recompile 2.6 kernel with framebuffer console

m_yates · 07-09-2004, 03:53 PM

A lot of people (including me) have had problems when upgrading or recompiling a 2.6 kernel that the "vga=" boot option will result in a blank screen during boot up until X-windows starts. This is particularly problematic if you don't automatically start x-windows

I finally fixed mine after 5 kernel recompiles. Here is what I did:

1. When configuring the kernel using "make menuconfig", I answered "Y" to the following options:

Support for framebuffer devices
VESA VGA graphics support
VGA text console
Video mode selection support
Framebuffer console support
Select compiled in fonts
VGA 8x8 font
VGA 8x16 font

All the above options were compiled into the kernel, not modules. I selected "N" for all other framebuffer device drivers except VESA.

2. I added a "video=" boot option. My kernel entry for grub in menu.lst is:

Code:

kernel          /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.7 root=/dev/hda1 ro hdc=scsi video=vesa:ywrap,mtrr vga=0x317

Now I get nice small fonts during boot up!!!

iluvatar · 07-21-2004, 07:42 AM

congratz! this is exactly what I have too

if you like small fonts (like I do) enable the tiny 4x6 font (kernel 2.6.6), on a framebuffer of 1024x768 this will give you a text 'resolution' of 256x128, nice to play quake2 in textmode (using aalib)

greetz,
.-=~ iluvatar ~=-.