diff --git a/payload/Autobleem 0.8.0 release notes.txt b/payload/Autobleem 0.8.1 release notes.txt
similarity index 85%
rename from payload/Autobleem 0.8.0 release notes.txt
rename to payload/Autobleem 0.8.1 release notes.txt
index 1ba8441..6587cef 100644
--- a/payload/Autobleem 0.8.0 release notes.txt	
+++ b/payload/Autobleem 0.8.1 release notes.txt	
@@ -1,5 +1,21 @@
 
 
+                                       *****************************
+                                       Autobleem-0.8.1 Release Notes
+                                       *****************************
+
+Fixes two problems in 0.8.0.
+
+1) Fixes a crash when you start Evo UI if the /Games directory is empty.
+
+2) Fixes always forcing a rescan if there are games that failed the verify 
+   step and were removed from the game list display.
+
+In addition Autobleem now splashes a message on screen if a game fails the verify.  
+The reason or reasons the game failed to verify are also output to 
+/Autobleem/bin/autobleem/gamesThatFailedVerifyCheck.txt.
+
+
                                        *****************************
                                        Autobleem-0.8.0 Release Notes
                                        *****************************
diff --git a/src/code/engine/GetGameDirHierarchy.cpp b/src/code/engine/GetGameDirHierarchy.cpp
index cc7b49e..5b5aeb0 100644
--- a/src/code/engine/GetGameDirHierarchy.cpp
+++ b/src/code/engine/GetGameDirHierarchy.cpp
@@ -174,10 +174,16 @@ void GamesHierarchy::getHierarchy(const std::string & path) {
     gameSubDirRows.emplace_back(top);
     top->scanAll();
 
-    // remove and any thaat have nothing to display
-    auto it = remove_if(begin(gameSubDirRows), end(gameSubDirRows), [&] (GameSubDirPtr &subdir) { return subdir->gamesToDisplay.size() == 0; });
+    // remove and any that have nothing to display
+    auto it = remove_if(begin(gameSubDirRows), end(gameSubDirRows), [&] (GameSubDirPtr &subdir)
+        { return subdir->gamesToDisplay.size() == 0; });
     gameSubDirRows.erase(it, end(gameSubDirRows));
 
+    // if we removed top because there no games at all then put it back so we can display that /Games
+    // has 0 games
+    if (gameSubDirRows.size() == 0)
+        gameSubDirRows.emplace_back(top);
+
     int rowIndex = 0;
     for (auto & row : gameSubDirRows) {
         row->displayRowIndex = rowIndex++;  // put the row index into the row for print and debugging convenience.
diff --git a/src/code/engine/game.cpp b/src/code/engine/game.cpp
index bb052eb..e8423d6 100644
--- a/src/code/engine/game.cpp
+++ b/src/code/engine/game.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <iostream>
 #include "../engine/scanner.h"
 #include "../environment.h"
+#include "../lang.h"
 
 using namespace std;
 
@@ -74,33 +75,63 @@ string USBGame::valueOrDefault(string name, string def, bool setAutomationIfDefa
 //*******************************
 // USBGame::verify
 //*******************************
-bool USBGame::verify() {
+bool USBGame::verify(std::vector<std::string> *failureReasons) {
     bool result = true;
 
-    if (discs.size() == 0)
+    if (discs.size() == 0) {
+        if (failureReasons)
+            failureReasons->emplace_back(_("No discs"));
         result = false;
+    }
 
     for (int i = 0; i < discs.size(); i++) {
-        if (discs[i].diskName.length() == 0)
+        if (discs[i].diskName.length() == 0) {
+            if (failureReasons)
+                failureReasons->emplace_back(_("No disc name"));
             result = false;
-        if (!discs[i].cueFound)
+        }
+        if (!discs[i].cueFound) {
+            if (failureReasons)
+                failureReasons->emplace_back(_("Cue file not found"));
             result = false;
-        if (!discs[i].binVerified)
+        }
+        if (!discs[i].binVerified) {
+            if (failureReasons)
+                failureReasons->emplace_back(_("Bin file failed to verify"));
             result = false;
+        }
     }
 
