New
#11
Let me chew on the other questions for a while.
until then, take a break with this video. inSSIDder shows you where bottlenecks might occur - in the video the narrator says "change your channel number...." but that is done on your router, not with inSSIDer
The vidoes shows you how to Pin your network - I'm pretty sure, it's the one shown on the r-hand side of the windows when you start inSSIDer. You can also click on the network icon in the system tray which shpuld have the network name up top.
1) How can I tell which channel my network is on? (I see it on multiple channels)
Look at the columns for Channel and look at the rows for your network (if you pin your network, it will be at the top)
2) How can I change from one channel to another?
Configure your router for a different channel
3) Does the network automatically change from one channel to another when necessary?
Some routers do, not all though.
4) When I experience a dropout (as described above), will I even see my router on inssider?
Good question. No. Although you should still see your router using inSSIDer on another machne. That is a good test, but any other device connected to the router would suffice. If both devices get fropped, the router might be the culprit. If only your box get dropped, it's more likely your box.
the main purpose of using inSSIDer was to see if a different channel might benefit you.
Launch it and sorrt by channel. Lots of strong signals on the same channel as your router?
Change from channel 1 to channel 6 or 11
If you want to post a screen shot of inSSIDer I can take a quick lookPlease see https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html for the preferred method of posting files and images on Sevenforums
then get back to more trouble shooting.