LED dotmatrix is unable to display any character

I have created all the hardware of 5x7 LED Dotmatrix ( without UDN 2981 , IC not available in local market) as per the instructions given in "Dotmatrix Updated Design Project". Then programmed the AT89S52 using a programmer (purchased from market). Atter connecting to power supply LED displays only moving blocks.
Please tell me how to send character on LED display.

UDN2981 is required to drive the LED matrix, are you using any alternative? You can send display data from serial port. But by default you should be able to see something.