It just might be defective, but when I try to upload sketch,
Arduino and FT232RL module's LEDs blink back and forth a few times giving me hope, then Arduino goes back to running its already loaded sketch. I get the AVRdude out of sync message.
I've tried selecting all the boards and different programmers in the list, downgraded the FTDI driver, and manually configuring the com port settings (also read somewhere about Set RTS On Close).
No luck and I'm out of ideas.
Did you try a manual reset when uploading, or swapping the tx/rx lines
Do you have a link to the FT232RL module
My Arduino chip is on a breadboard and I can program it using an OSEPP FTDI board. I also have a couple of mini pro 328s that work with the OSEPP programmer, but nothing with the ebay module.
On the breadboard, I did swap the RX/TX lines - these are being fed through 1k resistors, and I also removed the resistors once.
I tried several variations of pressing the reset button, holding until program byte count is displayed, before/after upload, etc.
This is the module I'm working with:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-x-FT232RL-USB-to-Serial-adapter-module-USB-TO-232-Arduino-download-cable-/130748390636?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:3160
If I can't get it to work, I'd like to try some different ones as I need a couple more anyway.
Thanks
So i guess a loopback test will fail?
I am using one of these, and i've seen others doing the same.
I will test the loopback tonight...I like your module better, cheaper and comes with more... 
loopback failed
The latest VCP win driver appears to have a problem. All I get on it when I loop back is 00 (hex)
Use the older version and it will work - 2.08.24
For some reason, Likely the driver as noted but I don't have good luck with the CP2102 devices but always with the FTDI232 modules.. It tool some digging and an accident to find that in my case it was the driver for the CP2102... I accidently re installed something and then my 2102 module started working.
Doc
I think that is the driver I tried, the FTDI driver site has one older version available. Maybe I'll look for others and try again...
P.S., I was going to ask a similar question about an ICSP (ISP) USBasp programmer I bought from the same vendor, ATMEGA8 chip and it seems more complicated because there is driver, firmware, and hardware incompatibilities to consider. I was trying USBasp - USB programmer for Atmel AVR controllers - fischl.de driver, but might need to flash the chip as well...lots to read on that topic. I already flashed the bootloader on all my bare 328p chips using Arduino as ISP, so not critical now...
Hello, i am having the same issue and i have the same usb to serial converter you have. did you ever figure out what was wrong?
I think the one I had was defective and got another one, slightly different brand. It required the older driver that is still available on the FTDI site. The installer is easier, but if you manually update the FTDI device driver, you will also need to manually update the USB bus driver - both from the properties of the item in the Windows device manager...
C2:
I think the one I had was defective and got another one, slightly different brand. It required the older driver that is still available on the FTDI site. The installer is easier, but if you manually update the FTDI device driver, you will also need to manually update the USB bus driver - both from the properties of the item in the Windows device manager...
OMG YOU ARE A LIFE SAVOR! (enough caps for today)
I received one of these clones too and only got 0x00 back. Some threads suggested going back to 2.8.24 .. but I only downgraded the FTDI device driver and never the "USB bus device".
As you suggest update BOTH drivers: The one in the "COM-Port tab" and the other one in "USB-Controllers" too!
ty man!
Work for me when I change the type of card to Arduino Dueminlanov w/ATMega328 on the option menu before start uploading.
I use the last driver from http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm, 2.8.30 x64 on windows 8 x64.
8)
phonedawgz:
The latest VCP win driver appears to have a problem. All I get on it when I loop back is 00 (hex)Use the older version and it will work - 2.08.24
Nice work.... would you be so kind and mybe post a LINK to the older version. On the FTD... site there is only the newst version 30... something
Sincerely, VS