Very Long Login/Authentication Time

On a Dual 1.8GHz G4 OS X server it takes literally 5 or more MINUTES to authenticate at local log-in. The login window text input locations go grey, as a lock-out, as you expect, but it should only take a 1/2 second or so to authenticate under normal circumstances. If I try to log in through system preferences to make adjustments, I never get beyond the authentication screen, requiring a force quit or restart. Otherwise, the server operates normally. This is just a test server, so it's not a huge problem at the moment, but this is obviously a big problem as far as the machine goes. Ideas? Thanks!