Len,
Right now, your computer has a Volume Licensing edition of XP Pro installed (Line 8), and that installation was done with a now-blocked Volume Licensing Key (VLK) (Line 2). VLKs are blocked by Microsoft at the request of the original keyholder for such reasons as the key was lost, stolen, compromised, misused, or expired. Also, MS may have blocked the key if it notices a pattern of misuse, ie, more installations of XP using that key than authorized.
As a rule, VL editions of XP should not be sold to individual consumers. Businesses, schools and gov'ts normally use VL editions for flexibility in installing many computers. Also, Volume Licenses for XP are Upgrade only licenses and cannot be used as the original license for the computer.
This is why you were seeing the "software counterfeiting" messages on your computer, because the current installation of XP is an unauthorized installation.
Without any genuine Windows materials (a genuine CD, Certificate of Authenticity, booklet, etc.), it's clear that the place from which you purchased the computer engaged in a variation of the type of software piracy known as "hard disk loading."
According to the Windows Genuine Advantage FAQ, in order to qualify for a complimentary WGA Kit, you have to submit both a receipt for the purchase of the computer including the bogus Windows or Windows by itself, plus you have to submit a hi-quality counterfeit CD:
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To help customers who unknowingly purchased a counterfeit version of Windows XP, Microsoft has created two genuine Windows offers for those who qualify:
- Complimentary offer: Microsoft will make a complimentary copy of Windows XP available to customers who have been sold counterfeit Windows. Customers will be required to submit a proof of purchase, the counterfeit CD, and a counterfeit report with details of their purchase. Only high-quality counterfeit Windows will qualify for the complimentary offer.
- Electronic License Key Offer: Microsoft will offer an alternative for customers who find out via the WGA validation process that they are not running genuine Windows, but do not qualify for, or choose not to take advantage of, the complimentary offer. These customers will be able to license a Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP online for a price of $99 for Windows XP Home edition or $149 for Windows XP Professional. The Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP will include a new 25-character Product Key and a Windows Product Key Update tool that will allow customers to convert their counterfeit copy to genuine Windows XP electronically.
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In order to Get Genuine, please visit a trusted local or online store and purchase a Genuine copy of Windows, or consider participating in the Genuine Windows Offer by clicking on the WGA star icon and following the prompts to order a WGA Kit directly from Microsoft.
Have a look at this page http://www.microsoft.com/oem/english/content/licensing/LCACapabilities.mspx to see some data on Microsoft's antipiracy lawsuits and other enforcement efforts.
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