Consider the following scenario:

• On a Windows Vista-based computer, you redirect the Desktop folder to a network redirection folder.
• You enable the Always Available offline option to make the Desktop folder available offline.
• The computer is connected to a network that does not contain the redirection folder.
• You restart the computer, and then you enter your user credentials on the Welcome screen to log on to the computer.

In this scenario, you see a black screen for 30 to 120 seconds before the desktop or the Start menu appears.

For more information on this issue, including potential causes, workarounds, and resolutions, see: Microsoft KB Article KB951324.

Microsoft has a way to automatically fix this problem, click the "Fix It" image to go to the Knowledge Base page that contains the download.