[Lcdproc] trouble with hd44780

[Andrew Yates]

I have a hd44780 that I'm trying to use with lcdproc via parallel
port. I soldered the connections as the manual describes (8bit
"winamp" style), with the exception of the contrast pin (pin 3 on the
lcd). I was told the lcd would use the default contrast if I connected
pin 3 directly to pin 1/GND, so I did that instead of using the more
complicated procedure in the manual.
The problem is that I can't get anything to show up on the lcd.
I've tested all the connections with my multimeter, and they're all
fine. Someone said the lcd should show a test screen if just the power
and ground are plugged in, but it doesn't do that. I'm using LCDd
0.5.1 and the 2.6.17.6 Linux kernel.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be and how I could fix it?