I HAVE A ARDUINO, IT WAS WORKING AND I HAD TO REFRESH MY COMPUTER. PRIOR TO THAT IT WAS WORKING FINE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING IN THE FAQ SECTION AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TI UPLOAD ANYTHING TO THE BOARD? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, I AM OUT OF OPTIONS, THANKS, I HAVE BEEN USING A ARDIUNO MINI BOARD AND ALSO A RADIO SHACK BOARD BUT THEY BOTH WORKED BEFORE. ANYBODY, SUGGESTIONS. HELP!
Reset. Whenever this pin is connected to ground, the Arduino Mini resets.
Let's take things step by step.
Step 1: When you plug in the Arduino does it show up in the Tools->Port menu?
Please don't use caps-lock, that is yelling.
sorry about the cap lock on, anyway, it is a UNO, and i am using windows 8. Yes i have reloaded it several times, changed the ports and yes it does show up correctly as UNO on the tools and it is on port 4 now. I have done that repeatedly and still getting the same message?
wlwadsworth:
and still getting the same message?
Which you did not post....
I have a arduino UNO, and i am using windows 8. I have reloaded it several times, changed the ports and it does show up correctly as UNO on the tools and it is on port 4 now. I have done that repeatedly and still getting this message?
Arduino: 1.6.7 (Windows 8), Board: "Arduino/Genuino Uno"
Sketch uses 1,030 bytes (3%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32,256 bytes.
Global variables use 9 bytes (0%) of dynamic memory, leaving 2,039 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2,048 bytes.
avrdude: ser_open(): can't open device "\.\COM4": The system cannot find the file specified.
Problem uploading to board. See http://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload for suggestions.
This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
enabled in File > Preferences.
And sorry i have not listed everything th at i have done, every time i have written a note here, but i would think that if you can read this post you can figure out that the "same message" would mean that i am getting the message that i sent here to ask for help with? Which is "Problem uploading to board". I am new at this and i am sorry that have not given complete information in the past, I will work on that in the future.
Is the Arduino indeed COM4?
Open up Device Manager, check for !. If non found, open the properties of the Uno and check the COM number. But I think it's not 4 
ok just checked device manager and could not find an "explanation point" anywhere in the manager? If that is what you mean, i am not sure what exactly your asking for here? And opening the uno properties, yes it does indicate that it is on com4?
I guess i need you to be more specific about what your asking so i can thoroughly check it out, thank you.
it seems like no one out there has a solution for me to fix this problem with, I cant figure it out and i am very frustrated with this entire situation, sorry for the negativity, but i seem to not be able to find the right people to help me fix this?
wlwadsworth:
it seems like no one out there has a solution for me to fix this problem with, I cant figure it out and i am very frustrated with this entire situation, sorry for the negativity, but i seem to not be able to find the right people to help me fix this?
It's not a matter of the wrong people. You must understand that we can only go by the information you give. Based on that information, all of the correct questions have been asked and suggestions made. Don't blame the people who try to help you.
You said "I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING IN THE FAQ SECTION". None of us are going to take the time to read the FAQ section to try to work out exactly what you've already tried. You should have listed exactly what you'd tried. Since you didn't, those that have tried to help you have had to start from the very beginning.
And saying in your opening post that it was an Arduino Mini didn't help, since it's actually a UNO. 
Do you have anything connected to digital pins 0 and/or 1?
Have you tried disconnecting everything from the board and just uploading "Blink"?
Have you tried a different USB cable?
Do you have another UNO, (or other), Arduino board to see if you can upload to it? (This would help to isolate the problem and determine whether the problem is related to your settings or the UNO board.)
If the Arduino is indeed assigned port 4 then
avrdude: ser_open(): can't open device "\.\COM4": The system cannot find the file specified.
is a weird error. The error says the port does not exist...
But like OldSteve says, remote troubleshooting is hard. We have to go by what you say. If you want to I can check it by using TeamView. It's easier then typing questions and waiting. If you'll like that, just PM me.
Well thanks to all that had input, bu t i figured it out myself and got it loaded properly and running well. I deleted everything from Arduino and disabled all the com ports that it was once attached to and reloaded everything and this time it loaded properly. Not really sure of what i did except removing and re downloading all software and reloading the hardware.
take care all
Wendell