I need to install windows xp home on many computers about 100. Is
there a way of legally doing this by ghosting a complete installation
and then copying it on the other computers, and once installed
changing the serial number and adding the correct one.

Hello msantoli-ga

What you need to investigate are the Windows Deployment Tools which
are available directly from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp1/deploytools.mspx

There is also a tool called SysPrep from Microsoft:
"Sysprep is a tool that is designed for system administrators,
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and others who must
automatically deploy the Windows XP operating system on multiple
computers. After you perform the initial setup steps on a single
computer, you can run the Sysprep tool to prepare the sample computer
for cloning."
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302577

For a simple unattended installation from a CD-ROM this is the place to look:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=216258

There is also further information on automating your XP installations here:
http://labmice.techtarget.com/windowsxp/Install/unattend.htm

If you have any further questions on this subject please ask for
clarification and I will do my best to help.

---

Clarification of Answer by palitoy-ga on 22 Jul 2004 11:24 PDT

I have just found a couple more links that may be helpful for you
before you start doing the installation:

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=258
http://www.techtutorials.com/tutorials/xp/xp_install_methods.shtml

Are all these computers the same?  If so you can image the entire HD
to another machine.

To change the serial number after activation (the legal issue) i would
follow these instructions:

http://www.petri.co.il/change_the_serial_in_windows_xp.htm