My idea is to integrate the different HALs (f.e. 1 CPU, 2 CPU, ACPI, ....) to be detected while sysprep-image starts up first time. Maybe possible as a driverpack ?

if not automatically, maybe manually with boot.ini to "test" when starting setup or syspreped image the 1st time.
So you don't need diff. images for different hardware.

http://www.microsoft.com/germany/techne … 00257.mspx shows you how to choose different setups with boot.ini to choose the right HAL. haven't tested it @all. Sorry, it's only in German, but shows all features and switches.

Just an idea, haven't tried it by myself yet.