How to Make a MULTI-UEFI Bootable USB! (Windows/Easy Method)

Making a bootable USB has never been easier with the amount of software freely available on the Internet. My favorite happens to be Rufus, but there are many to choose from. And while there are several multi-boot USB programs for MBR, or single-boot GPT USB programs, making a multi-boot GPT USB in Windows is somewhat unheard of. I want to share with you how to make a multi-boot GPT USB easily in Windows.

How To Use YUMI UEFI

BIOS vs. UEFI

In the past there was only BIOS, but in recent times UEFI and EFI have become the new standard for motherboards to use. The main reason for this is that BIOS has space constraints that UEFI improves upon. Much like many protocols, BIOS was made and meant for a certain era, while UEFI attempts to modernize and supplant BIOS.

The simplest way to think of UEFI is like a better BIOS.

Multi-UEFI (GPT) Bootable USB

I want to start off stating that Linux and Unix users have had the capability to use a multi-UEFI bootable USB's for quite some time, albeit through a CLI (Command Line Interface). But Windows users have really not had the ability to do this--until now...

Why is a multi-UEFI bootable USB a good thing? Because you may have several rescue CD's or Windows/Linux Live CD's that you want on one USB as opposed to several. For example, if you were IT for a company that fixed systems, it would be a big hassle to use several USB's, and even worse if none were labeled!

Is It Necessary To Use UEFI?

I would argue that currently it is unnecessary. I have never come across a motherboard for either a desktop or laptop that primarily used UEFI (or EFI), but did not have a "legacy" mode that would allow for a BIOS-compatibility mode.

In essence, this is a switch to change between BIOS or UEFI.

That being said, it should be noted that it is likely that this will not always be the case. It may take a long period, but I doubt that this legacy mode will always be around. And, for the sake of simplicity, it is much nicer to be able to just plug in a USB and not fiddle around with UEFI settings beforehand to get a USB to be recognized.

While having to switch a couple of settings does not sound like a chore, it certainly can be. Last week I had to do a lot of testing in legacy mode; so I had to go into the UEFI, switch to legacy mode, test a USB, go back into the UEFI, switch back to UEFI mode, then restart to get back to Windows. It was not fun.

Introducing YUMI

Some of you may already know of YUMI, it is most commonly known as a multi-boot USB for BIOS (MBR) systems. It is simple to use, portable, and has an intuitive interface.

What most people may not know is that YUMI now offers a UEFI beta version of their program. This only works with 64-bit systems, so be aware that any 32-bit system will not be able to utilize this version of YUMI. (A 32-bit version is being worked on). You must also disable Secure Boot if it is enabled in your UEFI.

There are a few (known) restricted rescue CD's and Live CD's that will not work with YUMI UEFI, which is not something the YUMI creators can fix.* That is because these CD's were not made to work with UEFI, so support for this CD's would have to come from the CD creators.

And while there is a list in YUMI of CD's that can be used, CD's that are not on the list are not guaranteed to work or not work. You will have to try such CD's to find out if they can boot and work properly.

*In this list, CD's that cannot work in UEFI will have a note next to the name stating "BIOS ONLY".

How To Use YUMI UEFI

Using YUMI UEFI is very simple, but I will outline the steps for those who would rather get a sense of what to do first:

Go to the YUMI homepage.

Scroll down to "Beta Download -> UEFI YUMI - Windows".

Download YUMI UEFI by clicking on the "UEFI YUMI - Windows" text only.

Double-click the "UEFI-YUMI-BETA-0.0.0.#.exe".

Press "I agree".

Click the dropdown arrow under "Step 1".

Select the USB flash drive you have inserted.*

Click the dropdown arrow under "Step 2". This will show you a menu of every known rescue and Live CD that YUMI supports.

If you do not have one already, download a rescue or Live CD you wish to use.

Click the dropdown arrow under "Step 2" again.

Select the rescue or Live CD you have ready. If your rescue or Live CD is not in the supported list, you can either choose a supported rescue or Live CD that from the list that may be similar so you can move onto "Step 3".

Press "Browse" under "Show All ISOs?". Check off "Show All ISOs?" if your rescue or Live CD is unsupported, or if you have changed the original name.

Browse for your ISO and double-click it.

Check off "Format #: Drive (Erase Content?)".

Click "Create".

YUMI will not show a progress bar, and when full, it will display a "Finished" button. Click "Finished".

*Note I: If you do not have a USB flash drive inserted, do so now, or check off "Show All Drives?", then select any drive. But be careful, you do not want to accidentally format your OS drive.

Note II: An external USB HDD/SSD (and in fact an installed HDD/SSD) can also be used to create a Multi-UEFI bootable device. To find these options, check off "Show All Drives?" in YUMI.

