djarv47: Just reinstalled completely IWD1 Complete, still no joy.
Tweaked a lot of the settings but it will still never launch. Play button goes gray for a few seconds, then returns to normal.
No problem at all with IWD2 Complete.
(...) Can I buy a clue here?
Hello djarv47!
Recently, I had a similar problem with the (original) complete editions from GOG.com.
Icewind Dale II Complete installed and run just fine ("out of the box"), while Icewind Dale Complete (the first game) refused to launch after installation.
It was especcially strange to me, because I used the same installer, which ran without any problems on a different machine.
So, here is what helped me to play again Icewind Dale Complete:
After you have installed the game open the folder to where you did install it. Look for a .dll-file by the following name:
=> ddraw.dll
It is supposed to be in the game's main directory.
Try to move it out of the game's folder (keeping it available for backup reasons) or simply delete this .dll-file.
With this ddraw.dll-file present in the installation folder Icewind Dale (I) Complete refused to load on my laptop! Taking it away (e.g. by cut-and-paste to a different location outside the game's installation folder) and it would start and run just fine.
Maybe this helps in your case as well.
And enjoy playing those two classic dungeon crawlers!
Kind regards,
foxgog
[Edit:]
P.S.: Regarding compatibility options:
I tried various combinations with the same end result. As long as the aforementioned .dll-file was present, the game refused to start!
Now, after removing the corresponding .dll-file I have only the "Run as Administrator" option enabled for the game's .exe-file under its compatibility tab -- nothing else.