Color malfunction (only 10 colors?)

I've had my mac for almost a year now, and haven't had any major problems with it.

The other week I was changing the master password and exploring other security features. After I changed the password, I went on, and after a few window changes the screen changed and looks all washed out now.

i don't think it is a hardware problem because when I start the computer up the colors are fine for a second and then switch when the desktop loads up, and when it is on the user login screen the colors always remain okay.

I've tried repairing disk permissions. I've tried toying with the resolution settings. I've tried resetting the pram twice and it's done nothing.

any tips?

delete com.apple.desktop.plist

why what is it?

its a pref file, it will be recreated but if there is something wrong with it it will fix your color issue.

yeah, that didn't work. I found com.apple.desktop.plist and put it in the trash, emtied the trash, restarted the computer, and nothing...

any other suggestions?

I figured it out.

For some reason the contrast in the Universal Access section of the preferences was turned all the way up.

?