SUCCESS!!! I put the system back to original factory condition with the original reinstallation CD.   Went to Microsoft Update site and downloaded both Service Pack 2 IT and Service Pack 3 IT to the same folder I made  which I named "SP Update"  and placed in the C: drive . The regular download for the service pack updates come via the update tool on your PC. DO NOT USE THIS!!!  Go to Microsoft and download the updates by themselves as I did. You can then install the service packs without having to take on any other updates. SP IT updates was intended for IT professionals  that need to update more than one system but woks fine for what we are doing. 1) Once downloaded, reboot your PC, open SP2 IT and let it install.  2) Once completed, reboot your PC, open SP3 IT and let it install. 3) Now the system will take all other updates with no problem.  Some tips. Disconnect all peripherals from your PC before installing the service packs. Only the mouse, keyboard and monitor should be connected. I used a wireless adapter to get online and download the service packs but while rebooting the PC I disconnected the adapter before installing the service pack. The instructions I found suggested this. The PC I had trouble with is what I am using right now. It's running better than before. Hope this helps those looking for a solution.
I was recently given a Dell Dimension 4400 Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor. The OS is Windows XP Home Edition. I quickly realized it only had SP1 Update. MS successfully performed several automatic updates.  After installing  SP2, it wouldn't reboot. after exhaustive reserch I learned that the current BIOS didn't support SP2. I had no success with Dell support website. Intell's support website has a BIOS upgrage (PT84510A.86A) using Express BIOS Update. I followed all instructions, and when application began to load I got a critical error message saying "update could not be performed, contact manufacture for update". Any suggestions would be appreciated.   Thanks, Joe
Windows XP won't boot after installing SP2