was humming along with no problems. recently purchased office 2010 and needed to upgrade to xp sp3 to install. installed sp3, now cannot connect. also cannot turn on windows firewall.when i attempt to turn on windows firewall i get the following message:windows cannot start the windows firewall/internet connection sharing (ICS) servicehave read a few other solutions but some seem beyond my skill level and/or are related to an sp2 upgrade. wanted to know if there was a more current solution. any help greatly appreciated. 1 person needs an answerI do too

Try installing this way.If SP3 was downloaded with an anti-virus, or anti-spyware, program running, you may have a bad installation.From: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx* If the configuration of your antivirus software prevents certain system files from being changed, SP3 installation might fail. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus software. You can usually do this by right-clicking your antivirus program icon (which typically appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the computer screen) and clicking Disable.* If you disable your antivirus software before you install the service pack, be sure that you are aware of the risks involved, and be sure to enable it after the service pack is installed.Remove SP3 via Add/Remove Programs, reboot and download and install it again. Use the download link below, not windows updates. Save the download and then install it. Before you install, turn off your anti-virus and any anti-spyware programs such as Windows Defender. If you use a third party firewall, disable it and turn on the Windows Firewall in the Control Panel for the installation. Once SP3 is in and working, you can enable the third party firewall and turn of the Windows Firewall. Do not keep both running.Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3http://support.microsoft.com:80/kb/950717WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installationhttp://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htmDownload Windows XP Service Pack 3 herehttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=enBruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA