Pro Mini not communicating with computer when I try to upload blink program to my Pro Mini, I get this error:

avrdude stk500_getsync() not in sync resp=0x00 


I've tried everything, changing the COM port, different USB cable and even another computer. Here is what I'm dealing with: 

Arduino Pro Mini 328 5v 16M (Fake) 

FT232RL USB to serial adapter 

Nothing is connected to any pins on the Arduino, just trying to get LED to blink. I'm pretty sure the bootloader is installed, because when I hit the reset button, the LED blinks. I've tested the FTDI chip by connecting the TX and RX pins together, and it does echo in the serial monitor.
Help appreciated!
You did set the Serial Port and then tell the Arduino IDE that it's talking to a Pro Mini right?

This gets me every time I switch between my Nano &amp; Uno.

On the main menu
[Tools]->[Board]=>"Arduino Pro or Pro Mini (5V, 16 MHz) w/ ATmega 328"

I've also had this problem trying to use a longer USB cable, it just wouldn't work.  The stock cable (shorter) worked fine.