In order to test a cable that connects your device to your computer,  you need to hook up the device to your computer with the cable.  It  sounds pretty simple and let me tell you... it is.  The cables work just  find and fit quite snugly in my Lenovo T410 laptop. . .
Scosche flipSYNC Cables for iPhone and mini/micro-USB - BCCHardware
                 
                              Scosche flipSYNC Cables for iPhone and mini/micro-USB - BCCHardware
 
       
      