I am in a similar boat. My wife's Belkin UPS never really worked right, and now that it is out of warrantee... I should have powered it up and tested it within the initial warrantee, but given my experience with APS units I just plugged and walked away. I recently junked it because I too could find no help in the manual or online and it would not test nor operate as a UPS. I ordered a new APS ups and it works perfectly. I have used APS for at least 10 years. Replaced batteries a few times and NEVER had a problem. Belkin has lost my business. Steve