Updates freezing computer

[Guest]

WinXP Pro is being installed on a newly purchased hard drive.
Computer froze once during SP2 install; it was uninstalled and re-installed.
All other critical updates installed smoothly.
Computer freezes almost immediately after trying to list all optional
updates - everytime.
Ran a CPU burn test - - ran 6 hrs. with no incident.
Ran updates; it again froze in same place.
I've tried swapping power supply, expansion cards (incl. video) and memory -
only CPU and motherboard remain to be tested.
This is a job for someone on welfare - a freebie - and I refuse to give up
without an answer. Does anyone have an idea what else to try?

Thanks in advance,
~MK

 

[Guest]

I almost forgot

Motherboard = Asus P3B-F
CPU = genuine Intel P3 550mhz