"Time to activate Windows"...Is it a virus? UPDATED

[gvstn]

13. Superantispyware is good.

I just have a tiny problem with them because I used to be an active member of computer forums where SAS messed up many XP computers by removing some critical file. It took them months to remedy the problem. For months, I had to read people's posts where they had a simple problem that was made worse by using that program. It put it in the last resorts category for me unless I was working with someone in a virus removal forum where they were giving me step by step instructions. (There are a couple of forums I would recommend: MajorGeeks and BleepingComputer if you get to that point but they will involve using various programs and reporting your findings and getting advice--time intensive but they do work.) SAS is a perfectly fine program and highly recommended but if I had a virus problem I would use it last. Maybe, I should qualify that and say if I was using XP then I might use it last.

It sounds like your repair shop is legit so ask them and let us know what happens when you boot up in the morning. SAS may have done the trick. I'll be happy to provide any help I can in narrowing down the problem if you still have popups when booting--please also mention if you desktop goes to black again.