Thanks for the info, I'll give it another try.
Meantime I temporarily "fixed" it by downgrading the KDEgraphics module from 3.5.4 to 3.5.0. All the other modules I'm using are 3.5.4. I'll try the 5.4 module again, but delete the kgammarc before starting X and see if that fixes it. (nothing found in the autostart folders)
The problem really isn't with KDE, it's with the KDEgraphics module made for Slax. If the above doesn't fix, I'll just download the source and compile the module myself. Got this one off the Slax modules page... you never know.
Thanks for the help. Still learning how KDE ticks behind the scenes. Used XFCE for years until recently, when I finally obtained a machine with the horsepower to run KDE smoothly. I've used other window managers too, I have to say KDE is the one to give Microsoft a real run for the money! Hats off to the development team, with my gratitude.
cat