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?

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)