AVR programmer failure

[sp33d0]

OK I am building the 50$ robot and I was modifying the servos and I downloaded the Hex file and when I tried to upload the ex file from AVR studio to my microcontroller to make the servo at 0 degrees I got a Connect failed select AVR programmer. Then I thought because I am using a 10 pin head rather then a 6 pin head I needed to try it through ponyprog2000. So I uploaded the hex file to ponyprog and I wen into the port setup and I tested the port and I came back positive yet when I tried to write the hex file to my microcontroller I got a message saying "device missing or unknown device." Did I do something wrong...? What programmer should I use, AVR studio, or ponyprog while I am using a 10 pin head. And why cant I upload the hex file to my servo? Does any of this make any sense to anyone...
sp33d0

[jamort]

sounds like you might possibly have a problem of how you connected the wires onto the ic chip maybe you accidently got something wrong... doublke check it... i think with the ten pen you have to use ponyprog.... im not 100% sure but im pretty sure

[sp33d0]

Well I thought I had checked the connections but I guess Ill check again... thanks for replying
sp33d0

[Miles]

what programming cable are you using? The cheaper one from sparkfun or the official avrispmkII?

[sp33d0]

I am using the cheaper one because by the time people had told me to get the more expensive one I had already bought it. And I checked the connections on my circuit board and I found some mistakes so I fixed them. I went back to ponyprog and uploaded the hex file for modifying the servos and I had it read the files(ponyprog) and the read came back positive so I tried to write it and  it came back positive but nothing happened. Then I reloaded the hex file and immediately tried to write the file and it came back negitive. What am I doing wrong or is it my circuit board which I have thoroughly checked for mistakes and I thinks I had found them all HELP WOULD BE GREAT.
Thanks to all the people who have responded and sorry about putting this problem in electronics when I started the thread I thought I was an electronic question.
sp33d0 

[kpmcgurk]

well, if you are using the cheaper one, you will not be able to program your robot directly from avr studio. you will need to use ponyprog... is everything connected properly?