Reset HAL tool?

[heffalump]

I had an idea but first I'd like to know if there is some method to reset the HAL type for a windows install? To force Windows to redetect again? The idea I had is to use a master computer, image the drive (Ghost or Acronis or whatever), deploy the image to another computer (different hardware), and use newSID + some tool to reset the HAL. I was thinking this would in effect reset the hardware settings and cause the restored image to redetect hardware and install new drivers as needed? Any thoughts on this?

[IcemanND]

Not quite so easy, and a frequent topic here.

Look for: hardware independent image

or: universal image

The HAL can be changed, and depending upon your target hardware the ability for what you need may already exist in sysprep. If you have to support pre-hyperthreaded processors you will need something to change the HAL, if everything is hyperthreaded or newer all you need is sysprep. (with a few exceptions for laptop processors)