My ipad is displaying the carrier settings update box but does not respond to either the "update now" button or the "not now" button and has totally frozen. The ipad cannot switch off as I need to clear this box before I can "slide to shut down". HELP!!!!

Have you tried a reboot? Hold down the power and home buttons simultaneously. Ignore the Slide to Power Off prompt if it pops up. The display should go dark, and the Apple logo should appear as it begins a reboot. This is a soft reboot - it does not erase data.

"Carrier settings update box" ?????

My wife's iPad developed the identical problem a couple of hours ago. Shawn's soft reboot solution worked perfectly. Thanks, man.