Expert: LizaL - 4/20/2006

Question
Hello,
I'm using photoshop CS. For some reason everything inside photoshop is green. Any image I open and the color palette, swatches, all green. If I export the images they are normal, and if I open them in other programs they are fine. I am not sure but I think it may have something to do with my lcd monitor. I have had the program for a couple of years but hardly use it. I don't remember this problem when I first installed it and I'm pretty sure I had the original crt monitor that came with my system.
I hope you can help. I've tried everything I can think of.
Terri


Answer
Hi Terri,

I've had a similar problem, and it was my monitor -- only for me, it happened in everything, not just one program, so it was a foregone conclusion that it was my monitor. The fact that you can see everything else correctly makes me think more that your problem lies with Photoshop instead of your monitor.

However -- if you think it's your monitor, check the connection between your monitor and your computer. If it doesn't fit properly or if the cable is old, you won't get the best connection. For me, I was using an adapter, and it wasn't tight. If I accidentally bumped or pulled the cable, my monitor wouldn't display RGB -- only one color, usually at random.

Also, if you're by any chance using a USB extension cable, that could cause your signal to be weakened. Whenever possible, use a direct connection and no other cables than what's intended for your monitor and your computer.

You say you've tried everything you can think of, so I'll assume you've done monitor calibration.

It could also be your video card. Make sure everything else -- that is, other programs -- are all responding correctly. If you see problems with other programs, it might be your video card.

You probably got some sort of hardware diagnostic tool with your computer when you bought it. Run this and make sure you have no hardware issues. This diagnostic should give you some indication of whether you need a new video card. If you have doubts, take the card out and put it in another machine and see if you have the same issues -- or take it to wherever you'd normally have maintenance done, and see what they say (i.e., an Apple retail store, CompUSA).

If you have no hardware problems, I would definitely uninstall Photoshop and all related files, then reinstall it. If you have a Mac and are running OS X, make sure you Repair Permissions before and after you do this. No matter what your system is, restart your machine after the reinstall.

Try these things and if they don't work, feel free to post back.

Hope this helps --

Lisa