Xp Service pack 3 problems?

[iamloco724]

i installed service pack 3 on my sisters computer and restarted a few times then left there house now they called me that when they boot theres a black screen with just the mouse curser..anyone know what the issue is and how it can be fixed im not there so thats all the details i have

[Paul Komski]

Installing SP3 is not devoid of problems and MS always recommend that you backup before installing it.

Possibly repairing the installation (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) with a WinXP SP2 installation CD would work; mabe not in which case you would need to backup your data with something like Knoppix (in my sig) or by slaving the drive in another computer and thereafter do a brand new clean installation.

It's possible that Safe Mode will get you in.

Quite a big Google Response (http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=sp3+black+screen&btnG=Google+Search&meta=).