Hello everyone, apologies for the lengthy post, but please bear with me. I'm having a small problem with my Arduino Uno and I believe context is necessary here.

So I bought my Arduino Uno maybe a year ago and did some simple projects with it mostly involving led lights. However, I stopped using it like 6 months ago (don't remember why) .

I decided to get back into it now but I'm having a problem connecting it to my pc and uploading sketches. I reinstalled windows during my time away from the arduino and had to redownload the compiler and drivers, which should be easy enough except that windows labeled the arduino as generic usb-serial when i connected it. Even after manually installing the drivers (which should have been automatic) and assigning to com port 6, I still get an error when uploading sketches which says that it can't set the com state for com port 6. Can someone explain this error and ways of fixing it?

Also, I've noticed that my RX light is always on, which signifies that the arduino is constantly receiving commands, this maybe the source of the problem. I might have created this while working on my last project.

The reset button does not solve it, but I've read that it needs to be pushed at specific intervals. Can someone walk me through this? What is this interval and how do I hit it?

I believe the RX light being on and my being unable to upload sketches are connected. If someone has another idea as to why I cannot upload, please let me know.

Also, please tell me in the comments if you need more information. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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EDIT: Tried to hold reset state by running wire from RST to GRND. Did not work. Here's the error message: Arduino: 1.6.10 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino/Genuino Uno"

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Sketch uses 928 bytes (2%) 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 set com-state for "\\.\COM6"

An error occurred while uploading the sketch

Let me know if the verbose version is needed.

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EDIT 2 : I have confirmed that the problem is that my pc cannot recognize the arduino. The name of the board is not listed next to the name of the port, and when going into serial monitor and typing in a message, I get no echo.

EDIT (Final): Downloaded and installed CH340 driver from chinese manufacturer’s website. Arduino is now working as it should. I guess what we learned today is to never buy clones.