[miklud]

Is this IBM S42 have any hope as a HTPC or so i need to start fresh wih a new motherboard?

Here's the specs.

http://microdream.co.uk/desktop-pc/ibm-n...g9k-mS9K0c

General Features:
Small Form Factor
Microsoft Windows XP Professional pre-installed w/CoA
Intel Pentium 4 2.53 GHz processor
512 MB DDR RAM (supports up to 2 GB)
40 GB hard drive
CD-ROM drive
Floppy drive
Integrated graphics card, Intel Extreme Graphics Shared video memory (UMA)
Integrated AC'97 audio codec
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet, Fast Ethernet

Expansion Slots:
Two (2) DDR DIMM slots (occupied)
Two (2) PCI adapter connectors

Front I/O Ports:
Two (2) USB
Headphone jack
Microphone jack

Rear I/O Ports:
Six (6) USB
Two (2) PS/2
One (1) 25-pin Parallel
Two (2) 9-pin Serial
One (1) 15-pin VGA
One (1) RJ-45 Ethernet
Line in
Line out

[GregiBoy]

IMHO, forget it and start again.

[A_Niny_Maus]

It's not worth it. Here's why:

[1] low RAM
[2] AGP graphics slot ony; you need a PCIe for the newer cards that have HDMI; currently, it can only output analog VGA signals

I am currently building XMBC on my old P4 PC also but I have a new HDMI gfx card in a PCIe slot, a new PSU, upgraded RAM to 1gb, an USB Wifi module, and the OS is loaded onto an 8gb Flash drive. Unless you can do something similar, it probably won't be worth it.