One option you may try is utilizing an Intel NUC computer in an industrial fanless chassis (something similar to this: http://www.logicsupply.com/com...). The NUC should be fine for a HTPC and the chassis is designed for usage in harsh environments.

The biggest thing I've found in 10 years in the IT sector is that just like in any other career path, networking (and not the cisco kind) will get you further than any other single thing. The old adage that "It's not what you know, it's who you know, and what they know" still holds true. Never burn your bridges, and remember that the people asking you for that emergency favor are people that you might in return need a favor from someday.