update changelog

## Link to GitHub Issue, if one exists
#345 

## Description of change
Add a little warning message that shows when well-known exception codes
are encountered & caught by signal hooks.

## Testing
Tested by injecting bad instructions into the DLL.

src/spice2x/avs/core.cpp

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "external/robin_hood.h"
 #include "launcher/logger.h"
+#include "launcher/signal.h"
 #include "util/detour.h"
 #include "util/fileutils.h"
 #include "util/libutils.h"
@@ -1736,7 +1737,13 @@ namespace avs {
             return;
         }
 
-        static void create_dir(
+        static void avs_dir_err(const std::filesystem::path &src_path)
+        {
+            launcher::signal::AVS_DIR_CREATION_FAILURE = TRUE;
+            launcher::signal::AVS_SRC_PATH = src_path.string();
+        }
+
+        static void create_avs_dir(
                 const std::string_view &avs_path,
                 const std::string_view &src_path)
         {
@@ -1745,6 +1752,7 @@ namespace avs {
             auto real_path = std::filesystem::absolute(src_path, err);
 
             if (err) {
+                avs_dir_err(real_path);
                 log_warning("avs-core", "failed to resolve '{}' path: {}", avs_path, err.message());
                 return;
             }
@@ -1754,7 +1762,9 @@ namespace avs {
             if (created) {
                 log_info("avs-core", "created '{}' at '{}'", avs_path, real_path.string());
             }
+
             if (err) {
+                avs_dir_err(real_path);
                 log_warning("avs-core", "failed to create '{}' folder at '{}': {}",
                         avs_path,
                         real_path.string(),
@@ -1815,7 +1825,7 @@ namespace avs {
                 return;
             }
 
-            create_dir(avs_path, device_path);
+            create_avs_dir(avs_path, device_path);
         }
 
         static void create_avs_config_fs_table(
@@ -1870,7 +1880,7 @@ namespace avs {
                     continue;
                 }
 
-                create_dir(dst_path, src_path);
+                create_avs_dir(dst_path, src_path);
             } while ((vfs_node = property_node_traversal(vfs_node, TRAVERSE_NEXT_SEARCH_RESULT)));
         }
 

src/spice2x/avs/ea3.cpp

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ namespace avs {
         int HTTP11 = -1;
         int URL_SLASH = -1;
         int PCB_TYPE = -1;
+        bool EA3_DEBUG_VERBOSE = false;
 
         // handle
         std::string VERSION_STR = "unknown";
@@ -412,6 +413,11 @@ namespace avs {
                 log_fatal("avs-ea3", "no PCBID set (try using -p to specify PCBID)");
             }
 
+            // remove <debug> since it can expose pcbid in logged requests
+            if (!EA3_DEBUG_VERBOSE) {
+                avs::core::property_search_remove_safe(ea3_config, nullptr, "/ea3/debug/verbose");
+            }
+
             // remember IDs
             char pcbid_buffer[256] { 0 };
             char accountid_buffer[256] { 0 };

src/spice2x/avs/ea3.h

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ namespace avs {
         extern int HTTP11;
         extern int URL_SLASH;
         extern int PCB_TYPE;
+        extern bool EA3_DEBUG_VERBOSE;
 
         // handle
         extern std::string VERSION_STR;

src/spice2x/changelog.txt

@@ -1,3 +1,16 @@
+09/30/2025 [spice2x]
+    Prevent verbose debug EA3 logging by default
+    Options UI tweaks
+
+09/28/2025 [spice2x]
+    IIDX: auto apply ASIO compatibility fix for IIDX32+
+    Misc diagnosability updates
+
+09/22/2025 [spice2x]
+    Add Polaris Chord lights
+    Add boot.dll to Gitadora patches target
+    Misc fixes
+
 09/20/2025 [spice2x]
     Polaris Chord support for knobs/turntables/mouse as fader input
     Misc fixes

src/spice2x/games/iidx/iidx.cpp

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "games/iidx/legacy_camera.h"
 
