Hi Robert, yes it is the supplied chip
I extracted the Arduino IDE to a folder on my desktop. In the path C:\Users\admin\Desktop\arduino-1.0.3-windows\arduino-1.0.3\hardware\maniacbug-mighty-1284p-68ed99c I have a boards.txt file and within it there is the following section
##############################################################
bobuino.name=Bobuino
bobuino.upload.protocol=arduino
bobuino.upload.maximum_size=130048
bobuino.upload.speed=115200
bobuino.bootloader.low_fuses=0xff
bobuino.bootloader.high_fuses=0xde
bobuino.bootloader.extended_fuses=0xfd
bobuino.bootloader.path=optiboot
bobuino.bootloader.file=optiboot_atmega1284p.hex
bobuino.bootloader.unlock_bits=0x3F
bobuino.bootloader.lock_bits=0x0F
bobuino.build.mcu=atmega1284p
bobuino.build.f_cpu=16000000L
#bobuino.build.core=arduino:arduino
bobuino.build.core=standard
bobuino.build.variant=bobuino
##############################################################
I have tried selecting the bobuino from the dropdown list of boards in the IDE and still get the same error.
The chip is breadborded on a solderless breadbord, with just supply pins connected, 16mhz xtal and RX / TX lines from the working FDI board and a 10K resistor between RESET and +ve - The power is supplied from the +5v USB feed from the FDI board (in the same way the 328P is powered). I have the DTR line connected to the RESET pin via a series 0.1uf capacitor. I've also tried taking the VREF pin to +5v too.
I've tried using the trick with a series resistor inline with the TX/RX lines. Baud set to 115200, 8bit, no parity, and 1 stop bit (although all other baud rates have been tried)