How to Test Functionality

In this blog post I shall be showing you a variety of ways on how to test your computers functionality including how to check if the correct device drivers are installed, checking and change default folder settings, correct data and time is set and numerous other functionality tests.

That Software applications open and work as Intended (Test 1) 
& Desktop shortcuts go the correct places (Test 2)

Step 1 - Test 1

The first step I took was to open and create the following table in Microsoft Office Word to ensure that this software program works correctly. I also opened all other Microsoft Office programs to ensure they all opened correctly.

Test number	What is being tested	How I've tested it	Result
1	Microsoft Office opens and works as intended	By creating this table within Microsoft Office Word	Works correctly.
2	Shortcuts take me to the correct place and show the correct files	By opening shortcuts	Works correctly.

Here is Microsoft Office Word open with the table I created to show that this software is working as intended:

The second part of this heading involves making sure the desktop shortcuts I have work properly, I shall show you how to check this with the help of images.

Step 1 - Test 2

Here you can see two desktop shortcuts on my desktop, one is Microsoft office word file and the other is a file saved in my drop-box.

Step 2

In the image below you can see me right clicking the shortcut icon and then selecting 'open'. I carried out the same process for the other desktop shortcut beside it.

Step 3

As you can see the shortcut worked and the file has opened correctly.

Ensuring Correct Date and Time - Test 3

Within this section of my blog post I shall be showing you how to ensure that you have set the correct data and time and that the correct data and time is showing on your computer.

Step 1

You need to first right click on the Date and Time in the bottom right hand side of your computer monitor. When you do this the image below should appear (or something similar). Select the 'Adjust data/time' action.

Step 2

Once you have completed 'Step 1' you should receive a pop-up box with three tabs along the top of it. You need to select the tab that says 'Internet Time'. You then need to select 'Change data and time'.

Step 3

After the completion of step 2 you will then receive a pop-up box similar to the one below, you need to left click on the 'Change Settings' option

Step 4

In this final step you can the change the data and time, you can change the server that the computer needs to be synchronized to although it is usually on the correct one. Once you are happy with the server the computer is synchronized to you can click 'Update now' and the data and time will be updated or changed if needed.

Ensuring Default Folder Settings are Correct - Test 4

In this test I shall be ensuring and checking that the default folder settings are correct on a Microsoft Office Word file and if they are not how I will be changing them.

Step 1

You first need to open a word document, then click on 'File' at the top left of your computer monitor which will give you various options to choose from. You need to select the button called 'Option'.

Step 2

After you have selected 'Option' in the file tab of Microsoft Office Word you be given a pop-up box with other options to select. You need to select 'Save' which is located on the left hand side of the pop-up box.

Step 3

Once you are in the 'Save' options you can change the settings of where and how to save the file. In this case we need to ensure that the default folder settings are correct. As you can see from the above image I have not selected a default folder. To choose a default folder I need to click on the 'Browse' button next the text that says 'Default file location'. This will leave you with a screen like the below image. You can then select the default folder you would like.

Step 4

As you can see I have selected my default folder to be 'ICT'. I then saved this file of which saved into the correct folder.

Ensuring Correct Device Drivers are Installed - Test 5

In this final test of functionality I shall be ensuring that the correct device drivers installed.

Step 1

You need to first access 'Control Panel' and select 'Hardware and Sound' and the finally select 'Device manager'. You should see an image similar to the one below this step and text.

Step 2

To check if you have the most up to date device driver you simply need to choose a device that you want to update or see if it needs updates. In the image below it is my 'Network Adapter' I simply need to right click the icon/text where it says 'Network Adapter' and select 'Update Driver software' from the drop down menu after you have right clicked it.

Step 3

You will then get a pop-up box, if you have a physical update on a USB stick or CD then select the bottom option which is 'Browse' and select the update, this will then update and install automatically. If you do not have an update on a USB / CD then select 'search automatically.

Step 4

If you select 'Search automatically' the computer will search the internet for updates and if there are updates it will automatically start to update the driver and install the update.

Step 5

If you have the latest driver you will see something similar to the image below. You can update each device driver in the same way if you need to.

Test table

Test number	What is being tested	How I’ve tested it	Result
1	Microsoft Office opens and works as intended	By creating this table within Microsoft Office Word	Works correctly.
2	Shortcuts take me to the correct place and show the correct files	By opening shortcuts	Works correctly.
3	Ensuring correct Date and Time	By synchronizing the date and time with the internet	Works correctly.
4	Ensuring Default folder settings are correct	By looking into what the default folder settings are and changing them if necessary	Works correctly.
5	Ensuring correct device drivers are installed	Checking ‘Device Manager’ for any updates	Works correctly.