+#include "hooks/audio/audio.h"
 #include "hooks/avshook.h"
 #include "hooks/cfgmgr32hook.h"
 #include "hooks/devicehook.h"
@@ -376,7 +377,11 @@ namespace games::iidx {
             }
         }
 
-        apply_audio_hacks();
+        if (hooks::audio::ENABLED) {
+            apply_audio_hacks();
+        } else {
+            log_warning("iidx", "skipping audio hooks; disabled by user");
+        }
 
         // ASIO device hook
         RegCloseKey_orig = detour::iat_try(
@@ -766,22 +771,26 @@ namespace games::iidx {
                 0);
 
         // attempt to detect ASIO support
+        // <=24 : 32-bit only
         // 25-26: has neither (no patch needed - WASAPI Exclusive by default)
         // 27-30: has both (envvar will be respected, ASIO or WASAPI)
         // 31+: only has XONAR (ASIO by default, signature patch can be used to force WASAPI - for now)
 
         if (!has_SOUND_OUTPUT_DEVICE && !has_XONAR_SOUND_CARD) {
+            // iidx 25-26
             log_info("iidx", "This game only uses WASAPI audio engine");
             return;
         }
 
         if (has_SOUND_OUTPUT_DEVICE && has_XONAR_SOUND_CARD) {
+            // iidx 27-30
             log_info("iidx", "This game accepts SOUND_OUTPUT_DEVICE environment variable");
             return;
         }
 
         log_info("iidx", "This game supports ASIO but does not accept SOUND_OUTPUT_DEVICE environment variable");
 
+        // patch game to force wasapi
         if (SOUND_OUTPUT_DEVICE_IN_EFFECT.has_value() && SOUND_OUTPUT_DEVICE_IN_EFFECT.value() == "wasapi") {
             intptr_t result = replace_pattern(
                 avs::game::DLL_INSTANCE,
@@ -800,6 +809,41 @@ namespace games::iidx {
                     "Successfully forced WASAPI as audio engine using signature matching @ 0x{:x}.",
                     result);
             }
+        } else {
+            log_info("iidx", "Not applying force wasapi patch; game will use ASIO");
+        }
+
+        // patch iidx32+ for asio compatibility
+        // only do this if NOT wasapi (as opposed to checking if it's asio)
+        // the patch is only really needed for (some) non-XONAR devices but since people sometimes disguise 
+        // other devices as a XONAR, don't check for the exact string (common ASIO workaround for INF)
+        if (avs::game::is_ext(2024090100, MAXINT) &&
+            !(SOUND_OUTPUT_DEVICE_IN_EFFECT.has_value() && SOUND_OUTPUT_DEVICE_IN_EFFECT.value() == "wasapi")) {
+                
+            // in iidx32 final:
+            // ff 50 08      call   QWORD PTR [rax+0x8]     ; ASIO instance AddRef
+            // 48 8b 4b 08   mov    rcx,QWORD PTR [rbx+0x8]
+            // 48 8b 01      mov    rax,QWORD PTR [rcx]
+            // ff 50 08      call   QWORD PTR [rax+0x8]     ; ASIO instance AddRef
+
+            intptr_t result = replace_pattern(
+                avs::game::DLL_INSTANCE,
+                "FF50????????????????FF50??4533C94533C0418D51",
+                "????????????????????909090??????????????????",
+                0, 0);
+
+            if (result == 0) {
+                log_warning(
+                    "iidx",
+                    "Failed to apply ASIO compatibility fix for iidx32+. "
+                    "Unless patches are applied, your ASIO device ({}) may hang or fail to work",
+                    ASIO_DRIVER->c_str());
+            } else {
+                log_info(
+                    "iidx",
+                    "Successfully applied ASIO compatibility fix for iidx32+ using signature matching @ 0x{:x}.",
+                    result);
+            }
         }
 
 #endif

src/spice2x/games/iidx/local_camera.cpp

@@ -85,12 +85,19 @@ namespace games::iidx {
             &m_pwszSymbolicLink,
             &m_cchSymbolicLink
         );
-        if (FAILED(hr)) { goto done; }
+        if (FAILED(hr)) {
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] GetAllocatedString failed with {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
+            goto done;
+        }
+
         log_misc("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Symlink: {}", m_name, GetSymLink());
 