To test your multi-UEFI bootable USB, first ensure that Secure Boot is disabled in your UEFI. Reboot your computer and click the F# key to get to your Boot Priority screen (or go into your UEFI and either rearrange for USB devices to be found first, or select the USB to boot from it). If the multi-UEFI USB is working, the Boot Priority screen will just show a USB, instead of a designated name that you might find using a BIOS.

Recommendations?

While in theory this should work with any USB and USB port, I would recommend using a USB 2.0 flash drive, however, a USB 3.0 flash drive may work fine. But even moreso, be sure to test on a USB 2.0 port, if possible.

The reason I mention this is because I have found USB 3.0 ports to be finicky at times, especially during POST. I did not have this problem with my multi-UEFI bootable USB, but I tested with a USB 2.0 flash drive in a USB 2.0 port...

Too Simple?

No, it really is that simple. There are a few useful rescue CD's that cannot be booted from UEFI, but the majority you may know of are all available for UEFI.

For someone like me who may need to diagnose or repair a UEFI system every-so-often, a multi-UEFI is worth its weight in gold! And I know that more than a few people have been waiting for an easy method to make a multi-UEFI from Windows.

6 FREE VOIP Apps Reviewed

VOIP has matured a lot since it first came about. It offers cheap international calls, as well as dirt cheap domestic calls. Skype has become synonymous for VOIP calling, but there are now an abundance of mobile apps that offer the same service that are also free. My list that I will go over will contain apps that require both the initiator and receiver to have the specified app (with the exception of Skype that can make calls to ordinary numbers if you pay). I wanted to share my experience with some and how they compare.

Viber, Hangouts, WhatsApp, FB Messenger, BBM, & Skype

Testing Parameters
All my testing was done on WiFi with a maximum download speed of 4Mb/s and an upload speed of 1MB/s, which is both throttled and capped. My calls were made from varying locations including the US, the Dominican Republic, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. All tests were done on my LG G3 phone using Android 5.0 (Lollipop).

Viber
Viber has been around a long time and was one of the first of the apps I will be discussing to have VOIP integrated as part of its service.

Viber requires a phone number to setup, but once done, you can use any number with that smartphone and still retain Viber. A message ID can also be messaged to the number you wish to validate if you are not currently using that number on the phone being used or are having problems with the automatic detecting of your number on that phone.

Viber has a slick interface filled with purple and gray. It also offers messaging with stickers for the modernized touch in communication. Viber takes about 70 megabytes of space.

The call quality is the best I have experienced. As long as the connection on both ends are stable, calls are void of static. People on the other end are loud enough where you can make out background noises at times, but not enough to detract from the caller's voice.

Hangouts
Google Hangouts is still fairly new, but Google has promised to continue updating and upgrading it. It received the ability to VOIP in 2014.

Setup for Hangouts is really simple if you already have a Google account. You login with your Google account credentials and you're done. If you don't have a Gmail or Google account, you will need to set one up beforehand. Hangouts takes about 44 megabytes of space.

Hangouts is mostly green and gray. It is very simplistic (which may change once new revisions are made), and is also an app messenger that includes plenty of emojis, and as of recently, stickers.

Hangouts rivals my experience with Viber. While I still put Viber slightly higher than Hangouts, I should mention that I have got better reception with Hangouts than with normal calls. Static can still be abundant if on the move, but the call never seems to drop if you wait for the static to die off. People on the other end are very clear and loud, I notice no background noises if not put on speakerphone.

I also wanted to mention that I did not review the Google Voice app because now it just integrates with Hangouts.

WhatsApp
WhatsApp is another (popular) messaging service that has since integrated VOIP into its services. Another interesting point is that it was bought by Facebook, which I only bring up because I will also review Facebook Messenger's VOIP capabilities.

Setting up WhatsApp is identical to Viber. Just plug in your number and wait for your phone to tell you it has been verified. WhatsApp takes about 38 megabytes of space.

The color scheme of WhatsApp is probably the best I have come across (the UI was recently updated, but the colors remain the same). It contains dark green, and the actual messaging portion shows a light beige background which is very easy on the eyes. As with all the other apps, it too has emojis, but no stickers at present.

WhatsApp is my favorite messaging app, but is the worst experience I have had with VOIP apps to date. I tried it a few times and it was near impossible to talk with all the static, dropped portions of the call, and seconds of lag. I had really hoped it would be a winner as I did have some contacts on WhatsApp that might find this useful from time-to-time. I did receive a call through WhatsApp while in the same country as the caller. The call quality was on par with Facebook, however, the call kept dropping and reconnecting. It is definitely the one to pass up if looking for free VOIP options.

