So, does the upgrade "really" need to have anything previously on HD?

[Mac]

Hello guys.

When I 1st received mine from Amazon yesterday I was wondering myself, so I tried to do a advanced custom clean install from Windows 8 RTM enterprise what I did have installed at that time, and that actually work btw.

Windows 8 was automatically activated aswell.

 

[Moodkiller]

So it looks like you can't install this on a blank drive.

so even though you used VMware to try and install windows 8 on a blank disk, does this mean I can install windows on a new ssd that I bought that currently has nothing on it....

 

[BillWindows]

I see no reason why you can't install it on a clean disk if you're putting it on the same PC.

MS will already have a record of the activation anyway.

 

[Ryan2320]

So it looks like you can't install this on a blank drive.

so even though you used VMware to try and install windows 8 on a blank disk, does this mean I can install windows on a new ssd that I bought that currently has nothing on it....

If you bought Windows 8 (the upgrade) I don't think it will work, because this is a new drive and there was no Windows 7, Vista or XP before on that SSD.

It looks like you will need to get the Windows 8 System Builder kit....

Hope this Helps.

 

[Moodkiller]

If you bought Windows 8 (the upgrade) I don't think it will work, because this is a new drive and there was no Windows 7, Vista or XP before on that SSD.

It looks like you will need to get the Windows 8 System Builder kit....

Hope this Helps.

ah bummer.. there is so much contrivers with this and I have read and been told that I should be able to do a clean install with windows 8 on a fresh hard drive as long as I have a genuine windows package (which I do) ....

 

[BillWindows]

Just give it a go what does it matter, its a clean disk anyway it doesn't take long to install, you'll soon find out.

 

[Moodkiller]

what I did want to do then was save me some cash, although it is cheap the moment, but if this doesnt work, then at least I can put that money towards the full version of windows 8

 

[tangorade]

Glad to report that it works! I used a Win7 retail disc and did a clean reformat. I did not enter a serial number and left the OS on 30-day trial mode.
I went to the Windows 8 upgrade page and downloaded the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant and made the purchase from there.
My guess is that the Upgrade Assistant never checked for a product key!!
This is great news especially since I've never owned a Windows OS (had a volume-licensed WinXP then a pirated Win7 in my teens). Feels good to finally have a legit OS for my homebrew.
I was able to burn my DVD ISO and do a clean reformat using that Win8 disc.
Thanks to dproberts55 for posting his results and making it known this is even possible.
To Microsoft, thanks for letting the few of us that have been too broke to afford your excellent OS finally get on the bandwagon. Now that I have Win8 Pro, I won't mind shelling out another $40 for Win9 in a few years. Microsoft now has a new loyal customer..

I almost forgot to mention, after I entered my payment information (credit card number, billing address) and clicked the "make purchase" button (or whatever it says), the Upgrade Assistant said that the purchase could not be completed. So I clicked "back" (you're never supposed to do this) and rechecked my payment information (card number, etc.). I clicked "make purchase" again and again it failed. I then used a completely different card and the purchase went through. I later checked my checking account via online banking and I had BEEN CHARGED THE FIRST TWO TIMES!! YES, THE FIRST TWO THAT HAD SUPPOSEDLY FAILED!
I don't know if anyone else has experienced this or will experience it but those 3 charges, each for $39.99 work out to being just under the price for Windows 8 "System Builder" DVD on Newegg for $140!
I called Microsoft and they politely informed me that I'll be given a refund (seriously, bless them, they're too good to us) but I wondered if this was Microsoft's way of getting close to fair market value for their new OS..
I'm just happy I got Win8 Pro.

 

[roofrider]

I'm yet to catch up on this thread, my case is similar.
I'll be installing it on a new hdd, mobo and processor too.
I want to know if that can be done with the retail upgrade dvd. Or do i need the systen builder?
My original post is in this thread here http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/10627-x32-x64-did-i-get-2.html#post127639

 

[theog]

Yes, you can, but the same rules apply as Windows 7 End User Liicence Agreement:
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Forums

So in the end you have to have a valid Windows 7 OS (or other ones that are listed) to be able to clean install Windows 8. .

Yes, than you do a clean install legally.