         // Create the media source object.
         hr = pActivate->ActivateObject(IID_PPV_ARGS(&m_pSource));
-        if (FAILED(hr)) { goto done; }
+        if (FAILED(hr)) {
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] ActivateObject failed with {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
+            goto done;
+        }
 
         // Retain reference to the camera
         m_pSource->AddRef();
@@ -98,13 +105,22 @@ namespace games::iidx {
 
         // Create an attribute store to hold initialization settings.
         hr = WrappedMFCreateAttributes(&pAttributes, 2);
-        if (FAILED(hr)) { goto done; }
+        if (FAILED(hr)) {
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] MFCreateAttributes failed with {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
+            goto done;
+        }
 
         hr = pAttributes->SetUnknown(MF_SOURCE_READER_D3D_MANAGER, pD3DManager);
-        if (FAILED(hr)) { goto done; }
+        if (FAILED(hr)) {
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] SetUnknown(MF_SOURCE_READER_D3D_MANAGER) failed with {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
+            goto done;
+        }
 
         hr = pAttributes->SetUINT32(MF_SOURCE_READER_DISABLE_DXVA, FALSE);
-        if (FAILED(hr)) { goto done; }
+        if (FAILED(hr)) {
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] SetUINT32(MF_SOURCE_READER_DISABLE_DXVA) failed with {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
+            goto done;
+        }
 
         // TODO: Color space conversion
         // if (SUCCEEDED(hr)) {
@@ -120,11 +136,18 @@ namespace games::iidx {
             pAttributes,
             &m_pSourceReader
         );
-        if (FAILED(hr)) { goto done; }
+        if (FAILED(hr)) {
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] MFCreateSourceReaderFromMediaSource failed with {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
+            goto done;
+        }
+
         log_misc("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Created source reader", m_name);
 
         hr = InitTargetTexture();
-        if (FAILED(hr)) { goto done; }
+        if (FAILED(hr)) {
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] InitTargetTexture failed with {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
+            goto done;
+        }
 
         // Camera should be still usable even if camera control is not supported
         InitCameraControl();
@@ -134,7 +157,7 @@ namespace games::iidx {
             m_initialized = true;
             log_misc("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Initialized", m_name);
         } else {
-            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to create camera: {}", m_name, hr);
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to create camera: {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
         }
         SafeRelease(&pAttributes);
         LeaveCriticalSection(&m_critsec);
@@ -165,7 +188,7 @@ namespace games::iidx {
 
             if (FAILED(hr)) { 
                 if (hr != MF_E_NO_MORE_TYPES) {
-                    log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Cannot get media type {} {}", m_name, i, hr);
+                    log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Cannot get media type {} {:#x}", m_name, i, (ULONG)hr);
                 }
                 break; 
             }
@@ -584,7 +607,7 @@ namespace games::iidx {
      * Return values:
      *   S_OK:      this is a "better" media type than the existing one
      *   S_FALSE:   valid media type, but not "better"
-     *   E_*:       invalid meia type
+     *   E_*:       invalid media type
      */
     HRESULT IIDXLocalCamera::TryMediaType(IMFMediaType *pType, UINT32 *pBestWidth, double *pBestFrameRate) {
         HRESULT hr = S_OK;
@@ -595,13 +618,13 @@ namespace games::iidx {
         hr = pType->GetGUID(MF_MT_SUBTYPE, &subtype);
 
         if (FAILED(hr))  { 
-            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to get subtype: {}", m_name, hr);
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to get subtype: {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
             return hr;    
         }
 
         hr = MFGetAttributeSize(pType, MF_MT_FRAME_SIZE, &width, &height);
         if (FAILED(hr))  { 
-            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to get frame size: {}", m_name, hr);
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to get frame size: {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
             return hr;
         }
         
