Arduino Pro Mini Port Not Found

Hello, I am having trouble getting my arduino pro mini(Inland clone) to show up in the Arduino IDE ports so I can use it. I am using an Inland USB to RS232 Adapter. The adapter powers up the board and the example blink sketch(pre loaded from factory) runs just fine. I have read numerous threads on the topic and the only solution I can find is to download drivers. I have downloaded and installed just about every related driver I can find. Here are two of the threads I have read:
https://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=397450.0

I have used a multi meter continuity function to double check that all of the pins are making good contact from the pro mini board and the RS232 Adapter. I am at a loss at this point, anyone that can provide any help would be greatly appreciated!
Side note: I have an Inland mega clone that works just as expected when I plug it in. Also, the mini board gets hot seconds after plugging in.

does the adapter show up in Device Manager?

A link to the actual adaptor would be nice.
Also don't forget TX goes to RX and RX to TX etc.

Also ensure that its not a 3.3 volt mini getting 5 volts as that would warm it up nicely.

Ballscrewbob2:
A link to the actual adaptor would be nice.
Also don't forget TX goes to RX and RX to TX etc.

Also ensure that its not a 3.3 volt mini getting 5 volts as that would warm it up nicely.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/432350/FTDI_Adapter_USB_Controller
There's the exact one I bought from micro center. I triple checked that all of the pins are going to the right place, and have even tried a few different orientations with the pins just in case I was doing it wrong.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/431996/Arduino_Pro_Mini_Board Here is a link to the board I have. Both the adapter and the board are inland products. The board is labeled as a 5v board, and gets really hot even if I give it 3.3v.

rednez:
does the adapter show up in Device Manager?

This was a great question to ask! I had seen a few mentions of people using cables without data lines but didn't think much of it. Well after having you ask this I thought I'd try a different cable and it works! Thanks for the extra push I needed!

ClydeFrog04:
This was a great question to ask! I had seen a few mentions of people using cables without data lines but didn't think much of it. Well after having you ask this I thought I'd try a different cable and it works! Thanks for the extra push I needed!

you're welcome, im glad i helped