Image files open slowly from Desktop

XP SP2 with all updates. This happened to me about a year ago as well but I don’t remember how I resolved it.

When I open an image file that resides on the desktop, there is a 30 second delay in it’s opening. This is with ACDSee, or MS Picture Viewer. Paint opens them right away.

Once the image is open, I can go to other images via the application by hitting Page Down or whatever, no problem.

Images in any other location, including folders on the desktop, open just fine.

I do not think it’s related to a specific viewer. I think it’s a more general problem.

Also, there is no CPU activity spike during this delay, nor any extra disk activity.

Ideas?