@@ -619,7 +642,7 @@ namespace games::iidx {
             (UINT32*)&frameRate.Denominator
         );
         if (FAILED(hr))  { 
-            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to get frame rate: {}", m_name, hr);
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to get frame rate: {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
             return hr;
         }
         double frameRateValue = frameRate.Numerator / frameRate.Denominator;
@@ -696,7 +719,7 @@ namespace games::iidx {
         if (SUCCEEDED(hr)) {
             log_misc("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Created texture", m_name);
         } else {
-            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to create texture: {}", m_name, hr);
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "[{}] Failed to create texture: {:#x}", m_name, (ULONG)hr);
         }
         return hr;
     }
@@ -785,7 +808,7 @@ namespace games::iidx {
         FlushDrawCommands();
 
         if (FAILED(hr)) {
-            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "Error in DrawSample {}", hr);
+            log_warning("iidx:camhook", "Error in DrawSample {:#x}", (ULONG)hr);
         }
         SafeRelease(&pCameraSurf);
         LeaveCriticalSection(&m_critsec);

src/spice2x/games/pc/bi2x_hook.cpp

@@ -415,6 +415,19 @@ namespace games::pc {
         }
     }
 
+    struct PolarisChordLight {
+        int data_index;
+        games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t light;
+        PolarisChordLight(
+            int data_index, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t light) :
+                data_index(data_index), light(light) {}
+    };
+
+    static void set_led_value(games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t light, uint8_t value) {
+        auto &lights = games::pc::get_lights();
+        GameAPI::Lights::writeLight(RI_MGR, lights.at(light), value / 255.f);
+    }
+
     void __fastcall aioIob2Bi2xAC1_SetTapeLedDataPart(AIO_IOB2_BI2X_AC1 *i_pNodeCtl, uint32_t i_TapeLedCh,
                                                       uint32_t i_Offset, uint8_t *i_pData,
                                                       uint32_t i_cntTapeLed, bool i_bReverse) {
@@ -422,8 +435,82 @@ namespace games::pc {
             return aioIob2Bi2xAC1_SetTapeLedDataPart_orig(i_pNodeCtl, i_TapeLedCh, i_Offset, i_pData, i_cntTapeLed, i_bReverse);
         }
 
-        // TODO implement tape led
-        //  there are >200 lights in total, adding each one separately probably isn't the best idea...
+        // log_info(
+        //     "pc",
+        //     "lamp [{}] [{}] = {},{},{}, cnt={}",
+        //     i_TapeLedCh,
+        //     i_Offset,
+        //     i_pData[0], i_pData[1], i_pData[2],
+        //     i_cntTapeLed);
+
+        // [channel 0]
+        // these are button lamps; there are 12 buttons (columns) with this layout:
+        //
+        // 0  5   8  11  14  16  |  18  20  22  25  28  31
+        // 1  6   9  12  15  17  |  19  21  23  26  29  32
+        // 2  7  10  13          |          24  27  30  33
+        // 3                     |                      34
+        // 4                     |                      35 
+        //
+        // 36 RGB lamps * 3 = 108 LEDs
+        // each value ranges from [0, 255]
+        // (we only care about the top row)
+
+        static PolarisChordLight button_lights_mapping[] = {
+            {(0 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button1_R},
+            {(0 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button1_G},
+            {(0 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button1_B},
+
+            {(5 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button2_R},
+            {(5 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button2_G},
+            {(5 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button2_B},
+
+            {(8 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button3_R},
+            {(8 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button3_G},
+            {(8 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button3_B},
+
+            {(11 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button4_R},
+            {(11 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button4_G},
+            {(11 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button4_B},
+
+            {(14 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button5_R},
+            {(14 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button5_G},
+            {(14 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button5_B},
+
+            {(16 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button6_R},
+            {(16 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button6_G},
+            {(16 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button6_B},
+
+            {(18 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button7_R},
+            {(18 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button7_G},
+            {(18 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button7_B},
+
+            {(20 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button8_R},
+            {(20 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button8_G},
+            {(20 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button8_B},
+
+            {(22 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button9_R},
+            {(22 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button9_G},
+            {(22 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button9_B},
+
+            {(25 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button10_R},
+            {(25 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button10_G},
+            {(25 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button10_B},
+
+            {(28 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button11_R},
+            {(28 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button11_G},
+            {(28 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button11_B},
+
+            {(31 * 3) + 0, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button12_R},
+            {(31 * 3) + 1, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button12_G},
+            {(31 * 3) + 2, games::pc::Lights::pc_lights_t::Button12_B},
+        };
+
+        if (i_TapeLedCh == 0 && i_Offset == 0 && i_cntTapeLed == 108) {
+            for (const auto &map : button_lights_mapping) {
+                set_led_value(map.light, i_pData[map.data_index]);
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     void __fastcall aioIob2Bi2x_SetTapeLedDataGroup(AIO_IOB2_BI2X_AC1* i_pNodeCtl, uint32_t i_bfGroup) {

