I need advice on installing WinXP SP2. After installing, my comp goes into an endless reboot loop.?

I have a Gateway computer (Gateway E-4600 4000656, P4, Motherboard: Intel Corp D850GB AAA22957-306). Over the last few years, I have tried many, many times to install Windows XP SP2, but without success. I have looked and looked for solutions all over the net, but have not been able to find anything that helps.The install goes fine until the comp reboots. At that point it goes into and endless reboot cycle, and does not recover. I have to do a hard shut-down, go into Safe Mode, then do a System Restore. I have attempted to update the BIOS, but that has its own set of problems. (I do not recall the details of the BIOS update, but it could be that there is not one, or it does not install. Or maybe it is over my head.)

Can anyone give me any advice on how to proceed with this? In addition to the obvious security issues, there are many websites and applications that require SP2, and I am therefore unable to access them.

I need advice on installing WinXP SP2. After installing, my comp goes into an endless reboot loop.?microsoft access

Even starting with a clean install of windows XP the SP2 installation could go bad, known issue with preloaded windows XP. You can look at MS Support and go crazy trying to follow all the issues that can go wrong with services and registry entrys. My best suggestion is to get a copy of windows XP same version you have either home, pro, or media center. If it is SP2 already great if not no worries. Then backup all your files and start from scratch with an OEM or OEM copy of XP. Use the product key that is on your PC case somewhere. You pay for that key not for the CD when you buy MS windows XP. So as long as you use the same edition you will still have a verified copy of windows XP.

I need advice on installing WinXP SP2. After installing, my comp goes into an endless reboot loop.?windows mobile 6 internet explorer

I'm guessing here OK...

Since you say that after this fails you do a "System Restore", I going to assume your running Window XP w/SP1 installed and that runs without issue. It is only when you try to install the XP service pack 2 that your system fails.

This maybe due to a BIOS conflict and you do need to update the BIOS before SP2 will work... I'm not going here first! Instead I will suggest that the copy of SP2 you have is corrupt and thus fails. Try a new copy of SP2 first but look into the BIOS at least to see how many revisions back you are from the current one...
when you do it again, before you do go to the system recovery options and disable auto-restart. I think you're getting a blue screen of death, indicating a hardware/memory/config problem but because your system is rebooting you cannot see the error and work out what is causuing the .problem