Serial port -read byte

[Siupo]

hi all,
        I want to connect the serial port to a terminal that is not serial
communication format. I just want to check the pin whether it is high or
low. I have tried to use SerReceive(SerialRef,a,length,5,&err) to check
it, but it say fatalerror. it is because there is no stops ?
        Thanks!
        
        Hope U :-) every second!        

E r i c ���_                                            
                                                           
             Electrical and Electronic Engineering
       The  Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
                URL: http://home.ust.hk/~ee_slm