i uninstalled full kubuntu-desktop (kde) using these instructions. for some reason it uninstalls also some programs i installed in the meantime (scribus, rosegarden), which must be re-installed. it shouldn't be like this, i think.
it didn't help. the system still has psycho displaying problems. seems it's some bug in jaunty, since before (8.04/8.10) i don't remember anything like this on the same laptop.
:(