-    if (!gameDataFound)
+    if (!gameDataFound) {
+        if (failureReasons)
+            failureReasons->emplace_back(_("Game file not found"));
         result = false;
-    if (!gameIniFound)
+    }
+    if (!gameIniFound) {
+        if (failureReasons)
+            failureReasons->emplace_back(_("Game.ini file not found"));
         result = false;
-    if (!gameIniValid)
+    }
+    if (!gameIniValid) {
+        if (failureReasons)
+            failureReasons->emplace_back(_("Game.ini file not valid"));
         result = false;
-    if (!coverImageFound)
+    }
+    if (!coverImageFound) {
+        if (failureReasons)
+            failureReasons->emplace_back(_("Cover image file not found"));
         result = false;
-    if (!licFound)
+    }
+    if (!licFound) {
+        if (failureReasons)
+            failureReasons->emplace_back(_(".lic file not found"));
         result = false;
-    if (!pcsxCfgFound)
+    }
+    if (!pcsxCfgFound) {
+        if (failureReasons)
+            failureReasons->emplace_back(_("pcsx.cfg file not found"));
         result = false;
+    }
 
     if (!result) {
         cerr << "Game: " << title << " Validation Failed" << endl;
@@ -139,11 +170,14 @@ bool USBGame::print() {
         cout << "  BIN correct: " << discs[i].binVerified << endl;
     }
 
-    bool result = verify();
+    vector<string> failureReasons;
+    bool result = verify(&failureReasons);
     if (result) {
-        cout << "-------OK-------" << endl;
+        cout << "-------Game Verify OK-------" << endl;
     } else {
-        cout << "------FAIL------" << endl;
+        cout << "------Game Verify FAIL------" << endl;
+        for (const auto & reason : failureReasons)
+            cout << "Reason: " << reason << endl;
     }
 
     return result;
diff --git a/src/code/engine/game.h b/src/code/engine/game.h
index 4a3e881..5e13307 100644
--- a/src/code/engine/game.h
+++ b/src/code/engine/game.h
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class USBGame {
     void readIni(std::string path);
     void saveIni(std::string path);
     void recoverMissingFiles();
-    bool verify();
+    bool verify(std::vector<std::string> *failureReasons = nullptr);
     bool print();
     void updateObj();
     bool validateCue(std::string cuePath, std::string path);
diff --git a/src/code/engine/inifile.cpp b/src/code/engine/inifile.cpp
index df175ba..9496597 100644
--- a/src/code/engine/inifile.cpp
+++ b/src/code/engine/inifile.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ using namespace std;
 
 //*******************************
 // Inifile::load
+// warning: load()is being used to append/overwrite default theme.ini values to an existing theme.ini values
 //*******************************
 void Inifile::load(const string & _path) {
     this->path = _path;
diff --git a/src/code/engine/inifile.h b/src/code/engine/inifile.h
index cebd21d..9b368ac 100644
--- a/src/code/engine/inifile.h
+++ b/src/code/engine/inifile.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class Inifile {
     std::string entry="";                       // example: "007 Racing (USA)"
     std::map<std::string, std::string> values;  // see example data above
 
+    // warning: load()is being used to append/overwrite default theme.ini values to an existing theme.ini values
     void load(const std::string & path);
     void save(const std::string & path);
     void print();
diff --git a/src/code/engine/scanner.cpp b/src/code/engine/scanner.cpp
index 833602d..fbe5e21 100644
--- a/src/code/engine/scanner.cpp
+++ b/src/code/engine/scanner.cpp
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ void Scanner::scanUSBGamesDirectory(GamesHierarchy &gamesHierarchy) {
             //cout << "serial: " << game->serial << ", region: " << game->region << ", " << game->title <<endl;
 
