Font size and type change when linux machine boots and is turned on

afahim · 02-08-2009, 01:07 AM

Hi,

I was wondering if a anyone can shed some light on how to change the font size and type when linux starts up before asking me to logon with specific user name and password. Basically when I turn the machine, Linux goes through hardware and software check in its list and reports whether the drivers, softwares, hardware starts ok or with problem. How can I change the default font size and type during this task that screen uses smaller font and type which I like.

Thanks everyone for help and time.

Cheers,

maroonbaboon · 02-08-2009, 07:15 PM

This is comes from the value of the 'vga' kernel parameter, which is handled by the boot loader (lilo or grub depending on your setup). Usually it is specified in a boot loader configuration file (e.g. /etc/lilo.conf or /boot/grub/menu.lst). Alternatively setting 'vga=ask' makes the boot loader pause to allow you to choose the video mode from a menu.

If you want more specific advice you should give more info about your setup, especially the boot loader you are using.

afahim · 02-08-2009, 11:38 PM

Thanks for hint. I am using grub and I included the vga=ask in grub.conf file and rebooted the system. Nothing happened. Still linux was using really large font in its start up process up to moment which asks for logon id and password. What would you like to know about my system.

I am using FC5. This is old distribution but I am using just for start up now and it my sand box to do some stuff before moving to latest
version.

More specifically my distribution is: 2.6.15-1.2054_FC5

Again I appreciate your help and time.

maroonbaboon · 02-09-2009, 06:40 AM

Hi again. Not sure what you did with grub.conf, but you might try editing the parameters as the system boots. Just hit a key when the grub boot menu appears and then 'e' to edit the boot parameters. Follow the instructions to add 'vga=ask' to the parameter list and hit 'b' to continue booting. The video selection prompt should appear immediately.

When you have what you want you can just edit the corresponding line in grub.conf.

ruwindada · 03-05-2009, 12:56 AM

Try VGA=773
edit your kernel entry in grub.conf

kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.18-prep ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet crashkernel=128M@16M vga=773

will give you nice smaller fonts, during the boot up process.

BR

John VV · 03-05-2009, 02:03 AM

is that fedora 5 ????
5 hit end of life a LONG TIME ago and has not had any updates in about 4 years
Fedora 10 is the current . You are 5 versions behind