#1 I assume you have your serial connection correct...
#2 the easiest way using Amiga Explorer is if you put a blank disk in the drive and drag the ADF to that instead of the hard drive (which it sounds like you've done)
If you're not using amiga explorer you will need to investigate some ADF writing software which is included somewhere in Amiga Forever. let me know if you can't find this
On the amiga go to the folder you put the .adf and right click the workbench title and select Window -> Show -> All Files to see that ADF