Hi there I have just received my arduino mini. It's a lovely little thing 
I've got it wired up and the bootloader is working as I get the flashing light on p13. I have two question regarding programming it I have the rx, tx link up to a serial port but on the tx line it has a constant pulse about 10 - 20 ms high and 100 ms low. can't remember the exact values as I haven't got the scope pluged in at the moment. is this normal.
I have tried to program the chip with the software provided (very nice and simple). but it just every says no chip found or error in download. I've tested the line with other software and that works. When I scope the line when it's trying to download and nothing! Any ideas? (using windows).
The other question is whether I can use parallex board of education to program it e.g. ever plug it in or take the tx, rx and wire them into the breadboard if this can work it would make my life easier as I can use the usb converter chip.
any ideas of getting this working would be appreciated.
bren