xemu.exe crashes when MSI Afterburner overlay is enabled (Not Responding)

[kathyrollo]

Bug Description

Upon launching the xemu executable file, it stays black for a few seconds and then proceeds to Not Responding as seen below:

This prevents any further action within the emulator and menus are not accessible to set up initial configuration.

Expected Behavior

A popup should appear on first launch, which allows you to set the required files in the config after closing the popup.

xemu Version

xemu.log:

Created QEMU launch parameters: C:\Users\rollo\OneDrive\Desktop\xemu-win-release\xemu.exe -machine xbox,kernel-irqchip=off,avpack=hdtv -device smbus-storage,file=C:\Users\rollo\AppData\Roaming\xemu\xemu\eeprom.bin -m 64 -drive index=1,media=cdrom,file= -display xemu -device usb-hub,port=1,ports=4 -audiodev none,id=snd0 
xemu_version: 0.7.98
xemu_branch: master
xemu_commit: 7bfb7c85378f64f93556c365ea0cc18cb2181dc8
xemu_date: Mon Jul 10 04:23:15 UTC 2023
xemu_settings_get_base_path: base path: C:\Users\rollo\AppData\Roaming\xemu\xemu\
xemu_settings_get_path: config path: C:\Users\rollo\AppData\Roaming\xemu\xemu\xemu.toml
Config file not found, starting with default settings.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H with Radeon Graphics         
OS_Version:  22H2
GL_VENDOR: ATI Technologies Inc.
GL_RENDERER: AMD Radeon(TM) Graphics
GL_VERSION: 4.0.0 Core Profile Context 23.7.1.230626
GL_SHADING_LANGUAGE_VERSION: 4.60
Failed to load BIOS '(null)'
audio: Device ac97: audiodev default parameter is deprecated, please specify audiodev=snd0

System Information

Mini PC: Beelink SER5 Pro - https://www.bee-link.com/beelink-amd-ryzen-5-ser5-5800u-minipc-clone-1

OS: Win11 Pro 22H2 CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H - https://www.amd.com/en/products/apu/amd-ryzen-7-5800h GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics (integrated) GPU Driver: AMD Software Adrenalin Edition 23.7.1 (latest)

Additional Context

I have multiple standalone emulators and this only happens with xemu.

UPDATE: 2023-07-23

The issue occurs because xemu is incompatible with MSI Afterburner which is a very popular statistics overlay among gamers.

The workaround is to disable the overlay in RTSS by holding down Shift + Add while xemu is running (source).

[OCRBonk]

I have the same issue but upon looking in Task Manager the program starts eating RAM until it can't eat anymore and then becomes unresponsive and freezes.

[mborgerson]

@kathyrollo Thanks for filing a bug report. I'd like to help resolve the issue, but unfortunately I'm unable to reproduce the crash locally. Can you please create a process core dump for diagnosis and send it to me privately.

You can create a dump by first applying the registry edit found in this Zip file: xemu_dump_registry_config.zip This registry edit will configure Windows to create a dump whenever xemu crashes. The dump will be stored at %LOCALAPPDATA%\CrashDumps. You may notice a delay after xemu crashes while this file is saved.

Then, please download and run the debug build of xemu found at: https://github.com/xemu-project/xemu/releases/download/v0.7.100/xemu-win-debug.zip

[kathyrollo]

@mborgerson I figured out the cause. Updated the original post. Not sure if the devs will consider this a bug of xemu, but leaving it open to your decision. Thanks!

[scipply]

I found on the xemu discord that if you dont have afterburner or something like that, it might be bc of windows security. To allow xemu run(and for me give another error), go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > App and browser control > Exploit protection settings > Program settings > Add program to customize > Add by program name >type xemu.exe and then at Overide system settings(first line) and Control flow guard aka CFG turn them on and toggle them on (thanks MS for making us dig so deep)