no FTDI chip on the board...
its on the 'usb/FTDI' cable...
there is a diode. (1)..... at the Vin area
Also.. to be clear.. my cable has NO RESET OR DTR pin/wire to use.. my cable ONLY has 4 wires.
GND
5v+
TX
RX
NO RESET or DTR pin to use on the cable..
I have used this cable many times before.. on a standalone BREADBOARD set-up.. flashes all my DIP style chips fine..
this is my FIRST Atmega 328QTFN chip Ive ever used.. and this is already asemebeld..on a PCB (pictured above.. that IS the board Im using... trying to upload sketches too).
I am taking the DTR pin ON the board... and the GND (on the board.. next I/O pin to the DTR pin).. and have those both going to a mom switch.
but it seems to do NOTHING!..
I then take SAME switch.. using same GND I/O pad..... but using the RESET pin directly on the Atmega chip...
(when I press the button.. I do see red led flash 2 times..etc).. but never accepts the sketch?
sorry.. hope that makes it more clear??
anyone got some suggestions? 
thanks