Do you have a valid Windows XP/Vista or 7 OS for the new PC.
If NO, you need a full.retail or OEM.

 

[pparks1]

So it looks like you can't install this on a blank drive.

so even though you used VMware to try and install windows 8 on a blank disk, does this mean I can install windows on a new ssd that I bought that currently has nothing on it....

The test he did with VMWare should be the same as if you had a blank hard drive in your computer. It sounds like it DOES not work as it won't activate with that key.

Glad to report that it works! I used a Win7 retail disc and did a clean reformat. I did not enter a serial number and left the OS on 30-day trial mode.

This does NOT mean it installs to a blank hard drive. This means it installs to a previously installed system, whether activated or not. That is NOT, what I want. I would have liked to have been able to load Windows 8 without loading Windows 7.

This is great news especially since I've never owned a Windows OS (had a volume-licensed WinXP then a pirated Win7 in my teens). Feels good to finally have a legit OS for my homebrew.

Well, technically you do NOT have a legit OS. You weren't entitled to the upgrade version, you should have paid the price for the full version. You took advantage of a loophole.

To Microsoft, thanks for letting the few of us that have been too broke to afford your excellent OS finally get on the bandwagon. Now that I have Win8 Pro, I won't mind shelling out another $40 for Win9 in a few years. Microsoft now has a new loyal customer..

You say it was a homebrew computer. How much did you spend on the hardware? I always question people who say they were too broke to pay the $100 for Windows 7 OEM..but then you find out they bought a $300 video card, and a $200 SSD, etc. I'm glad you have a paid for OS now...even if it was a violation of the EULA since you didn't own a previous version of Windows.

I'm yet to catch up on this thread, my case is similar.
I'll be installing it on a new hdd, mobo and processor too.
I want to know if that can be done with the retail upgrade dvd. Or do i need the systen builder?
My original post is in this thread here http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/10627-x32-x64-did-i-get-2.html#post127639

In your case, you NEED the System Builder license. The upgrade is only intended to upgrade...not build new.

 

[roofrider]

I'm yet to catch up on this thread, my case is similar.
I'll be installing it on a new hdd, mobo and processor too.
I want to know if that can be done with the retail upgrade dvd. Or do i need the systen builder?
My original post is in this thread here http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/10627-x32-x64-did-i-get-2.html#post127639

In your case, you NEED the System Builder license. The upgrade is only intended to upgrade...not build new.

The oem versions are unfair, make any hardware change and activation is void. I'm using it on only one pc for personal use.
Btw i have win7 oem and i want to make that change to retail, but i don't think there will be a full retail for win8.

One way i can try is, after changing the hardware, i install my x86 win7 oem and try to get it activated by calling MS(i don't remember if there is a trial period for ome, if there is then i don't need to call MS).
If that is a success, then i can get the win8 dvd and install the x64 win8 pro.
This is just the theory i'm not sure if it'll work.
To be noted, i'll be doing a cross architecture upgrade, i need the x64 win8 on my x64 capable system running x86 win7 oem. As told previously hardware change is also in the equation.

And btw i think the virtual machine test failed because win8 can't be installed on 2 systems simultaneously...but the error did say something about it's only an upgrade version. notsure.

 

[Moodkiller]

OK, so I think I have worked this out now... I should, in theory, be able to download and "upgrade" my current windows 7 machine to windows 8. But then instead of installing windows 8 onto the hdd with 7 on it, I will burn it to a disk and then install it to my ssd later.

I get the impression that Windows 8 makes sure you have a valid windows installation before it downloads and then after that it doesnt matter...

 

[Phone Man]

OK, so I think I have worked this out now... I should, in theory, be able to download and "upgrade" my current windows 7 machine to windows 8. But then instead of installing windows 8 onto the hdd with 7 on it, I will burn it to a disk and then install it to my ssd later.

I get the impression that Windows 8 makes sure you have a valid windows installation before it downloads and then after that it doesnt matter...

It also needs to see the previous version on your system during the upgrade.

Jim

 

[roofrider]

OK, so I think I have worked this out now... I should, in theory, be able to download and "upgrade" my current windows 7 machine to windows 8. But then instead of installing windows 8 onto the hdd with 7 on it, I will burn it to a disk and then install it to my ssd later.

