So I have read all the possible fixes and none of them have worked for me. Compatibility mode,trying to install game in a simple directory,running in administrator (which I do always anyway) and nothing. Game installs fine but upon starting the icon appears in task bar but screen sort of freezes and then game just exits without playing the intro FMV I am guessing.
No error messages or anything pop up. Just won't start.

I have win 8.1 up to date and a Nvidia 760GTX if that helps anyone with suggestions.Would appreciate any help and am going to put a ticket in and see if they have any suggestions. I should have known I would have issues with an older game but for $2 its not like I care too much if it never ran but really would like to play.

Open the properties of the Start menu shortcut (should be available in the Windows 8.1 Start screen) and select the Compatibility tab. There you set Windows 98/ME (if Windows 8.1 has this, otherwise just Windows 98) and save the change by clicking on Ok. Pacific General should then start.

A serious provider would of course have mentioned this somewhere in the description, but hey, it's GOG.