gradients semi transparent

[Ulodesk]

Today, I cannot  get a gradient that is anything but about 30% opacity -- pastel -- even if I close GIMP and then start with a new document. Solid fills, e.g., FG/BG, are fine. Layer is Normal; I can't find anything else that might be astray. I am only an occasional user, bout I have used GIMP a fair amount over a decade and have never encountered this problem.

Thanks.