Ok before you go zapping PRAM etc try these steps:
In an administrator account in the terminal (in utilities) run these commands after the prompt type in command hit return you will be asked for the admin password:
sudo periodic daily
sudo periodic weekly
sudo periodic monthly
Run each, one at a time, when done clean your user cache files out:
Go to your user folder/Libary/Caches
Delete the contents Not the folder
There are more cache folders but try this one for starters. Once you've done this run disk utility repair permissions and then restart.
Let me know the results. Also how many fonts do you have? For example do you do graphic design and have a 1000 fonts active or something like that? If so that can cause major slow downs.