When I try to launch Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, I keep getting this "Critical Error - General protection fault!" error message when loading the game. I'm not sure how to run the game because it won't move past this screen. Does anyone know how to solve this?

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.

How did you run it in Windows XP mode?

I have the same problem, try in XP mode, nothing.

for the flickering use the fix in pc gaming wiki's page for this game, it happens with every UE2 game