On trying to download a package from microsoft.com there is a validation challenge, no problem, seen these before, download, run, copy the code.
A couple of days ago this stopped working. On executing genuinecheck.exe I get an immediate message box stating
"This version of the Windows Genuine Advantage validation tool is no longer supported. Please download the newest version and ensure your system clock is accurate"
I've been through everything several times, tried everything, no change, so now I wonder whether the tool is expired and MS need to update it.
XP Pro fully patched.
Date and time, definitely very close. Checked several times and agrees with radioclock here. Timezone and region normal.
Windows update is working, sends messages and can download and apply.
Two different ways MS tools say this is a genuine install. (which it is)
Infections? Very unlikely.
Recent system change? Nope, did a restore from backup.
Disk check, sfc, etc. nothing.
Computer is operating entirely normally.
genuinecheck version 1.9.0042.0
Challenge occurs several places, same result.
Example is here http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=7217
An observation: from not working to working might have been June 2012 to July 2012, can't remember clearly enough.
Beneath all this I am trying to get IMAPI2 actually working. One of the cases where it doesn't install properly. Related? No idea.