Ok, that command takes two seconds to execute. This is why it has some kind of impact on the OnStart() event. By moving the code into the OnStart() event, this allows it to load successfully:

    Protected Overrides Sub OnStart(ByVal toArgs As String())
        oRobot.oWindowsService = Me

        ' If we cannot start
        If Not oRobot.Start() Then
            lStart = False

            ' If this from the Console application
            If Environment.UserInteractive Then
                Exit Sub
            End If

        End If

        Dim acceptedCommandsFieldInfo As System.Reflection.FieldInfo = GetType(ServiceBase).GetField("acceptedCommands", _
         System.Reflection.BindingFlags.Instance Or System.Reflection.BindingFlags.NonPublic)
        If acceptedCommandsFieldInfo Is Nothing Then
            'Throw ApplicationException("acceptedCommands field not found")
        End If
        Dim value As Integer = CInt(acceptedCommandsFieldInfo.GetValue(Me))
        acceptedCommandsFieldInfo.SetValue(Me, value Or SERVICE_ACCEPT_PRESHUTDOWN)

        ' Define the timer
        AddHandler oTimer.Elapsed, AddressOf ServiceTimer

        ' Start the timer
        oTimer.Enabled = True

    End Sub