Ok, as promised a few pictures and some comments on setting up the new "observatory PC".
I installed a 2GB and 512MB memory modules (had the 512 from a previous laptop upgrade) and a 500GB 3.5" hard drive. Checked everything out in the BIOS and then started the install.
I configured a 30GB bootable partition, loaded up a copy of WinXP Home and then installed and configured the following apps ...
Drivers for: SPC900 webcam, NexImage, DSI-P, and Canon XT/350D
ASCOM 4.1 (yes I know it's older but it works and it's smaller), Celestron mount driver
Cartes du Ciel 3.2
AMCAP
WxAstrocapture
ManyCam
NexRemote
Nebulosity
PHD Guide
DSS Live
Then I installed a 30GB SSD (and now you know why I created a 30GB partition on the HDD), copied everything over (removed the HDD) and I now have a configured PC without any moving parts. Yes there is a small rear fan but it doesn't do too much and as I've mentioned before if it fails in the winter I don't think it will be a big deal. I also "tuned" WinXP for the SSD a little bit by turning off stuff like the swap file. The idea is to reduce or eliminate the OS from writing to one area of the SSD over and over again.
So, here are the pictures ...