             // if there was no ini file before, get the values for the ini, create the cover file if needed, and create/update the game.ini file
-            if ( !game->gameIniFound || game->automationUsed) {
+            if ( !game->gameIniFound || game->automationUsed || (game->discs.size()==0) ) {
 
 				if (!game->serial.empty()) {
 					//cout << "Accessing metadata for serial: " << game->serial << endl;
@@ -446,7 +446,8 @@ void Scanner::scanUSBGamesDirectory(GamesHierarchy &gamesHierarchy) {
             game->readIni(gameIniPath); // the updated iniValues are needed for updateObj
 			//game->print();
 
-			if (game->verify()) {
+            vector<string> failureReasons;
+			if (game->verify(&failureReasons)) {
                 gamesToAddToDB.push_back(game);
 
                 string memcardPath = game->saveStatePath + sep + "memcards/";
@@ -465,7 +466,11 @@ void Scanner::scanUSBGamesDirectory(GamesHierarchy &gamesHierarchy) {
                 DirEntry::generateM3UForDirectory(game->fullPath, game->discs[0].cueName);
             }
             else {
+                splash->logText(_("Game failed to verify:") + " " + game->fullPath);
+                sleep(3);
                 badGameFile << "Game failed to verify: " << game->fullPath << endl;
+                for (const auto & reason : failureReasons)
+                    badGameFile << "Reason: " << reason << endl;
 
                 // the game did not pass the verify step and was not added to the DB.
                 // remove the game everywhere in the gamesHierarchy
@@ -489,6 +494,7 @@ void Scanner::scanUSBGamesDirectory(GamesHierarchy &gamesHierarchy) {
     gamesHierarchy.dumpRowDisplayGameInfo(outfile, true);
     outfile.close();
 
+    noGamesFoundDuringScan = (gamesToAddToDB.size() == 0);
     complete = true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/code/engine/scanner.h b/src/code/engine/scanner.h
index a294b47..5798278 100644
--- a/src/code/engine/scanner.h
+++ b/src/code/engine/scanner.h
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class Scanner {
     Scanner() {}
     USBGames gamesToAddToDB;
     bool forceScan=false;
-    bool noGamesFound=false;
+    bool noGamesFoundDuringScan=false;
 
     void scanUSBGamesDirectory(GamesHierarchy &gamesHierarchy);
     void repairBrokenCueFiles(const std::string & path);
diff --git a/src/code/environment.cpp b/src/code/environment.cpp
index b5bf3a4..7d02740 100644
--- a/src/code/environment.cpp
+++ b/src/code/environment.cpp
@@ -93,6 +93,16 @@ string Environment::getWorkingPath() {
 #endif
 }
 
+//*******************************
+// Environment::getSonyPath
+// 1 arg: "usb:/Autobleem/bin/autobleem/sony"
+// 2 arg: autobleem-gui executable dir + sep + "sony"
+// PSC: autobleem-gui executable dir
+//*******************************
+string Environment::getSonyPath() {
+    return getWorkingPath() + sep + "sony";
+}
+
 #if 0
 //*******************************
 // Environment::getPathToWorkingPathFile
diff --git a/src/code/environment.h b/src/code/environment.h
index eed384b..823e9b6 100644
--- a/src/code/environment.h
+++ b/src/code/environment.h
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ struct Environment {
     static std::string getPathToInternalDBFile();   // includes the "internal.db" filename
 
     static std::string getWorkingPath();  // 1 arg: "usb:/Autobleem/bin/autobleem", 2 arg: autobleem-gui executable dir
+    static std::string getSonyPath();  // 1 arg: "usb:/Autobleem/bin/autobleem/sony", 2 arg: "" + sep + "sony"
 //    static std::string getPathToWorkingPathFile(const std::string &filename);   // return path to file in working path
 
