Hello Chef Chris.
Thank you for visiting the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program forum. I understand the inconvenience you are currently experiencing. We have seen numerous issues from customers who were provided a Volume License Key (VLK) on their computer that has either been blocked by Microsoft or generated by a fake product key code generator. WGA currently provides checks for these types of product keys and prompts the user to notify them of this situation. More invalid product keys are being identified daily and WGA is constantly refreshing its database with these newly identified product keys and immediately blocks them.
Right now, your computer has a Volume License (VL) edition of Windows XP identified. The installation was done with a now-blocked Volume License Key (VLK) located on line 2. VLKs are blocked by Microsoft at the request of the original product key holder for various reasons such as the product key was lost, stolen, compromised, misused, or expired. Also, MS may have blocked the key if it notices a pattern of misuse, i.e., more installations of Windows XPusing that key than authorized.
As a rule, VL editions of Windows XP should not be sold to individual consumers. Businesses, schools and governments normally use VL editions for flexibility in installing many computers. Also, Volume Licenses for Windows XP is Upgrade licenses ONLY and cannot be used as the original or base license for a new computer.
This is why you were seeing the "Software Counterfeiting" messages on your computer, because the current installation of Windows XP is an unauthorized installation.
Look on the computer or in the materials that came with your computer to see if you have a Certificate of Authenticity (COA). The following websites will help determine the validity of your operating system as well as identify various COA’s.
Windows Comparison Guide - All genuine editions of Windows can be identified by their anti-counterfeiting features. Answer the short questions to compare your features with those found on genuine Microsoft software. See the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/quiz_coa.mspx
Answer these short questions to compare your features with those found on Retail copy of genuine Microsoft software. See the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/windows/quiz.aspx?method=oem_coa&acq=1&type=coa&displaylang=en
Answer these short questions to compare your features with those found on a Volume Licensed copy of genuine Microsoft software. See the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/quiz_vol.mspx
Please tell us about the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for your copy of Windows XP.
1. What edition/version of Windows XP is titled?
· Home
· Professional
· Media Center
2. Does it read "OEM Software" or "OEM Product" in black lettering?
3. Or, does it have the computer manufacturer's name in black lettering?
4. Please provide the customer scenario you are experiencing.
5. DO NOT post the Product Key.
Not sure what to look for, see this page to reference your COA:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/product.aspx?pID=2abf99cd-a5e4-469c-802e-55ca8ec542d5&cID=ea710cad-37b0-4975-bcd6-abfee19961df&method=oem&displaylang=en
If this comes as a total surprise to you, please go back to where you purchased the installed Windows XP and let them know it is a counterfeit copy and demand they immediately reimburse you and/or provide a Genuine Copy. Next, uninstall the non-genuine installation of Windows XP because there could be viruses pre-built into the counterfeit version of the software purchased.
If you still believe your VLK is Genuine, please refer to the following steps to confirm either genuine or non-genuine status:
1) If you are a Microsoft Volume Licensing customer you should contact your re-seller and address the issue with them directly.
2) Refer to this Microsoft Product Activation website for information concerning VLK’s. See the link below:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/default.mspx#EJG
3) If your reseller did not keep a record of your key, and is unable to assist you or can no longer be contacted, please call the appropriate number here to confirm your Volume Licensing agreement directly with Microsoft. The below Microsoft Volume Licensing FAQ will provide you with all the information needed to contact Microsoft directly about your Volume Licensing agreement:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/faq.mspx
4) If you believe you have been sold counterfeit software you can provide Piracy information using the below link:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting/default.aspx
5) If your issue is still not resolved you may Purchase a copy of Windows XP or if you believe you have an existing valid Product Key and change the existing product key using the following Microsoft Knowledge base article to change the VLK only. This will not work when trying to change the Blocked VLK to a Retail or OEM Product Key.
KB328874 - How to change the Volume Licensing product key on a computer that is running Windows XP SP1 and later versions of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874/en-us
6) If you are attempting to change the existing key to a valid OEM or Retail key please follow the repair installation outlined in this Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
KB315341 - How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341
A "Blocked VLK" is a Volume License Key that is valid, but was licensed solely to a corporation or larger enterprise/business. Blocked VLK's are Product Keys that Microsoft has received consent from the original owner to block usage of. A VL Product Key is non-transferrable to individuals. In order to resolve your non-genuine licensing issue, please visit the following link click on Validate Windows. When validation fails, click on the Get Genuine button which will provide information on how to acquire a WGA Kit. Here is the link:
www.microsoft.com/genuine
Thank you for visiting the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program forums.
Antron-
