AD7706 analogue front end trouble

Hi all,

I'm driving myself crazy trying to get the ad7706 set up.  The data sheet says it need to have its registers filled up before data can be read.... I've followed all the instructions ad nausium and double checked every thing with an oscilliscope.   The dataready pin is always high ie not ready and if I try to read anyway no data comes out.   I can't get any sign of life out of the chip.    It looked real good for my purpose (amp meter with 0.002ohm sense resistor)  so I bought several.   Figured that maybe I'd fried it so I donned my anti static gear and tried another one.   Same thing!  

Someone please help me get any sign of life out of this chip!

Thanks

Arie

Ps I'm using a propeller chip @ 100mhz and a 5mhz crystal for the adc set for internal division by two (2.5mhz)