     static std::string getPathToThemesDir();        // "usb:/themes" or "./themes"
diff --git a/src/code/gui/gui.cpp b/src/code/gui/gui.cpp
index 958b167..dfa5102 100644
--- a/src/code/gui/gui.cpp
+++ b/src/code/gui/gui.cpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ string GuiBase::getCurrentThemePath() {
 #if defined(__x86_64__) || defined(_M_X64)
     string path = Env::getPathToThemesDir() + sep + cfg.inifile.values["theme"];
     if (!DirEntry::exists(path)) {
-        path = "./sony";
+        path = Env::getSonyPath();
     }
     return path;
 #else
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ string GuiBase::getCurrentThemeImagePath() {
 #if defined(__x86_64__) || defined(_M_X64)
     string path = getCurrentThemePath() + sep + "images";
     if (!DirEntry::exists(path)) {
-        path = "./sony/images";
+        path = Env::getSonyPath() + sep + "images";
     }
     return path;
 #else
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ string GuiBase::getCurrentThemeSoundPath() {
 #if defined(__x86_64__) || defined(_M_X64)
     string path = getCurrentThemePath() + sep + "sounds";
     if (!DirEntry::exists(path)) {
-        path = "./sony/sounds";
+        path = Env::getSonyPath() + sep + "sounds";
     }
     return path;
 #else
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ string GuiBase::getCurrentThemeFontPath() {
 #if defined(__x86_64__) || defined(_M_X64)
     string path = getCurrentThemePath() + sep + "font";
     if (!DirEntry::exists(path)) {
-        path = "./sony/font";
+        path = Env::getSonyPath() + sep + "font";
     }
     return path;
 #else
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ void Gui::menuSelection() {
             cout << "--" << SDL_JoystickName(joystick) << endl;
         }
     // Check if all OK
-    if (scanner->noGamesFound) {
+    if (scanner->noGamesFoundDuringScan) {
         criticalException(_("WARNING: NO GAMES FOUND. PRESS ANY BUTTON."));
     }
     //
diff --git a/src/code/launcher/gui_launcher.cpp b/src/code/launcher/gui_launcher.cpp
index ddb2f7e..96f038a 100644
--- a/src/code/launcher/gui_launcher.cpp
+++ b/src/code/launcher/gui_launcher.cpp
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ void GuiLauncher::getGames_SET_FAVORITE(PsGames* gamesList) {
 void GuiLauncher::getGames_SET_SUBDIR(int rowIndex, PsGames* gamesList) {
     GameRowInfos gameRowInfos;
     gui->db->getGameRowInfos(&gameRowInfos);
+    if (gameRowInfos.size() == 0)
+        return; // no games!
     currentUSBGameDirName = gameRowInfos[rowIndex].rowName;
 #if 0
     for (auto &gameRowInfo : gameRowInfos)
diff --git a/src/code/launcher/gui_launcher_loop.cpp b/src/code/launcher/gui_launcher_loop.cpp
index d8b7eac..7c7072b 100644
--- a/src/code/launcher/gui_launcher_loop.cpp
+++ b/src/code/launcher/gui_launcher_loop.cpp
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ void GuiLauncher::loop_chooseGameDir() {
     GameRowInfos gameRowInfos;
     gui->db->getGameRowInfos(&gameRowInfos);
     if (gameRowInfos.size() == 0) {
-        // abort
+        return; // no games!
     }
     auto guiGameDirMenu = new GuiGameDirMenu(renderer);
     for (auto &rowInfo : gameRowInfos) {
@@ -315,7 +315,9 @@ void GuiLauncher::loop_chooseGameDir() {
     guiGameDirMenu->show();
     bool cancelled = guiGameDirMenu->cancelled;
     currentUSBGameDirIndex = guiGameDirMenu->selected;
-    currentUSBGameDirName = gameRowInfos[currentUSBGameDirIndex].rowName;
+    currentUSBGameDirName = "";
+    if (currentUSBGameDirIndex < gameRowInfos.size())
+        currentUSBGameDirName = gameRowInfos[currentUSBGameDirIndex].rowName;
     delete guiGameDirMenu;
 
     if (cancelled)
diff --git a/src/code/launcher/ra_integrator.cpp b/src/code/launcher/ra_integrator.cpp
index 91402aa..a2c3f6e 100644
--- a/src/code/launcher/ra_integrator.cpp
+++ b/src/code/launcher/ra_integrator.cpp
@@ -125,7 +125,10 @@ void RAIntegrator::reloadFavorites() {
             }
         }
 
