I picked up Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell in the weekend sale and I'm having an issue with getting the game running. When I try to launch the game, I keep getting this "Critical Error - General protection fault! History:" error message when loading the game. I'm not sure how to run the game because it won't move past this. Does anyone know how to solve this issue?

I'm using Windows 8.1, an i5 4590, a GTX 580 and 16 GB RAM

EDIT: Good news, I fixed it! I ran the game in compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 2 and 3 both work) and now the game runs fine. I'm still having a problem with cutscenes flickering, however, but at least the game is running now and appears to be fine.

I'm currently installing it to see if I have any problem but my system is different from yours.

I do strongly encourage you to open a ticket with support as Window 8 is supported. This way if they can't help you make it work then you can probably get your money back.

In my experience a GPF, sometime with XP and more often with newer Windows version, strongly (but not always) point to a hardware issue. I haven't personally experienced a GPF that was not a precursor to a device failure since Windows XP SP2. (I never used an earlier version of XP at home, I used 98SE before that)

OK, it's started fine on my system with no problem playing the intro movie.

My system:
OS: Windows 7 64 bits
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q8300 2.5 GHz
RAM: 8 GB
Sound: Realtek High Definition Audio
Video Card: GEFORCE GTX 650

Keep me informed. I have this on disc and thought it might be nice to get in here but alas who knows. :P

I'll file one. Are you saying it's possibly a problem with my hardware?

with modern video cards the game looks far worse than it should and is borderline unplayable in later levels due to missing shadows and lighting that is not able to be replicated on modern cards.

Broken shadow solution

A few reported on Steam that XP Compatibility mode might help, another forcing VSync through GPU rather than in-game.

I had to disable OSD info with MSI AB when I play SC Chaos Theory but that might not extend to the first game but just in case you use a similar service, try it.

I recall a solution for games with general protection and is to add the .EXE to DEP-exception. Since DEP is a security feature, I don't advise to you use it in case you are computer novice.

As with most older games I always disable visual themes, desktop composition and DPI view; many don't like these settings. Admin right might help in case you installed it in a protected folder and you are on a non-admin account.

Yes, but not with 100% certitude.

I was able to get it running by using compatibility mode for Windows XP. Cutscenes are flickering for some reason, but at least the game is running now.