Re-Activate Windows, and a empty Device Manager. HELP!!!

[utvols20]

I left my computer on downloading a couple of things like i always do. and when i turned on my monitor this morning i get a window saying I need to re-active windows due to hardware changes to my system. I haven't made any changes with my system. So i tried out my internet, and NOGO, its dead. So i decided to check the device manager, and come to find out there is nothing in there (just white, nothing listed)! Also under the General tab in the System Properties listed under "Computer:" just has my RAM, it doesn't show what processor or anything. Did i just get hacked? I've never seen this before. I'm not at my home right now, so i really cannot troubleshoot. When i get home later today i might just wipe out the HD and start over. What do you guys think? Thanks for any help!

my specs:
Win XP Pro SP2
Dell Dimension 4550 2.53 GHz
768MB RAM

 

[joxley1990]

Do you have a system restore point? And is the Windows legit?

 

[utvols20]

i thought about the system restore point while i was driving to work. I'm gonna write down the tips you all give me and i'll give all those a shot. and Yes the windows is legit. I got it from my previous job. Since i'm at a different job, i'll just use the key we use here (if i format tonight)

 

[joxley1990]

Have you ran virus scans, spyware scans etc?

 

[utvols20]

thats another thing i noticed is that my mcafee was disabled, and when i click enable nothing happens. So no, i haven't scanned for anything yet.

 

[joxley1990]

Do some scans, see what they do. Don't know what else to suggest at this stage..

 

[utvols20]

yeah i haven't used my scans in awhile, and since my internet is down then i won't be able to get updates, so i'll be lucky if it finds anything.