Test cases for current release

Show all tests

If you experience problems with BOINC that are not covered by any of these tests, please email boinc_alpha@ssl.berkeley.edu.

General tests

Note fraction done of existing tasks. Install the new version on top of an older version. Check that BOINC client and manager start up and tasks resume with same fraction done.
Make sure graphics work (for apps that support graphics).
Make sure CPU time and fraction done are increasing for running apps.
Check all tabs in BOINC manager, make sure data is there.
Let BOINC run long enough to complete a task. Verify that output file is uploaded and the task is reported.
Suspend and resume tasks, file transfers, and projects.
Test activity modes 'suspended', 'based on preferences', 'always'.
Check that the 'Help' menu items bring up a web browser and loads a Help page on the BOINC site.
Windows only: Check that pressing 'F1' brings up a web browser and loads a Help page on the BOINC site.

Clean install

Remove BOINC (Windows: go control panel -> add/remove programs and uninstall BOINC). Then rename the BOINC data directory to a temporary name.
Install new BOINC.
Verify that client and manager run, and manager brings up the Attach Project wizard.
Attach to a project, and check that work is downloaded and started.
There should be no long delays, errors, confusing messages, or anything else that might bother a naive, non-technical computer user. If there is, report it as a bug.
Exit BOINC, delete the BOINC data directory, and rename the temporary directory back to BOINC.

Preferences tests

Test as many computing preferences as possible, using web-based preferences (change preferences on a project web site, then Update the project in the BOINC manager.
Test venue mechanism (e.g., create preferences for 'Home', change your computer's location to 'Home', make sure it gets the right preferences).
Update a second project with same account email address, and make sure preferences are propagated to the second project.
Test project preferences on one or more projects.
Test preferences using the Computing Preferences dialog in the Manager's advanced view.
Test preferences using the Computing Preferences dialog in the Manager's simple view.

Screensaver tests

Test normal case (enter/leave screensaver mode).
Open graphics windows from Manager before enter/leave screensaver; make sure they reappear.
Check that graphics change on CPU reschedule (set scheduling period to 1 min).
Test 'blank screen after X minutes'.
Test power-saver modes, e.g. 'turn off monitor after N minutes'.
Test password-after-resume options.
Test screensaver properties 'Preview' function.
(Windows only?) Test multi-user install - switch to different user and run screensaver.

BOINC Manager 'Attach to Project' tests

Test normal case, invalid URL, valid but non-BOINC URL, projects that are down.
Test bad password, bad username.

Account manager functions

Attach to and detach from an account manager such as GridRepublic or BAM!.
Verify that the core client periodically synchronizes with the account manager.
Verify that the core client won't let you detach from a project that you attached via the account manager.
Create a new account on GridRepublic, click download link, abort download, then install new custom client. It should attach automatically.

NOTE: If you find bugs in the account manager itself, report them directly to the account manager admins, not to BOINC Alpha.

GPU tests

(This test applies only if your computer has an AMD/ATI or NVIDIA GPU.) Check if your GPU supports GPU Computing:

If it does, perform the following:

Download and install the latest drivers. ( NVIDIA or AMD/ATI )
Verify that BOINC detects your GPU by checking the event log output. If not, add the <coproc_debug/> log flag to your cc_config.xml file. Report the failure(email or test form) along with the coproc_debug output.
Attach to a project that has one or more GPU application(s)
Verify that GPU jobs are downloaded and executed.
Verify that BOINC keeps your GPU (or GPUs, if you have more than one) busy all the time.
Verify that GPU-related preferences work.

Notes:

GPUs won't work on Vista/Win7 if you chose the 'protected application execution' install option. If this applies to you, either skip this test or reinstall BOINC without this option.

Configuration tests

Add an 'exclusive application' to cc_config.xml. For example:
```
<cc_config>
   <options>
      <exclusive_app>notepad.exe</exclusive_app>
   </options>
   ...
</cc_config>
        
```
Verify that when you launch that application (Notepad in this case), BOINC suspends tasks.

BOINC Manager tests

Check all the tabs.
Switch between the Simple GUI and Advanced GUI.
Check that translation is working: in Advanced/Display and network options/General, select a non-English language, restart the Manager, and check that text is shown in that language.
In the Projects tab, select a project and click Properties; check that a dialog appears showing correct project info.
Same thing, for Task Properties.

BOINC Manager Notices

Update all attached projects and verify the latest news from the project homepage is displayed as a notice in the BOINC Manager notices tab.
Unplug/disable your network adapter and attempt to update a project. The need network connection notice should be displayed after the network connection attempt has been completed. Plug-in/re-enable your network adapter and update a project again. The need network connection notice should be removed.
Verify that new notices are created for Private Messages.
Verify that new notices are created for Server Messages.
Verify that new notices are created for followed threads.
Verify that new notices are created for friend requests.

NOTE: You will need to update the project after creating private messages, add posts to a followed thread, or receive friend requests in order for them to show up in the manager.