You need to install .Net 3.5 SP1 on Windows 8 before you can install any version of SQL Server. You need the special install media for Windows 8 found in the \SXS folder, and use the command below to do the install. Apart from that SQL Server 2008 does install OK.
Dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:"full path to \sxs" /LimitAccess
Original author: https://github.com/SQL-FineBuild/Common/wiki/ 1-click install and best practice configuration of SQL Server 2019, 2017 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008 and 2005.
When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor they call me a communist - Archbishop Hélder Câmara