Cant Flash Nano in Air Manager

[sportster64]

Running Windows 11, downloaded and installed AirManger 4.1 , Running in Demo mode
Connected a Nano via USB, PC sees it on COM6
getting the following error when attempting to Flash

avrdude.exe: ser_open(): can't open device "\\.\COM6": Access is denied.

Is this because of Demo Mode ?

[Ralph]

No, that means that it is not able to open the COM port, because it is blocked/claimed by different software. Or...
Make sure that when flashing the Nano, and it is an older version or a clone, that you select 'Use old bootloader'.

[sportster64]

yes
I have both checkboxes checked, since it is a clone I am using.
Something is blocking access to the COM6 port,
I have the Arduino plugged into the computer, not sure what would be blocking it ?

[sportster64]

tried a different port on the computer.
it Now shows up at COM5
different error now...

Closed COM port...

avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d

[Ralph]

Is it a genuine Arduino Nano?

[sportster64]

update:
ok
so even though this is a clone, I unchecked "'Use old bootloader'.
and it then flashed the Arduino successfully