Hey guys i've used IWD2 in the past before I had to upgrade to windows 8.1 since then IWD2 has
been unresponsive on start up. I click the file it runs for a few seconds then stops. I've tried the
ddraw fix and the widescreen mode fix, to no avail. Can somebody out there help me with this issue?

Try to install this - http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109

If installing DirectX 9 from the post above doesn't work, try running the game in compatibility mode for Windows 7 or XP. Right-click the game's shortcut => Properties => Compatibility tab. Also mark the option to run the game as an administrator.

Just in case, don't install the game into the "Program Files" folder but into a custom location like C:\GOG Games\

Alas I've tried both of those i even went and made an administrator mode login to play it as well still to no avail

If I've understood right, you upgraded your system to Windows 8.1 with a running version of IWD2 already installed. I'd backup the savegames, uninstall the game, delete all remaining files and folders (if any) and start with a new installation. Check if it runs and if it does copy your saves back.

Also try different Compatibility Modes plus running the game as Admin (checked on the Compatibility tab) as written before.

Also update your graphic card's drivers.

Run "setup-ddrawfix.exe" in the IWD2 folder and switch from WineD3D to Force Direct Draw Emulation. This should allow the game to launch. If you experience a flicking cursor and slow downs, you can try my guide:

http://www.gog.com/forum/icewind_dale/windows_81_directdraw_solution_for_iwd2

tried all of thee above with no success v.v

Try this :

http://www.gog.com/forum/icewind_dale_series/windows_81_directdraw_solution_for_iwd2

Uninstall ddrawfix
Remove all compatibility settings you created
Download the ddwrapper
Copy all the files in your iwd2 directory
Edit aqrit.cfg to look like this :

;;; www.bitpatch.com ;;;

RealDDrawPath = AUTO
BltMirror = 0
BltNoTearing = 0
ColorFix = 0
DisableHighDpiScaling = 1
FakeVsync = 0
FakeVsyncInterval = 0
ForceBltNoTearing = 0
ForceDirectDrawEmulation = 1
NoVideoMemory = 1
SingleProcAffinity = 0
ShowFPS = 0

none of these worked so i said fuck it and downgraded back to window 8.0 it works now

Hm, I run 8.1 and was able to get IWD2 to work just now, tested to see since I hadn't tried playing it on my new laptop. If downgrading to 8 worked for you though, happy gaming:)

A little late for the OP, but I only had to do the first step (removin ddraw_fix - I hadn't set any compatibility settings). That got it working for me when neither WineDDraw or ForceDirectDrawEmulation would work. People's mileage may vary, of course.

Flynn

This worked great for me. Using Win 8.1