Solved Old XP machine, new SSD for Win8...is this an upgrade or need OEM?

I am having trouble reasoning this out, and would appreciate any help.

I have an old machine, I built 5 years ago...it currently has 2 HDD's, one of which runs legit XP...installed from a DVD delivered with a previous Dell machine. I have a new SSD, that will be used to install Windows 8...currently empty, but attached to the Mobo.

I have run Windows 8 update advisor, and it wants me to download an upgrade for $40...however, I have been told in the PC shop that I will be "safer" if I buy the $150 OEM version.

In my world $110 is a big difference...and if the upgrade will work, I would opt for that. I just can't seem to find confirmation anywhere that this will be possible. In my mind, I will run the upgrade assistant, pay the $40, create an ISO, disconnect all HDD's and run a clean install on the new SDD.

Is that still an upgrade? or will the upgrade version block me at the activation stage somehow?

I don't want to spend $40 to discover it doesn't work, and that I need to spend another $150...

Thanks for any advice!!

Well, to follow up...I went through the process like this:
Installed windows update advisor to my new SSD running windows 8 consumer preview
Shut down and disconnected all other HDD's
Booted to the SSD, and ran the advisor in W8CP...paid for and downloaded W8 pro for $40
Installed from the SSD using the "leave nothing" option
(At no point was I asked to enter product keys for my old xp installation or the new W8 liscense)
Shut down and reconnected old HDD's...
System shows Windows 8 Pro, 32 bit Operating System, x64 based processor, Windows is activated, Product ID xxxx

Today I plan to figure out a way to populate my new W8 user account with the files from the old xp installation...unless...

I did somehow end up with W8 32bit...was never asked if I wanted 64bit...I guess this was determined automatically somehow?

Can anyone say if there is a way to create an install disc that would let me do a 64bit install?

Thanks.

As you have Win XP, do a clean install from DVD.


How to clean install:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

:thumb::thumb:

dproberts55 said:

I actually just installed on a new computer I built that had Windows 7 installed but no key (30 day grace period) and it installed without a hitch. I reformatted my HD as well. I just hope I don't start getting black screened and have to go back and install a previous valid version of windows, then reinstall windows 8. I just don't get it, technically my install isn't valid according to MS. It says right on the upgrade page, "To install Windows 8 Pro, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7." I was expecting it to ask me for a valid Key from a previous version of windows, but it never did... When I go into system in Win 8 it says my version of windows is authentic. I've heard other reports of this as well when people upgraded from releaes preview.

Click to expand...

Glad to report that it works! Just like dproberts55 above me, 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.

Sweet, I too can confirm success...

I have done the following:
-Bought a new ssd for my old pc running xp
-downloaded win8 consumer preview 64bit iso
-made usb boot key using windows 7 dvd/usb boot tool
-rebooted after disconnecting old HDD's and connecting new SSD
-installed W8CP to new ssd using usb key
-downloaded upgrade assistant from within x64 environment and re-downloaded the setup file (using a key that i got when i tried this earlier in a 32bit version of W8CP...which got me a 32bit install of W8Pro)
-ran directly from the disk keeping nothing
-set up my user accounts to redirect pricipal folders to the old locations i was using in xp
-now in W8 x64, and everything seems fine