pi project - matrix won't work

[jtepps]

I've been trying to run the code on my Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi HAT for this project: https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi ... p/overview but whenever I run the code for the test image on the matrix, nothing comes up. Nothing was showing up on the matrix either until I unplugged the power cable from the matrix which seems really weird (I put a picture below to show what I'm seeing but the lines change sometimes).
I really need help getting my matrix and pi to work together and I was also wondering how to wire switches to the raspberry pi to change the image on the matrix like in this project: http://www.iliketomakestuff.com/make-ra ... play-sign/
When the raspberry pi is connected to monitor, should I be coding in the pi terminal or in the python app?
Thanks for your help!

this is what I see even when I run the test code

led matrix.jpg (342.89 KiB) Viewed 189 times

[Franklin97355]

Please don't post the same question in multiple places. This topic is locked. Check your other posts.