The errors are solved in the code now, it was apparently a conflict of joystick library, the error info was posted up in the earlier thread, but the board is now being a right little monkey, it will not reset and I cannot get any code to upload to it, I tried setting it as a pro mini, a micro and a leonardo in my frustration to get it working, as well as a sparkfun pro micro. Its going into the garbage very soon.
Hi,
What OS are you running and what version of the IDE?
Does the IDE let you select a COM port?
Have you rebooted the IDE?
What has resetting the Pro Mini got to do with uploading code?
Tom... 
Hi - I'm on Windows 10, Arduino version 1.8.13
Only COM port to select is COM1 (Tools/port dropdown)
Resetting (pro micro, not pro mini) is whats recommended to go back into bootloader mode when code is not loading.
Hi,
Does the OS make a tune/noise when you plug the Pro Mini in?
If you have the Pro Micro unplugged does the COM1 disappear or ghost to show it isn't connected?
Thanks.. Tom....
Yes it chimes that bing-bong sound when it is connected or unplugged, and also when the rest terminals are shorted, that starts the dog barking as it thinks its the doorbell.
Loading up the Arduino software there is still the last selection showing in tools > port > COM1 whether the board is connected or unplugged.
You may have lost the bootloader. You can burn a new one with the ArduinoISP sketch and hardware connections (documented on this site).
Does hardware connections mean buying an arduino uno or similar? Or can I do it via windows 10 & usb - but how can it communicate when com1 is only channel?
aarg:
You may have lost the bootloader. You can burn a new one with the ArduinoISP sketch and hardware connections (documented on this site).
Could you asist by showing me where on the site I can investigate further? There is a lot of useful but very technical information on this site and I need guidance as to the correct part you refer to.
Thanks