src/spice2x/games/pc/io.cpp

@@ -71,7 +71,55 @@ std::vector<Light> &games::pc::get_lights() {
                 &lights,
                 "IC Reader R",
                 "IC Reader G",
-                "IC Reader B"
+                "IC Reader B",
+
+                "Button 1 R",
+                "Button 1 G",
+                "Button 1 B",
+
+                "Button 2 R",
+                "Button 2 G",
+                "Button 2 B",
+
+                "Button 3 R",
+                "Button 3 G",
+                "Button 3 B",
+
+                "Button 4 R",
+                "Button 4 G",
+                "Button 4 B",
+
+                "Button 5 R",
+                "Button 5 G",
+                "Button 5 B",
+
+                "Button 6 R",
+                "Button 6 G",
+                "Button 6 B",
+
+                "Button 7 R",
+                "Button 7 G",
+                "Button 7 B",
+
+                "Button 8 R",
+                "Button 8 G",
+                "Button 8 B",
+
+                "Button 9 R",
+                "Button 9 G",
+                "Button 9 B",
+
+                "Button 10 R",
+                "Button 10 G",
+                "Button 10 B",
+
+                "Button 11 R",
+                "Button 11 G",
+                "Button 11 B",
+
+                "Button 12 R",
+                "Button 12 G",
+                "Button 12 B"
         );
     }
 

src/spice2x/games/pc/io.h

@@ -41,6 +41,55 @@ namespace games::pc {
             IC_READER_R,
             IC_READER_G,
             IC_READER_B,
+
+            Button1_R,
+            Button1_G,
+            Button1_B,
+
+            Button2_R,
+            Button2_G,
+            Button2_B,
+
+            Button3_R,
+            Button3_G,
+            Button3_B,
+
+            Button4_R,
+            Button4_G,
+            Button4_B,
+
+            Button5_R,
+            Button5_G,
+            Button5_B,
+
+            Button6_R,
+            Button6_G,
+            Button6_B,
+           
+            Button7_R,
+            Button7_G,
+            Button7_B,
+
+            Button8_R,
+            Button8_G,
+            Button8_B,
+
+            Button9_R,
+            Button9_G,
+            Button9_B,
+
+            Button10_R,
+            Button10_G,
+            Button10_B,
+
+            Button11_R,
+            Button11_G,
+            Button11_B,
+
+            Button12_R,
+            Button12_G,
+            Button12_B
+            
         } pc_lights_t;
     }
 

src/spice2x/launcher/launcher.cpp

@@ -365,6 +365,9 @@ int main_implementation(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     if (options[launcher::Options::VerboseAVSLogging].value_bool()) {
         hooks::avs::config::LOG = true;
     }
+    if (options[launcher::Options::AllowEA3Verbose].value_bool()) {
+        avs::ea3::EA3_DEBUG_VERBOSE = true;
+    }
     if (options[launcher::Options::spice2x_AutoOrientation].is_active()) {
         GRAPHICS_ADJUST_ORIENTATION =
             (graphics_orientation)options[launcher::Options::spice2x_AutoOrientation].value_uint32();

