1- Connect the 'hacked cable' to the breadboard/Arduino (as you do it for uploading a sketch) -CHECK
2- Set the multimeter to the Voltage measuing range and ground the multimeter to 'hacked cable' and breadboard/Arduino. -CHECK
3- Connect the other prob of multimeter (red) to one of the pads at the 'hacked cable' little PCB (find a pad that has voltage) -CHECK
4- Now you have to upload a sketck, and look at your multimeter to see activity. -CHECK
this was exactly how I had done it..
To find the DTR pad at the 'hacked cable' look after the pad which is normally high (has voltag) and become low (for a few seconds) when you upload a sketch.
this is what I was missing.. I think I was checking for it to be 'backwards'..
I was thinking when I probe'd the pads..it would state 0v..and then when I uploaded a sketch..and hit the rest button..I would see an INCREASE in voltage (hence resetting the Arduino/chip)
I have prob'd MANY pins.. most are @ 0.00v or 0.01v fluxuating..
and when I uploaded a sketch..only sometimes Id see a slight increase..but when actually TESTED to be the DTR pin/pad..didnt work.
I'll go back and look for the correct behavior now.
thanks