programming atmel chip

i need to program the at89c51ed2(atmel chip). i am using the usb-rs232
for this purpose. all my circuit connections are properly wired n
everyhting recheked a thousand times. but still, the programming
software that i use, in order to program the chip, gives me a
'connection time out' error. have tried all sorts of RESET dance that
have been specified in the datasheet, but still no result.....wat
could possibly be wrong...

i am using the max232n chipfor the rs232 connection to
controller.....also tried flash magic programming software for the
same purpose ...but it failed too....

pls help me out.......