Facebook Messenger
VOIP on Facebook Messenger only came out a couple weeks ago. As such, things may change in the future, hopefully, only for the better.

If you don't have a Facebook account you're either old or weird. Even I have one, although I almost never use it anymore. Anyways, you need a Facebook login to access the app's features, which requires an email for signup. Facebook Messenger (different from the Facebook app) takes about 78 megabytes of space.

Facebook Messenger sticks with their classic colors of blue and white. It has emojis, stickers, and even voice message capabilities. Yet, all these items make it seem a bit cluttered at times.

Facebook Messenger has excellent call quality. There was no noises in the background, and while not as audible as say Viber or Hangouts, still perfectly loud enough for a call. The only thing I noticed was an approximate one-second lag that was quite bearable. The odd thing to me about this experience is how far off it is compared to my WhatsApp experience considering both are owned by Facebook...

BBM
Blackberry Messenger (BBM) has had VOIP integrated since before it was released for iOS and Android devices. I don't believe a lot of people even realize it has this function, but it has remained part of its services nonetheless.

BBM requires a BBM account to use its app. You only need a valid email address. After that, people can use your designated BBM pin to add you, or a special QR code. BBM takes about 51 megabytes of space.

BBM uses blue and gray, as well as a bit of black. It doesn't seem to have stickers, but all the usual items are available.

BBM places around third or fourth on my ranking of VOIP services. When it was first featured it was horrible, but then again it was only for Blackberrys, and I never tried it on Blackberry OS 10. In any case, on two Android devices, it works wonderfully. There is a tiny bit of lag that is unnoticeable unless you are literally in the same room with the caller.

Skype
Skype is what made VOIP a household name. I know numerous people who still don't realize that Skype is VOIP and not the other way around. They have cemented their status as a VOIP service, but more for video calls than just calls.

As with some of the others listed, Skype requires an email to signup. However, an email or user ID can be used to login to your Skype account. Skype takes about 93 megabytes of space.

Skype uses the traditional blue and white. It doesn't have a feature-rich messenger, but that was never the point of it. It does have a slightly different UI than the rest, but it is refreshing.

Skype isn't the best on calls, but its certainly not the worst. I would say I would normally get decent reception, but a lot of followed static that can only be described as edging on the voice of the recipient as opposed to being in the background. Recently I found that the beginning of the call will be bearable, but after so long it would become almost impossible to pick up the words of the recipient. If you have WhatsApp, this would be an upgrade, but I wouldn't use it for VOIP otherwise.

BONUS: Talkatone & Spare Phone
I have mentioned these two apps in the past, and the reasons I am not considering as part of my official list is: A) They are (were) meant to be used in conjunction with Google Voice and a valid Google number, B) which means you would just dial phone numbers not just people who have the same app.

Talkatone
Talkatone was my first app I used with my Google number. I initially used it on an iPhone, and then later an Android. The free version comes with advertisements. I never purchased the paid version as the free version was satisfactory.

Talkatone takes about 21 megabytes of space.

In all honesty, while I made a lot of calls with this app, it was pretty horrible. I would get dropped calls, echoes, or people just couldn't hear me. It's a wonder I ever stuck with it, but it is still available today.

Spare Phone
Spare phone is my app of choice on my Android. It is not available for iOS devices. It is a paid app, but it is of great quality.

Spare Phone takes about 1 megabyte of space!

Calls on Spare Phone are quite clear. The only complaint I ever get is that it sometimes creates echoes and it can give lag. The app itself may shuts down calls after an hour, or just bugs out by disallowing calls. Part of this may be because I use an older version. Unfortunately, it seems that newer versions have changed to act more like the apps listed in that you don't call phone numbers but other people who also have the app...

How They Chalk Up
The app for you may depend on what is popular in your area, or what most of your contacts use. If going for the best call quality, I would say Viber fits the bill. If going for the best quality with the least amount of space, then Hangouts might work best. More than likely, if you wanted something everyone already has instant access to, Facebook Messenger might be the way to go. In terms US calls for a purely VOIP app, then Spare Phone is a no-brainer!

There are other apps out there, but I just wanted to touch on a few of the most popular where chances are you already have at least one that I've mentioned.

Free Serial Numbers for Canon EOS & Dazzle (DVC-100) - Get the FREE Software for Free!

Everyone knows that getting serial numbers for paid software - that you don't own - is illegal. But what if you do own the software? Okay, let us make the situation a bit simpler. How does this work for free software? Many large companies will post their free software on the web and let you get copies whenever needed. Yet some companies do this, but require you to give them your product's serial number beforehand in order to download the respective software; or input it afterwards to have the software open. Enter Canon and Dazzle.

