Why does my system startup so slow?

Check to make sure you don't have applications in your Login Items. It's normal to have the iTunes Helper there, but if you have a lot of other applications, that can slow things down.

You can also consider running a system cleaning application, such as Onyx. Have it rebuild your system caches as well. Your first startup will be excruciatingly slow, but each successive startup will be much faster.

-Aaron-

 

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.

 

Ok, could I get more details about what you use the computer for and when you noted the problem? For example was it after you updated the OS or installed an application etc.

Typical slow machine issues would be resolved with what you have done so far.