Why the new Windows Update does not pick up SP2

My Dell Laptop crashed for like the thousandth time (I know, I need a
new laptop), and like many times before, this time I have to reinstall
the Windows XP. After the fresh install, I went to Windows Update
right away and was prompted to install the new Windows Update, which I
did. So after the first required restart and going to the Windows
Update page again, somehow SP2 is not on the list of the critical
update list and all the shown updates failed to install as suggested on
the right side page that now MS only provide those for SP1 or SP2. I
thought something went wrong during my reinstallation, so I did another
fresh reinstall of the Windows XP Professional and the same thing
happen. What the *uck!! I am really ****ed now after wasting more than
a day trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I search the web
and my laptop does not have any of those issues that my prevent SP2
showing up and I have installed it at least twice before on the same
laptop before the last crash.

So if this is not another **** up from MS, some genius please help.

Yan.