After March Patch Tuesday: Unresolvable Windows 7 Validation errors

Question

I have had a stable Windows 7 Enterprise installation with the initial MAK Product key for a couple years. After the Microsoft Patch Tuesday monthly set for March was applied, the system started complaining with a popup window "You may be a victim of
software counterfeiting".  It had a hyperlink entitled "Go online and resolve now" which resolved to
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/validate/?OSV=6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.004.09.1033&LS=3&LegitCheckError=00000052&GenuineInfo=00000000&Channel=0&ErrCode=00000000
This presented a new Internet Explorer window "Validation Status: Action Required" with a hyperlink, 'Validate Now" which resolved to
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/GenerateHTA.aspx?displaylang=en&Error=52&OSV=6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.004.09.1033&GenuineInfo=00000000&ls=3&page=avsValidate
It resulted in a popup window asking what I wanted to do with legitcheck.hta
Embedded in its code, it loads some javascript at http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/static/js/CommonFunctions.js"
I saved legitcheck.hta and then ran it, it loaded an Internet Explorer “DownloadValidationSupport” web page which offered two steps, Download then Continue.
The Download link was for WindowsActivationUpdate.exe
I did download WindowsActivationUpdate.exe and run it, but every single time (there were many), after running it, every time if I selected Continue, I always received the messsage:
Please wait for the install to complete and then click Continue or view the Troubleshooting tips
At any time (before, during, after) the above processes, if I went to Control Panel - System, at Windows Activation Windows Activation it always stated:
Status: Not Available
Product ID: Not Available
Next I ran the Microsoft Genuine Diagnostics Tool. At the Windows tab it reported:
Validation info:
Validation COde: 0x8004FE21
Product Key: N/A, hr=0x8007003
Product Key Hash: N/A, hr=0x8007003
Product ID: 55041-009-6438966-86672
Windows Product ID: 55041-009-6438966-86672
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.004
ID: {5CDF3EA5-3CCC-44B8-88F1-E7DCB7020595}{3}
Administrator: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: Registered, 1.9.42.0
Signed By: Microsoft
Product Name: Windows 7 Enterprise
Architecture & Build: 0x00000009 7601.winsp1_gdr.150202-1526
TTS Error: N/A
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A (greyed out)
Licensing tab:
On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition,run
'slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F012' to display the error text.
Error: 0xC004F012
If I run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F012' I get the uniformative message popup "An error has occurred .. You can also contact Microsoft (a generic message) ... Details Code: 0xC004F012 Description: The Software Licensing Service reported that the call has
failed because the value for the input key was not found.
For "fun" I ran
cscript slmgr.vbs –rilc
but the licensing rebuild made no difference in the Windows 7 validation error
I would like to get the system to actually run a validation check and if necessary require the MAK key. What is the process to eliminate this  bogus "software counterfeiting" state?

Answer 1

Thank you for your time considering this. The problem seems resolved.
I noticed that the path was missing for some Start menu items, the icons were not correct. The system environment variables TMP, TEMP, and windir had been deleted. The Windows Activation errors probably started shrotly after the system environment variable
were deleted.
After I restored the environment variables to their standard values, I ran WindowsActivationUpdate.exe, it went through the downloading update package, then installing update steps successfully.
With the standard environment parameters reestablished the MGADiag Copy function worked. I noticed then that it included a lot more information than what is displayed in the one popup window, similar in length to some of the other postings here with output
from MGADiag
In the course of troubleshooting the Activation error before posting here, I had issued the slmgr /rearm command to see if its action in resetting the activation timers would allow me to re-enter the MAK.
When WindowsActivationUpdate completed, then when I went to the Control Panel item for System. I was able to go through the validation process. Now the install is validated again.
Since the March Patch Tuesday set consisted of 12 updates I can't point the finger at any one for being the root of this problem.