Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Which anchor to use for a lightweight fixture

I bought a flexible track light from Ikea

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15579&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=66228&langId=-1&chosenPartNumber=90083717

It has a lightweight 12' flexible track and there are 8 small poles that will attach to the ceiling to support it. The power center will go into the void left by the old light. The 5 small halogen spotlights will attach to the track. I'm only concerned with how to hang the track.

The only ceiling anchors I've seen (or used, for any application) are the metal kind that fold in half to go through the hole and then the spring out once they've past through the hole. Those kind can bear a significant amount of weight but they also leave significant holes in the drywall if they're removed.

So do those wide, plastic, self-tapping, screw-in wall anchors.

If I don't think I need much weight-bearing support(like, maybe 2 pounds max since the power center is mounted seperately), what's the least-intrusive type of anchor I can get away with? Since there are 8 poles (thus, 8 mounts) sharing the weight of the track, am I silly to think that I might be able to get away with just using a basic course thread drywall screw to hang the mounts?

I know this will be 100% my judgement call but I just want to know which options to consider.

-Chris

I do not think that a drywall screw alone will stand the test of time unless you use long drywall screw and hit wood with every hanger.

You have mentioined all the obvious choices and do not think they meet your needs, so I am at a loss.

Well, the other options would meet my needs but would just be overkill. I suspected that drywall screws that don't hit the ceiling joists wouldn't cut it so it was helpful to hear someone affirm that.

Do you have access above the sheetrock ceiling (like an attic)? If so, you could drill small holes where you want your mounts to be, then place a block of wood (3"x3"x1"?) above any that don't already hit a ceiling joist. Then you would be screwing into the wood, not just the sheetrock - you really wouldn't have to support the wood blocks, because they would spread out the load and easily hold your track support poles. You could use a little glue when you place them (then wait an hour) to keep them from moving around when you screw into them (or have someone hold them in place while you drive the screws).

Use 1/2" plywood blocks to prevent splitting.

Wow, good idea - I can definitely get to the attic and do that.