user19566: Arduino IDE is throwing this error when uploading sketches - avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
The problem arose just after I uploaded a blink sketch to my Arduino Mini, which worked absolutely fine. After the successful upload I tried to upload a different sketch and got the error.
I thought I had destroyed the boot loader somehow and was about to get out the Bus Pirate for ICSP but I decided to try another Arduino Mini I had lying around (albeit from another manufacturer) and got the same error.
So I'm convinced it's a driver issue as I successfully uploaded a sketch (it still runs as we speak!) then just magically without changing ANYTHING I can no longer upload.
In a futile attempt to get back to work I've done the following:
Switched the RX-TX lines (clearly not the issue as the first upload worked)
Used a different FTDI cable
used a  different programmer
(FTDI 5V/3.3V USB to TTL Basic FT232 FIO Programmer)
(USB to TTL Serial UART RS232 Adaptor (PL2303HX)
I'm fairly certain these use different drivers - FTDI and Prolific
Please help me I'm about to murder something :'(
Screencaps of error and device manager - Imgur

user19566: 
Is it this?
"To upload a new sketch to the Arduino Mini, you need to press the reset button >on the board immediately before pressing the upload button in the Arduino >environment."
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoMini

You sir, are a hero.
I don't even know how I accidentally did this sequence to upload the first sketch... Perhaps I plugged the USB to Serial UART in to the USB port and quickly pressed upload? Having got the first sketch on there really mixed me up :/
Solution:

Click upload sketch - It will show 'Compiling Sketch'
Immediately after clicking upload, hold the reset button down on the Arduino mini
Release the reset button when 'Compiling Sketch' turns in to 'Uploading'


user19523: Is it this?
"To upload a new sketch to the Arduino Mini, you need to press the reset button on the board immediately before pressing the upload button in the Arduino environment."
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoMini

19566: <p>Arduino IDE is throwing this error when uploading sketches - <strong>avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding</strong></p>

<p>The problem arose just after I uploaded a blink sketch to my Arduino Mini, which worked absolutely fine. After the successful upload I tried to upload a different sketch and got the error.</p>

<p>I thought I had destroyed the boot loader somehow and was about to get out the Bus Pirate for ICSP but I decided to try another Arduino Mini I had lying around (albeit from another manufacturer) and got the same error.</p>

<p>So I'm convinced it's a driver issue as I successfully uploaded a sketch (it still runs as we speak!) then just magically without changing <strong>ANYTHING</strong> I can no longer upload.</p>

<p>In a futile attempt to get back to work I've done the following:
Switched the RX-TX lines (clearly not the issue as the first upload worked)
Used a different FTDI cable
used a  different programmer
(FTDI 5V/3.3V USB to TTL Basic FT232 FIO Programmer)
(USB to TTL Serial UART RS232 Adaptor (PL2303HX)
I'm fairly certain these use different drivers - FTDI and Prolific</p>

<p>Please help me I'm about to murder something :'(</p>

<p><a href="https://imgur.com/a/zkTcX" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Screencaps of error and device manager - Imgur</a></p>
 19566: <blockquote>
  <p>Is it this?</p>
  
  <p>"To upload a new sketch to the Arduino Mini, you need to press the reset button >on the board immediately before pressing the upload button in the Arduino >environment."</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoMini" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoMini</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>You sir, are a hero.</p>

<p>I don't even know how I accidentally did this sequence to upload the first sketch... Perhaps I plugged the USB to Serial UART in to the USB port and quickly pressed upload? Having got the first sketch on there really mixed me up :/</p>

<p>Solution:</p>

<ol>
<li>Click upload sketch - It will show 'Compiling Sketch'</li>
<li>Immediately after clicking upload, hold the reset button down on the Arduino mini</li>
<li>Release the reset button when 'Compiling Sketch' turns in to 'Uploading'</li>
</ol>
 19523: <p>Is it this?</p>

<p>"To upload a new sketch to the Arduino Mini, you need to press the reset button on the board immediately before pressing the upload button in the Arduino environment."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoMini" rel="nofollow">https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoMini</a></p>
