Gold Ghost Image - 2 Yrs w/o Driver Updates?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

[Actually, the image will be powerquest drive image, but same..same]

Key Question:

I anticipate that my client will have driver updates to their "Gold/Master" XP Image for their Optiplex 270 machines within the next two years. This is typical as drivers change, etc.

My DESIRE is to have them AVOID having to update the entire image because a video card driver changed. I understand that Windows Update and Software Update Services can handle this -- but I'm a little confused and uncertain about the latter.

In having to avoid them running WU -- is there a way using Group Policy or another management technique where I can make it so that the gold image stays put? I'm ok with the image being deployed, and on first boot [guirunonce] the system attempts to contact a network share and perhaps download 'authorized' driver updates and apply those?

Anyone have help or suggestions -- it will be appreciated.

Thanks!