External harddrive slows down the startup on Vista64

Hi

I have Windows Vista 64 Ultimate, and this harddrive
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Techn...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241075834&sr=8-4

My harddrive has only USB 2.0 connection. Whenever my computer boots, there is a black screen for ½ minute or so, right before I see the Desktop. While the screen is black, the lamp on my external drive is blinking.

Normally, if you connect the drive to the computer, when it already is in Windows, it does the same thing for ½ minute or so, before it shows it's content.

Is there a way to prevent the drive from slowing my startup down, but let it find it self, when the Windows is loaded, without having to have to disconnect and connect it?

Thanks