Unable to shut down Laptop after loading XP Pro SP3

[WinUser]

Hi,

A few days back Microsoft update suggested that I should download and
install service pack 3 for my windows XP Pro. I did this. Since then
I cannot shut down or restart the machine without using the power
button. Cntrl+Alt+Del also does not bring up the screen to choose
between locking windows, task master etc.

When i try to do any of this, all icons on the screen dissapear and the
machine just freezes and I have to shut it down with the power off
button. However, I can hibernate the Laptop.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

A few days back Microsoft update suggested that I should download
and install service pack 3 for my windows XP Pro. I did this.
Since then I cannot shut down or restart the machine without using
the power button. Cntrl+Alt+Del also does not bring up the screen
to choose between locking windows, task master etc.

When i try to do any of this, all icons on the screen dissapear and
the machine just freezes and I have to shut it down with the power
off button. However, I can hibernate the Laptop.

There is no Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP.
Perhaps you are mistaken about what you think you installed?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

A few days back Microsoft update suggested that I should download and
install service pack 3 for my windows XP Pro. I did this. Since then
I cannot shut down or restart the machine without using the power
button. Cntrl+Alt+Del also does not bring up the screen to choose
between locking windows, task master etc.

When i try to do any of this, all icons on the screen dissapear and
the machine just freezes and I have to shut it down with the power off
button. However, I can hibernate the Laptop.

Since there is no Service Pack 3 for Windows XP (SP2 is the latest), you are
clearly mistaken about what you installed. If you can clarify what you did,
perhaps someone here can help.

Are you running Microsoft Office XP? Perhaps you installed SP3 for it.