This copy of Windows is not genuine...?

[pheonixashes]

For the past year or so, I've been getting messages every time I start up my computer:

"This copy of Windows is not genuine and you are no longer yadda yadda yadda. (Get Genuine Now) / (Upgrade Later)"

I've always said upgrade later, but yesterday, my mouse moved and I clicked Get Genuine Now.

It was ok, I didn't get the genuine version.

Now, today, I can't seem to start up my computer...
Every time it goes to the Windows XP loading screen, it spontaneously restarts. Every time. So it's an endless loop, I've tried turning it off and on again, but it does the same thing.

Is it a virus or is there something wrong with my computer?

 

[The Helper]

Try starting in Safe Mode. Here are instructions

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm#02

If you are able to get in that way it should be able to allow you to troubleshoot.

Sounds like you downloaded the Windows Genuine Advantage tool when you accidently clicked get Genuine and that sucker is one helluv a sucker if it thinks you are pirating software - whether you are or not.

If you want to read some stuff about Windows Genuine Advantage check this

http://www.google.com/search?en&q=windows+genuine+advantage+problems

 

[pheonixashes]

Darn, I can't get into safe mode...

It does the same thing; it restarts the computer.

 

[Tonks]

It actually sounds like a virus that's disguised as a Windows alert, I've gotten several of them. They're trojans that load up files that they try to get you to execute, so that they aren't detected as "executable files" when they're downloading.

 

[pheonixashes]

That's what I thought at first;

But when it brought up the web page, it was from the microsoft homepage.

 

[pheonixashes]

Ok, I've got that problem fixed by getting a new operating system (Windows Vista)...
But now I have another problem...
I think it might be with the memory or the motherboard, I dunno.

A couple days after installing Vista, when I started any account, the desktop never loaded, including the icons. Plus, the start menu didn't work, but the shortcuts at the bottom toolbar did.

The day after that happened, the computer, when starting up, never got past the memory testing phase, it sort of froze in the beginning. I couldn't skip memory testing or go into setup.

I know viruses can't do this, so what is?