Dazzle DVC-100 Serial Number & Canon EOS Software Serial Number

Dazzle
I wanted to start with Dazzle as it is not nearly as well-known as Canon, and it is less likely that you will need to use it since this is really a specialty product. Dazzle has numerous products that concentrate on recording from devices to your PC. Originally, their devices were focused on digitizing VHS. It seems that they are more geared towards digitizing DVD, and logically so.

DVC-100
The DVC-100 was one of Dazzle's early models. It was small, popular, and easy-to-use. The model has been updated since that time, but little has changed from a technology standpoint.

I first got this model many, many years ago. It cost me around $100+ brand new. The price is still around $90 new, and can be somewhat cheaper on eBay. I guess you really don't fix what's not broken.

That Dazzling Recorder Software
The software to download from their site is the "Pinnacle Instant DVD Recorder Setup". I believe the software is mainly just for recording but has some additional features like basic editing. Most would think this would be a free download, as there are many alternatives for their additional features that are far superior. But no, Dazzle wants to make sure you cannot use their product unless you have their serial. Oh, you bought it used? So? We're too busy to separate the basic recording software from everything else!

Oh, Canada
Those Canucks come in handy sometimes, and this is one shining example. When the Dazzle DVC-100 was released in Canada there were some issues regarding the serial numbers. It seemed that many of them simply did not work. How did Dazzle fix such a large-scale issue?

Dazzle decided that instead of addressing each case individually, why not kill a bunch of loonies with one stone? They created one serial number that would work on any of their DVC-100 products. Of course, this was only meant for Canadian consumers. However, there is still an article on their website that gives it out.

Serial #
I came across this serial number because I had lent out my DVC-100 to my friend's mother. She never used it and ended up losing the software disc. I had bought it in-store several years prior and no longer had the receipt.

Serial Number: JADIO-AABAA-BAAAA-AAATO-JPHUF

I have tested this a couple different times and it has always worked for me. Here is a software version that I have saved in case you can't find a newer one.

Canon
If you don't know Canon then you probably have never gone shopping for a camera, lens, printer, scanner, or any other number of items Canon produces. They are a world-renowned Japanese company known for their quality products.

Canon cameras have been around for decades and have is one of the biggest contenders in the field along with Nikon. They have many consumers cameras that are excellent and revered by many. But their professional lineup is what the hubbub is all about.

EOS
EOS (Electro-Optical System) has been their current professional lineup since 1987. It has always been a mainstay for professional photographers, and in recent years has become a great and inexpensive choice for amateur and professional videographers looking for exceptional quality.

EOS Utility
EOS cameras come with specialized Canon software. One such piece of software is the EOS Utility. This utility is mainly meant for updating an EOS camera's firmware to fix or improve certain issues. Some people do not bother or feel the need to update their camera's firmware. Others are just too afraid to do it.

However, even if you use profiles like Cinestyle from Technicolor, you will need the EOS Utility to load it onto the camera. And if you are a Magic Lantern fan, you may need to upgrade your firmware to a supported firmware version before your EOS camera can take advantage of it.

Smile! You're On Canon Camera's... Software Site. 
Canon has made the EOS Utility available on their website as either an updater or as part of their package mimicking the contents of the CD that should have come with your EOS camera. You can download the updater files without a serial number, but if you do not already have the software, how does that help?

If you want to download the actual EOS Utility you will be need a valid serial number from an EOS camera in order to download a product. Simple enough if you have the camera with you, a pain if not.

The Old Workaround
In the past, you could download the Mac DMG file for the EOS Utility and use a Mac to extract the proper contents (since it actually held the full EOS Utility inside), and use it from there. This no longer works with newer versions.

The New Workaround
This involves registry hacks and other steps depending on whether you have a Mac or Windows OS. This information can be found here - along with the old workaround. If you really want to spend a lot of unnecessary time, go for it!

Serial #
The EOS software is the same for any of the EOS cameras. All you need is any EOS camera serial number and you can download their packaged software. The following serial number is posted publicly on the web.

Serial Number: 0330113672

NOTE: If you are looking for the ImageBrowser EX, Digital Photo Professional, Picture Style Editor, or PhotoStitch software from Canon, this method will be exactly the same as the package that contains the EOS Utility also contains all the aforementioned software.

Summation
I hope this helps anyone who buys a DVC-100 and loses their CD, or bought it used without one. I also hope this helps anyone looking for the Canon EOS software. I myself have had to go through both these situations and was extremely glad I was able to find this information. Best of all, nothing illegal or complicated needs to be done to obtain this software.