Bluepill -- STlink V2 -- GDB server -- All Troubleshooting steps taken -- Problem Persists

[learner]

Background:
I recently bought a STM32 blue pill and STLink V2 online. This is my first time using a STM board, I am quite familiar with arduino, esp and 8051(Proteus simulation).

Problem:
I have attached the 'error.png' file below it is a 'failed to start GDB server error' (for people who cannot for some reason see the file). I have done the following troubleshooting steps, which I found on chatgpt, youtube and this community:
1) Check debugger configuration settings. (attached screenshots)
2) Tried lowering the debug frequency from 'Auto'.
3) Tried all reset behaviors: 'Connect under reset', 'Software reset' etc...
4) Upgraded the stlink firmware
5) Checked and found 'STM32 STlink' is showing up in the device manager
6) Only have windows defender on my laptop, still I excluded entire 'STM32CubeIDE_1.19.0' folder.
7) Re-did the wiring and everything seems correct.
8) Rebooted everything twice and didn't work
9) Tried clean the project, delete and remake the debug configuration file and complete build a new project and nothing worked.
10) Tried my friend's laptop and a different blue pill and STLink V1, didn't work
11) Tried reinstalling stlink GDB server from https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/st-link-server.html and didn't work

At this point I think I tried everything I could find online, I really hope someone from this community helps me find where I went wrong, or if I am making some silly mistake. Also, I tried using the STM32CubeProgrammer and the code flashes just fine (I still want to try the debugger). 

Regards and Thank you for reading this long query!

[learner]

It would be really helpful if the fake STM32F103C8T6 didn't show up in the target selector in STM32CubeIDE

Also, it shows up on ST's website as a valid product: https://estore.st.com/en/stm32f103c8t6-cpn.html

Also, shows up on digiKey, Mouser etc.

I am pretty sure ST sells it as a valid product, anyways I already looked for the nucleo f103 board you suggested from mouser and am buying it.

[learner]

I understand ST cannot completely control the market but the least they can do is make a youtube video or a webpage, creating awareness about bluepill not being a ST product and making people aware of fake versions online, or maybe provide at least one approved seller that sells the bluepill board (if they want to sell the MCU), so that a beginner buyer has at least one option to get their hands on a cheap board that is not fake. 

[mƎALLEm · Accepted solution]

STM32F103C8T6 is a ST MCU part number and it was copied by Chinese. So removing that part number has no sense. What we are sure about is that the chip soldered on the Blue-pill board with STM32F103C8T6 marking is counterfeit.

[learner]

Yes I understand. Thank you!