src/spice2x/launcher/options.cpp

@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ static const std::vector<OptionDefinition> OPTION_DEFINITIONS = {
         .name = "r",
         .desc = "Set custom SOFTID override",
         .type = OptionType::Text,
-        .category = "Network (Development)",
+        .category = "Development",
         .sensitive = true,
     },
     {
@@ -554,10 +554,11 @@ static const std::vector<OptionDefinition> OPTION_DEFINITIONS = {
         .category = "Game Options",
     },
     {
-        .title = "IIDX BIO2 Firmware",
+        .title = "IIDX BIO2 Firmware Update",
         .name =  "iidxbio2fw",
-        .desc = "Enables BIO2 firmware updates",
+        .desc = "Enables BIO2 firmware updates. WARNING - can cause semi-permanent change to your I/O board",
         .type = OptionType::Bool,
+        .hidden = true,
         .game_name = "Beatmania IIDX",
         .category = "Game Options (Advanced)",
     },
@@ -1135,11 +1136,11 @@ static const std::vector<OptionDefinition> OPTION_DEFINITIONS = {
         .category = "Path Overrides",
     },
     {
-        .title = "Intel SDE Folder",
+        .title = "Intel SDE",
         .name = "sde",
         .desc = "Path to Intel SDE kit path for automatic attaching",
         .type = OptionType::Text,
-        .category = "Path Overrides",
+        .category = "Development",
     },
     {
         .title = "ea3-config.xml Override",
@@ -1544,10 +1545,13 @@ static const std::vector<OptionDefinition> OPTION_DEFINITIONS = {
         .title = "Spice Audio Hook Backend",
         .name = "audiobackend",
         .desc = "Selects the audio backend to use when spice audio hook is enabled, overriding exclusive WASAPI. "
-            " Does nothing for games that do not output to exclusive WASAPI",
+            "Does nothing for games that do not output to exclusive WASAPI",
         .type = OptionType::Enum,
         .category = "Audio",
-        .elements = {{"asio", "ASIO"}, {"waveout", "waveOut"}},
+        .elements = {
+            {"asio", "ASIO"},
+            {"waveout", "broken, do not use"}
+        },
     },
     {
         .title = "Spice Audio Hook ASIO Driver ID",
@@ -1672,6 +1676,16 @@ static const std::vector<OptionDefinition> OPTION_DEFINITIONS = {
         .type = OptionType::Bool,
         .category = "Debug Log",
     },
+    {
+        // AllowEA3Verbose
+        .title = "Allow EA3 Verbose Debug Logging",
+        .name = "ea3verbose",
+        .desc = "This option is only useful for network developers; leave this OFF.\n\n"
+            "By default, ea3/debug/verbose node is removed by spice to prevent exposing PCBID in the logs. "
+            "When this is enabled, ea3/debug/verbose node in the XML will be kept and exposed to the game",
+        .type = OptionType::Bool,
+        .category = "Debug Log",
+    },
     {
         .title = "Disable Colored Output",
         .name = "nocolor",
@@ -2375,7 +2389,7 @@ static const std::vector<OptionDefinition> OPTION_DEFINITIONS = {
         .type = OptionType::Bool,
         .category = "Development",
         .disabled = true,
-    },
+    }
 };
 
 const std::vector<std::string> &launcher::get_categories(Options::OptionsCategory category) {

src/spice2x/launcher/options.h

@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ namespace launcher {
             DebugCreateFile,
             VerboseGraphicsLogging,
             VerboseAVSLogging,
+            AllowEA3Verbose,
             DisableColoredOutput,
             DisableACPHook,
             DisableSignalHandling,

src/spice2x/launcher/signal.cpp

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 #include "signal.h"
 
 #include <exception>
-#include <string>
 
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <dbghelp.h>
 
+#include "avs/core.h"
+#include "avs/game.h"
 #include "acio/acio.h"
 #include "external/stackwalker/stackwalker.h"
 #include "hooks/libraryhook.h"
@@ -32,6 +33,8 @@ namespace launcher::signal {
 
     // states
     bool SUPERSTEP_SOUND_ERROR = false;
+    bool AVS_DIR_CREATION_FAILURE = false;
+    std::string AVS_SRC_PATH;
 }
 
