Install Windows 8.1 64bit on a Macbook Pro Late 2008 (using bootcamp 4.0.4033)

Question

Hi everyone, I just tried to install windows 8.1 64bit (x64) on my MacBook Pro 15'' Late 2008 (Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz - 4GB RAM - Nvidia 9600M GT 512Mo), running Mavericks (10.9.5), and successed it with bootcamp 4.0.4033.
I installed it from scratch (new partition, no update from windows 7), in less than 1h following these very simple steps :
Step "0" :
- You'll need an two-button usb mouse plugged
- Make sure your 64bit kernel is activated by typing this line of command in the terminal :
sudo systemsetup -setkernelbootarchitecture x86_64
If you need to cancel it, simply type this :
sudo systemsetup -setkernelbootarchitecture i386
I don't really know if this activation is necessary, but I did it 6 months ago for After Effects and maybe this activation has an effect on what happens next.
Step 1 : download the contents of bootcamp 4.0.4033 on a USB key, downloadable here :  Boot Camp Support Software 4.0.4033
After the download, you'll need to unzip this file in your usb key.
NB : This bootcamp only works from XP to windows 7, but it will be enough for your old-timer laptop.
Step 2 : Create a new NTFS partition on your HDD (using the disk utility)
Windows 8.1 64 bit needs at least 20GB, so I recommend a 100GB partition as a minimum for a correct running OS (the "15%" rule).
NB : Windows 8.1 will run over a NTFS partition and nothing else.
Step 3 : Insert your bootable windows 64bit 8.1 (CD or USB key).
Step 4 : Reboot your laptop, and keep pressed the Alt key just after the boot bell sound.
The OS selection screen loads. Once appeared, you can release the Alt key.
Step 5 : If your bootable device is working, the OS selection screen will display a "Windows 8.1" HDD or CD icon. Click on it and presse "enter".
Maybe you'll see a "UFI Windows" or "UFI Boot" or "UFI something...", this doesn't work.
After pressing "enter", the windows 8.1 installation process will start.
Step 6 : During the installation process, you'll have to chose the destination partition for your OS.
Select the partition you've created earlier (step 2)
Following the windows 8.1 steps are very simple.
NB : Don't forget to press the Alt key when windows 8.1 tries to restart!
Step 7 : Eject your windows 8.1 CD/usb key, then reboot holding Alt key, and select your freshly installed windows OS in the selection screen
Step 8 : After windows 8.1 is loaded, insert your usb key with Bootcamp 4.0.4033, open the "bootcamp" folder, right-click on the bootcamp setup, and click on "properties".
Select the "compatibility" tab
Check the box "run this program in compatibility mode for"
In the list below this box, select "Windows 7"
Click "Apply" then "Ok"
Now launch this boot camp setup (press "enter" or double-click)
Step 9 : Complete the BootCamp installation process, then restart (like step 7)
Don't forget to hold the Alt key after the bell sound
Step 10 : Enjoy your freshly installed windows 8.1!
You can acces your bootcamp parameters from the task bar (click on the tiny booycamp icon to open the quick menu and then click on the parameters/configurater). Here you can set your keyboard preference, your trackpad preference (multi-touch works), etc.
Following this procedure, I can use the built-in Apple-maped keyboard of my MBP. Every function keys works (Volume, luminosity, etc.)
Coming from Windows XPSP3, I was very surprised by the speed of the windows 8.1 installation (using an external USB super drive), and more surprised by this OS running flawlessly on my undying MBP!
The only issue I have is that my ethernet port isn't recognized, but it's a minor problem and i'm gonna found it quickly. I think it's due to my installation which wasn't perfectly clean (I try to run manually bootcamp 5.0.1 first, so there is some crap drivers somewhere).
So in order to confirm this procedure, i'm gonna re-install windows 8.1 from scratch very soon, because it take less time to do it (from step 1 to step 10) than write this article!
Message was edited by: Lud@l

Answer 1

And I used this method:
1. Install Windows 8.1
2. Download BootCamp 5 and unzip to folder BootCamp5 of a USB drive
3. Start CMD as Administrator
4. Install BootCamp 5 by entering the following commands
D: (Assuming the USB drive is assigned to letter D
CD BootCamp5\BootCamp\Drivers\Apple
BootCamp.msi
No need for InstEd might be considered by some as even more elegant as bezodziu's method