Some feedback:
From the USB to Serial module to the ESP12F Adapter board as follows:
5V+ to VIN
GND to GND
RXD to RXD
TXD to TXD
No bridging or resistors or anything.
Problem was that the PL2303HX driver in Win 10 does not support the module anymore. Had to install an older driver to make it work.
There after all AT and Arduino IDE commands worked.
The driver is still giving me issues but at least I got it to work. Windows keep updating the driver back to the newer version that doesn't support the module. Will find a work around for this.
Thanks the assist.