MacBook Air almost non-responsive after reboot

[tsvdheever]

I rarely restart or turn off my macbook air. But when I do, upon completing restart, my desktop shows as if normal. However, if I click on any application on the dock, the screen goes blank and "restarts". Not a complete restart, but the dock and menu bar on top disappears, then the icons appear one after the other, like a restart. When I click on an item in the menu-bar, the menu-bar freezes and the mac is unresponsive...

Any ideas? I fear the only solution might be a fresh install...

 

[xgman]

First check all your startup folders and diagnose any trouble spots. Prefs panel/Users/loginitems, library, startupitems, launchagents, launchdeamons

 

[satcomer]

Plus open /Applications/Utilities/Activity Viewer.app and see if an older program is running away and eating most cycles.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Create a new user and boot into that account.

Also, was this a clean install or upgrade?