 #define V(variant) case variant: return #variant
@@ -101,6 +104,22 @@ static LONG WINAPI TopLevelExceptionFilter(struct _EXCEPTION_POINTERS *Exception
         // print signal
         log_warning("signal", "exception raised: {}", exception_code(ExceptionRecord));
 
+        std::string err;
+        switch (ExceptionRecord->ExceptionCode) {
+            case EXCEPTION_ILLEGAL_INSTRUCTION:
+                err = "Illegal instruction: either your CPU is too old (e.g., does not support "
+                    "SSE4.2 or AVX2 but perhaps the game requires it); or, a bad patch was applied.";
+                break;
+            default:
+                break;
+        }
+        if (!err.empty()) {
+            log_warning(
+                "signal",
+                "likely cause for your error based on the exception code:\n    {}",
+                err.c_str());
+        }
+
         // check ACIO init failures
         if (acio::IO_INIT_IN_PROGRESS) {
             log_warning(
@@ -121,6 +140,18 @@ static LONG WINAPI TopLevelExceptionFilter(struct _EXCEPTION_POINTERS *Exception
             log_warning("signal", "    fix your audio device, double check your audio options/patches, and try again");
         }
 
+        if (launcher::signal::AVS_DIR_CREATION_FAILURE) {
+            log_warning("signal",
+                "AVS filesystem initialization failure was previously detected during boot!");
+            log_warning("signal",
+                "    ERROR: directory could not be created: {}",
+                launcher::signal::AVS_SRC_PATH.c_str());
+            log_warning("signal",
+                "    this crash may have been caused by bad <mounttable> contents in {}",
+                avs::core::CFG_PATH.c_str());
+            log_warning("signal", "    fix the XML file and try again");
+        }
+
         // walk the exception chain
         struct _EXCEPTION_RECORD *record_cause = ExceptionRecord->ExceptionRecord;
         while (record_cause != nullptr) {

src/spice2x/launcher/signal.h

@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include <string>
+
 namespace launcher::signal {
 
     // settings
     extern bool DISABLE;
     extern bool USE_VEH_WORKAROUND;
     extern bool SUPERSTEP_SOUND_ERROR;
+    extern bool AVS_DIR_CREATION_FAILURE;
+    extern std::string AVS_XML_PATH;
+    extern std::string AVS_SRC_PATH;
 
     //void print_stacktrace();
     void attach();

src/spice2x/overlay/windows/config.cpp

@@ -2633,17 +2633,16 @@ namespace overlay::windows {
                 
                 // check hidden option
                 if (!this->options_show_hidden && option.value.empty()) {
-                    
                     // skip hidden entries
                     if (definition.hidden) {
                         continue;
                     }
-                    
-                    // check for game exclusivity
-                    if (!definition.game_name.empty()) {
-                        if (definition.game_name != this->games_selected_name) {
-                            continue;
-                        }
+                }
+
+                // check for game exclusivity
+                if (!definition.game_name.empty()) {
+                    if (definition.game_name != this->games_selected_name) {
+                        continue;
                     }
                 }
                 

src/spice2x/overlay/windows/generic_sub.cpp

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 #include <fmt/format.h>
 
+#include "avs/game.h"
 #include "games/io.h"
 #include "cfg/screen_resize.h"
 #include "hooks/graphics/backends/d3d9/d3d9_backend.h"
@@ -88,13 +89,32 @@ namespace overlay::windows {
     void GenericSubScreen::touch_transform(const ImVec2 xy_in, LONG *x_out, LONG *y_out) {}
 
     void GenericSubScreen::build_content() {
+        this->flags |= ImGuiWindowFlags_NoBackground;
+        
         if (this->disabled_message.has_value()) {
             this->flags &= ~ImGuiWindowFlags_NoBackground;
             ImGui::TextColored(YELLOW, "%s", this->disabled_message.value().c_str());
             return;
         }
+
         this->draw_texture();
 
