skybluesu

Hi, I need some advice. I had my computer re-built few months ago, by a friend of a friend type scenario, the windows xp professional that is installed appears to be a copy. I haven't logged on to my main pc for a few weeks and now it won't let me. It starts up to the log in / click your user name to begin page. If I click my user account a box apears saying that I must get Genuine now, I I click the option of 'Get Genuine' another box appears saying the windows must be activated and do I want to activate now? If I press yes it logs me back off to the welcome/log in account page. These are the only options I have so can't navigate anywhere else. I have contacted microsoft but the person I spoke to wasn't upto much and sounded about as knowledgable as me (not very in computers). All he told me was that I need to get Genuine which I know I do but need a bit of help first. What I need to know is that if I buy a microsoft package will I be able to install it, bearing in mind the computer will not allow me to do anything past the welcome/ log in page and will I lose all my files on the computer. I don't really know much about computers and can navigate my way round what I need to do when necessary so any advice would be grateful. Also, any advice of what exactly I need to buy would also be appreciated as there seems to be so many various windows xp I am not sure what I am needing to buy (home use/ internet / uni work / music is about as much as I do). Thanks in advance for any help or advice given. Ever have the feeling you've been conned and conveniently friends of friends are never around?! Sue