Any ideas: RGB serial backpack problem

I hate to ask but I am a bit overwhelmed and out of ideas. So I have an Arduino Duemilanove and the Sparkfun RGB LED Serial Matrix that I got a few weeks ago. When I got it, I used the sample code without a problem and then used another sample I found to flash through the letters of the alphabet without a problem.

I modified this code to store hardcoded frame data as a byte in which I followed the datasheet to the T. Everything was fine until today though. When I plug it into the computer, it now reads every 6th frame. Is there any reason for this suddenly happening? Nothing in the code was changed at all.

Also, the test pattern that is displayed is now altered(i.e.- the one that flashes on the matrix when you supply power to it). It used to show G,G,R,R,B,B and then the rest of the LEDs were off after the smiley face. Now, the two blue LED’s are lit at the end of the next row. Is it possible that something shorted out on the backpack mean, I have two Arduinos and it’s definitely something with the backpack.

Any idea’s on this would be great.

Could be a bad flash. Would explain the offset test pattern.