How to correct slow boot up on Intel iMac

A friend has a problem on an iMac and I have no idea how to solve it.
The iMac is a 20" Intel with 2.4GH Intel chip and 1GB 800 MHz RAM, running OS 10.5.8 - it's about 5 years old
All software is currently up to date and all permissions have been repaired.
Start up is as follows:
Grey screen
Flashing world globe
Apple logo
Usual rotary whirligig
Blue screen
Desktop plus icons
The oddity here is the globe, which I have never seen before, plus the fact that booting up now takes between 4 and 5 minutes! Previously it was well under a minute.
Has anyone any ideas what may have caused this problem and what can cure it.

A slow startup can be caused by many things including a failing HD. Before the user does anything have them fully back up their computer immediately, today!! After a backup has been done, have the user test it to verify it works.
Next they can check System Preferences - Users - Login Items and see if they are loading any apps at login. If so have them remove the apps they do not need to load on login and then retest. If there is still a slow startup then have the user run Apple Hardware Test (AHT) in extended modeat least 2-3 times back to back. They will need their original 10.5.8 install discs that shipped with the machine. If the machine reports error codes in AHT that has confirmed a hardware isse and the machine should be taken in for repair.or plan on replacing it due to age, it's may be closer to 7 than it is 5 years old.

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How to correct slow boot up on Intel iMac

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