I must say that 98% of the issues I have with my rig boil down to WiFi/networking, so, no this isn't a silly question to me either.
First, re the hotspot password. I believe when I installed via the script, the hotspot password was something like raspberrypi_password., not 123456789. You can find out for sure by looking in the folder /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/ and finding the file that configures your hotspot (should be obvious from the filename) and then looking at that file (e.g. by running 'sudo cat FILENAME') and there will be a line with the password in plain text.
Second, though the standard WiFi connection to my home wifi usually works, it often doesn't or drops out. As opposed to using the hotspot, my approach is to use the hardwired cable approach--that is, connect a cat5 or cat6 line between the ethernet connector on the RPi and your laptop (if you have a macbookpro like I do, you'll need a ethernet-to-usbC converter) and you should be able to see the RPi at the address you set on script installation (it's possible that that requires some configuration on your laptop). This is a much more reliable/fast connection than the hotspot IMHO, and also probably avoids whatever was messing with my other WiFi connection in the first place. Of course another approach is connecting a monitor and keyboard to the RPi (which is my ultimate work-around), but that takes more time to set up.
I wish I knew why the WiFi is occasionally flakey. I assume the reason is the wimpy WiFi antenna inside the RPi. I've bought this thing which I've seen referenced by Rob
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07695YGLZ/ref..._title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 but haven't tried to install it yet. Given the pain WiFi has caused, I should up the priority on that project.
Hy