I don't know of an accurate way to test them, I'm just passing on an experience I had with my camera which disproved your theory.I think the problems with the cams before the upgrade were so widely different that there is no single test to tell with every single camera. Wish there was. The best way to tell is to look at your receipt! If it was purchased before7-20-08 then it needs the update. I almost didn't do the update to this camera simply because it was working so well, but decided to anyway. It was shipped from HCO in or around 6-14-08, my first pics were on the 6th.
Dave