JHW

Can't help directly, but there are some suggestions on this page: Unable to complete Genuine Windows Validation.

If it turn out to be an invalid copy, you can pick up a copy of XP/Pro for about £20 on ebay or Amazon (can't remember which offhand, but I could check if you want to know). I did that earlier this year to run a virtual copy under my Ubuntu system. I wanted to retire my old PC but had a few Windows programs that don't have good enough equivalents under Linux - principally Finale. (The virtual copy was much faster than my old hardware copy!). For my use I wasn't bothered about the fact XP is going out of service and it was a lot cheaper than other version of Windows.

Mick