after connecting the cable to PC
right click on my computer
“devise manager”
there you will find the usb to comport
if it is not there there mustbe a problem with the cable
try to update the driver
which microcontroller you are using
if you want to use 8051 i preffer to use P89V51RD2 microcontroller which can be programmed through serial cable just a MAX232 is required
in case of AVR microcontrollers,all AVR mcu’s can be programed through serial port(DB9) use “ponyprog”. the programming cable is very simple to make
all the best