I get the impression that Windows 8 makes sure you have a valid windows installation before it downloads and then after that it doesnt matter...

Not so easy.
In theory u will be able to install it on a brand new ssd but u'll not be able to activate it.
There are workarounds for it but it's not a guarantee.
Someone said a double installation of win8 will do the trick like it was with win7.
U could try the phone activation method.
Something to do with editing the registry fixes it.

 

[Moodkiller]

It also needs to see the previous version on your system during the upgrade.

Jim

So if I perhaps install windows 7 onto the ssd first, activate it, and then install the update version of windows 8, that should be fine??

and then roofrider

Someone said a double installation of win8 will do the trick like it was with win7.

could you please explain this method??

 

[roofrider]

and then roofrider

Someone said a double installation of win8 will do the trick like it was with win7.

could you please explain this method??

Install win8 normally, it wont' activate.
Then do a fresh install win8 again over the existing win8 partition and u'll be fine.

Another option,
Install the win8 Release Preview on the new hdd and then install win8 pro

Have the reg hack as the last option but it's confirmed to work for almost everyone.

 

[pparks1]

I'm yet to catch up on this thread, my case is similar.
I'll be installing it on a new hdd, mobo and processor too.
I want to know if that can be done with the retail upgrade dvd. Or do i need the systen builder?
My original post is in this thread here http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/10627-x32-x64-did-i-get-2.html#post127639

In your case, you NEED the System Builder license. The upgrade is only intended to upgrade...not build new.

The oem versions are unfair, make any hardware change and activation is void.

Untrue. With OEM versions in the past, you are NOT allowed to move the OEM license to another computer. And with any version of Windows, OEM or retail, if you make a substantial # of changes to your system you may have to reactivate it and this might cause you to have to make a phone call rather than activating over the Internet. Now, with the OEM version in the past, if you upgraded your mobo, processor, memory....well that you were really building a new computer and activation may remain in a failed state.

With the new System Builder licence, it's suitable for the home hobbyist to use now (in the past, MS said it was not). You are going to use the Personal Use License (PUL). Windows 8 System Builder Product--Personal Use License


The license above grants exclusively the right to transfer this PUL to another computer;

Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.

 

[roofrider]

Untrue. With OEM versions in the past, you are NOT allowed to move the OEM license to another computer. And with any version of Windows, OEM or retail, if you make a substantial # of changes to your system you may have to reactivate it and this might cause you to have to make a phone call rather than activating over the Internet. Now, with the OEM version in the past, if you upgraded your mobo, processor, memory....well that you were really building a new computer and activation may remain in a failed state.

With the new System Builder licence, it's suitable for the home hobbyist to use now (in the past, MS said it was not). You are going to use the Personal Use License (PUL). Windows 8 System Builder Product--Personal Use License


The license above grants exclusively the right to transfer this PUL to another computer;

Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.

I understand, that post is so yesterday.
I did say in another thread the win8 oems are hardware upgrade friendly.
While with win7 oems technically hardware upgrades are not allowed but MS did allow it, if u say motherboard=computer i'm not going to argue but i don't agree.
I'll say upgrading and u'll say building a new computer, whatever the case may be MS did reactivate but it was not straightforward, it was a gamble and it depended on the person at the other end of the line, but most of the time they re activated it.
There have been cases where even with motherboard change(i'm not talking about say model replacement) the win7 oem key was activated without any trouble not even a phone call was required. And other cases where even simple reinstall with no changes resulted in phone activation be required. It depends.
However MS recognized this and that is why a change has been brought about in the win8 system builder pul license.
Now, will they still be as lenient as they have been with win7 oem even today after the win8 release? I don't know.

 

[Phone Man]

and then roofrider

Someone said a double installation of win8 will do the trick like it was with win7.

could you please explain this method??

Install win8 normally, it wont' activate.
Then do a fresh install win8 again over the existing win8 partition and u'll be fine.

You can not install Windows 8 without entering the product key and if it is a upgrade key it won't install if it doesn't see a previous version on your system. This is not Windows 7 and the rules have changed.

Jim