Welcome to the Humminbird Side Imaging Forums Lonestar.
It sounds like you have the Screen Snapshot menu turned on without a memory card in the unit. The snapshot and recording view is not the culprit here. Either install a memory card in your unit or turn the snapshot feature off.
Yes you can test the unit when it is not on the water. Just power it up while it is on the boat and give it a try. With the transducer connected it should remember the menu changes you make.