completely wrong. Check some HD44780 datasheet. There is always a follow path for 8-bit mode and 4-bit mode initialization. Remember that you are not allowed to check 'Busy Flag' during the first three operations of initialization.

Answer 2

Is the LCD initialized correctly ? I don't see any initialization commands in your code. Plus check your circuit wiring as Funkguy said in his comment.

The traditional HD44780 LCD (not sure of your model) has to be initialized with some sequence of commands: Function set [Interface, font size, etc], display type, cursor shift, and some other info. Without these commands and the proper delay used the LCD won't work correctly.