>So should I be able to tell for sure that it’s working by actually testing the current through the reset pin?
Maybe. Easier to just check for continuity and that pin 1 is either high or low, respectively, when an external signal is disconnected or asserted low.
>As for the capacitor, that handles the auto-reset function, doesn’t it?
It’s the combination of the R and C that makes it work. :)
>Is there a way that I can check the function of the auto-reset reliably?
The circuit should reset when you try to program it.
