testing the device

i've completed soldering all my components on the PCB board and want to test out the ICs on my PCB by using MSComm control. I have RS232 buffer, UART and some read and write buffers. What is the best way and how do I test out my UART using MSComm control? Can i try by sending some bytes to the UART and will I receive something back ? please help me......... thanks

If you post a diagram, we could tell you if it will work.