Problem installing SP2(XP home) on my new PC

[imported_xeno]

Alright, so not long ago I bought a new pc:

Asus P5B-Deluxe (If it helps, bios ver: 0614)
Intel core 2 duo E6600
2GB ram
300gb HDD
eVGA 7900GS
Legit windows xp 🙂

When I first got it, I installed all the drivers, did all the regular stuff. Then I installed SP2 using the automatic updates. Everything installed correctly, and when my pc was restarting, it just sat at the boot screen, with the loading bar looping. I left it for around an hour, came back and no difference. So I just reformatted cause windows wouldn't boot.

About a month later, I tried again, since I thought perhaps I somehow screwed up the first time, no difference(Used the installer exe downloaded directly off microsoft's site). I attempted to do a windows repair, and thus was able to get back into windows but it couldn't detect my sound card etc... So I reformatted again.

Now, I've had the pc for around 3 months or so, no problems what so ever. Just recently I felt like installing my adobe premiere 2.0, and it told me I need SP2 to run it.

I've been reading on google / here / microsoft's website, and I can't find any information.

The closest thing I found was that "prescotts" were having this same problem, but the thing is, I'm not running a prescott. I was planning on updating my bios, and then trying, but I read that using the AsusUpdate software screws your bios, and I don't have a floppy to try the other method. Not to mention, if this doesn't fix the problem, I'm going to have to reformat again.

So, I was wondering if any of you guys know possible solutions to this? I highly doubt it's my hardware conflicting or something since I've been running the pc for 3 months, no problems what so ever...

Thanks in advance for any help, if any other information is required I'll try and give it.

 

[mechBgon]

It's a bummer that you bought a pre-SP2 WindowsXP 🙁 Where'd you buy that relic?

Bigger picture: download the whole SP2 installation file, boot the computer into Safe Mode, and try installing SP2 in Safe Mode, if you want to take another run at it.

 

[RebateMonger]

Just to be safe, you might want to run Memtest86+ overnight and also run your hard disk drive manufacturer's disk diagnostics. It's good to get the "basics" out of the way when the cause of a problem isn't apparent. I've seen PCs with disk controller problems take "forever" to perform an XP update.

And, yeah, I've installed XP Professional (RTM) on a new Core 2 Duo computer and then successfully updated it with a Microsoft SP2 update CD. So it CAN work (of course).