-        auto [found, index] = playlistNameToIndex(favoritesDisplayName);
+
+        std::tuple<bool,int> restuple = playlistNameToIndex(favoritesDisplayName);
+        bool found = std::get<0>(restuple);
+        int index = std::get<1>(restuple);
         if (found) {
             // the prior favorites is in the list.  modify the existing entry
             RAPlaylistInfo & fav = playlistInfos[index];
@@ -199,7 +202,9 @@ vector<string> RAIntegrator::getPlaylists() {
 //********************
 PsGames RAIntegrator::getGames(string playlist) {
     PsGames games;
-    auto [found, index] = playlistNameToIndex(playlist);
+    std::tuple<bool,int> restuple = playlistNameToIndex(playlist);
+    bool found = std::get<0>(restuple);
+    int index = std::get<1>(restuple);
     if (found)
         games = playlistInfos[index].psGames;
     return games;
@@ -209,7 +214,9 @@ PsGames RAIntegrator::getGames(string playlist) {
 // RAIntegrator::getGamesNumber
 //********************
 int RAIntegrator::getGamesNumber(string playlist) {
-    auto [found, index] = playlistNameToIndex(playlist);
+    std::tuple<bool,int> restuple = playlistNameToIndex(playlist);
+    bool found = std::get<0>(restuple);
+    int index = std::get<1>(restuple);
     if (found)
         return playlistInfos[index].psGames.size();
     else
diff --git a/src/code/main.cpp b/src/code/main.cpp
index 778b889..0de8732 100644
--- a/src/code/main.cpp
+++ b/src/code/main.cpp
@@ -210,16 +210,15 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     USBGame::sortByFullPath(allGames);
 
     bool autobleemPrevOutOfDate = gamesHierarchy.gamesDoNotMatchAutobleemPrev(prevPath);
-    bool thereAreGameFilesInGamesDir = scanner->areThereGameFilesInDir(pathToGamesDir);
+    bool thereAreRawGameFilesInGamesDir = scanner->areThereGameFilesInDir(pathToGamesDir);
 
-    if (!prevFileExists || thereAreGameFilesInGamesDir || autobleemPrevOutOfDate ||
-        db->subDirRowsTableIsEmpty() || db->getNumGames() == 0) {
+    if (!prevFileExists || thereAreRawGameFilesInGamesDir || autobleemPrevOutOfDate) {
         scanner->forceScan = true;
     }
 
     gui->display(scanner->forceScan, pathToGamesDir, db, false);
 
-    if (thereAreGameFilesInGamesDir)
+    if (thereAreRawGameFilesInGamesDir)
         copyGameFilesInGamesDirToSubDirs(pathToGamesDir);   // calls splash() so the gui->display needs to be up first
 
     while (gui->menuOption == MENU_OPTION_SCAN || gui->menuOption == MENU_OPTION_START) {
@@ -228,8 +227,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         gui->saveSelection();
         if (gui->menuOption == MENU_OPTION_SCAN) {
             gamesHierarchy.getHierarchy(pathToGamesDir);
-            scanGames(gamesHierarchy);
+            // write the prev file now.  if you call it after scanGames the games that failed to verify will have been
+            // removed from the hierarchy and it force you to rescan on every boot.
             gamesHierarchy.writeAutobleemPrev(prevPath);
+            scanGames(gamesHierarchy);
             if (gui->forceScan) {
                 gui->forceScan = false;
             } else {
diff --git a/src/resources/config.ini b/src/resources/config.ini
index df672d4..1bbdca4 100644
--- a/src/resources/config.ini
+++ b/src/resources/config.ini
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [AutoBleem]
-Version=v0.8.0
+Version=v0.8.1
 Pcsx=bleemsync
 Mip=false
 Autoregion=true