[kde-linux] bg darkens on selecting log out

[mickeydog]

When I click on "Log out...", KDE darkens the background on the screen a
few steps at a time.
How do I disable this?

It is a very annoying feature because this process takes a lot either
processing or memory which causes the mouse to move in jumps (which i am
trying to move to click 'Turn off computer'.  This happens despite
having plenty of horsepower and memory.

KDE 3.4.2 level b