Turns out it was a BAUD rate issue.
Seems as though on my development machine, I ran a testing program called lcdproc. This program set the baud rate correctly, so when I would run my own program the rate was already set correctly.

When I put the program on my VIA board, the baud rate was never set ...

HARDWARE SETUP:
LCD2041-WB connected via serial on com2 via the onboard connector at 19200-8N1
VIA EN12000EG mini-itx motherboard
Linux OS (Debian)

ISSUE DESCRIPTION:
When I write to the serial port I get output on the display, it just isn't readable...it's garbage.
I have used the same ...

Thank you for the quick response and help.

These displays do look great...serial sounds like the best way to go.

However, I don't see any of your MOS displays in a 4 line model.
Basically the "MOP-AL204A-BBTW" model looks great, however in a serial model.
Am I missing them? Or maybe it's just a ...

I'm looking to purchase an LCD to test, and eventially add to my line of embedded server products.

Our requirements are as follows:
----------------------------------------------
- Character LCD
- 16(or 20) x 4
- White background with Blue lettering
(or white lettering with blue background ...