Hello Gavin Hobbs,
Right now, your computer has a Volume Licensing edition of XP Pro installed (Line 10), and that installation was done with a now-geographically blocked Volume Licensing Key (VLK) (Line 2). VLKs are blocked by Microsoft at the request of the original key holder for such reasons as the key was lost, stolen, compromised, misused, or expired. Also, Microsoft may have blocked the key if it notices a pattern of misuse, i.e., more installations of XP using that key than authorized.
A geographically blocked key is blocked when it is detected in use outside of the worldwide geographic area(s) covered by its Volume Licensing Agreement. The particular Product Key you are using, which ends in 3R89F-D2KXW-VPK3J, is a widely used pirated key that comes up as very popular if you do a search for it on the internet, and it looks like it recently (March 2009) had a geographic block put on it to try to curb its use, which probably explains why it was showing as Genuine up until recently.
As a rule, VL editions of XP should not be sold to individual consumers. Businesses, schools and governments normally use VL editions for flexibility in installing many computers. Additionally, VL editions are Upgrade licenses ONLY, and therefore cannot be used as the primary or base license for a computer. If you are an individual consumer using a privately owned computer, you certainly should not be using a Volume License.
This is why you were seeing the "software counterfeiting" messages on your computer, because the current installation of XP is an unauthorized installation. I would recommend for you to file a piracy report by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/piracy .
Look on the computer or in the materials that came with your computer to see if you have a Certificate of Authenticity (CoA). If you have one, tell us about the CoA. Tell us:
1. What edition of Windows XP is it for, Home, Pro, or another version or edition of Windows?
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. DO NOT post the Product Key that may be printed on the CoA.
5. Windows XP purchased in retail packaging will have the CoA on the retail package box top, and will have the Product Key on a yellow-orange label affixed to the CD holder folder inside the box.
Not sure what to look for? Click here: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/en/coa.mspx
For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp
