LED matrix

I am trying to get my led matrix to run off the 7219, but wierd crap is happening. I copied the code for the diagonal, uploaded it, and then all the leds come on. They are all way to bright, and are not in a diagonal. I can get them to flash messing with the hex numbers in the loop, but they only go from really bright to a slightly less really bright. WTF IS GOING ON!!! i cant get them to turn off at all unless i remove the clock wire on the arduino, removing the 5v going to the 7219 pin 19 makes them dimmer but doesnt turn them off. Any help would be great, if no one can help I will post a picture of my breadboard later.