+        if (!this->texture) {
+            this->flags &= ~ImGuiWindowFlags_NoBackground;
+            ImGui::TextColored(YELLOW, "Failed to acquire surface texture for subscreen.");
+            if (avs::game::is_model("LDJ")) {
+                ImGui::TextColored(
+                    YELLOW,
+                    "Ensure that you are using the correct DLL type, \n"
+                    "or patch the DLL to properly enable TDJ mode.");
+            } else if (avs::game::is_model("KFC")) {
+                ImGui::TextColored(
+                    YELLOW,
+                    "Ensure that you did not accidentally enable a patch \n"
+                    "that turns off subscreen rendering.");
+            }
+        }
+
 #if OVERLAYDBG
         if (this->status_message.has_value()) {
             log_warning("sub::overlay", "{}", this->status_message.value().c_str());

src/spice2x/overlay/windows/iidx_sub.cpp

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ namespace overlay::windows {
         if (GRAPHICS_IIDX_WSUB) {
             this->disabled_message =
                 "Close this overlay and use the second window.\n"
-                "Or, turn on -iidxnosub to use the overlay instead.";
+                "If you don't see the window, double check your DLL type and apply TDJ I/O patches as needed.";
             this->draws_window = false;
         }
 

src/spice2x/overlay/windows/patch_manager.cpp

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ namespace overlay::windows {
         {"arkmmd.dll", {"gamemmd.dll"}},
         {"arkklp.dll", {"lpac.dll"}},
         {"arknck.dll", {"weac.dll"}},
-        {"gdxg.dll", {"game.dll", "libshare-pj.dll"}}
+        {"gdxg.dll", {"game.dll", "libshare-pj.dll", "boot.dll"}}
     };
 
     static size_t url_recent_idx = -1;

src/spice2x/util/libutils.cpp

@@ -29,19 +29,17 @@ std::filesystem::path libutils::module_file_name(HMODULE module) {
 
 static inline void load_library_fail(const std::string &file_name, bool fatal) {
     std::string info_str { fmt::format(
-        "\n\nPlease check if {} exists and the permissions are fine.\n"
-        "\n"
-        "* If the problem still persists, try installing things on this list:\n"
-        "    https://github.com/spice2x/spice2x.github.io/wiki/DLL-Dependencies \n"
-        "\n"
-        "* Still have problems after installing from above and rebooting PC?\n"
-        "    Avoid manually specifying DLL path (-exec) and module directory (-modules); let spice2x auto-detect unless you have a good reason not to\n"
-        "    Ensure you do NOT have multiple copies of the game DLLs (e.g., in contents and in contents\\modules)\n"
-        "    Certain games require specific NVIDIA DLLs when running with AMD/Intel GPUs (hint: look inside stub directory for DLLs)\n"
-        "\n"
-        "* (For advanced users) if none of the above helps, find the missing dependency using:\n"
-        "    https://github.com/lucasg/Dependencies (recommended for most) \n"
-        "    http://www.dependencywalker.com/ (for old OS) \n"
+        "DLL failed to load - this is a common error. Please carefully read ALL of the following steps for a fix:\n"
+        " 1. Confirm if the file ({}) exists on the disk and check the file permissions.\n"
+        " 2. Follow this link and install DLL prerequisites on this list:\n"
+        "        https://github.com/spice2x/spice2x.github.io/wiki/DLL-Dependencies \n"
+        " 3. Still have problems after installing from above and rebooting PC?\n"
+        "     a. Avoid manually specifying DLL path (-exec) and module directory (-modules); let spice2x auto-detect unless you have a good reason not to\n"
+        "     b. Ensure you do NOT have multiple copies of the game DLLs (e.g., in contents and in contents\\modules)\n"
+        "     c. Certain games require specific NVIDIA DLLs when running with AMD/Intel GPUs (hint: look inside stub directory for DLLs)\n"
+        " 4. (For advanced users) if none of the above helps, find the missing dependency using:\n"
+        "     a. https://github.com/lucasg/Dependencies (recommended for most) \n"
+        "     b. http://www.dependencywalker.com/ (for old OS) \n"
     , file_name) };
     if (fatal) {
         log_fatal("libutils", "{}", info_str);