I don't think that this is possible in the way you state.
What you want is to set the vga mode. Assuming you use lilo, you will have a stanza somewhat like this:
Code:
## Debian SID
image=/mnt/debian/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.12-1-686
label="Debian_Sid_2.6.12"
root=/dev/sda1
initrd=/mnt/debian/boot/initrd.img-2.6.12-1-686
vga=771
read-only
Change the vga line to vga=ask
Now, from the lilo.conf man page:
Quote:
vga=<mode>
This specifies the VGA text mode that should be selected when
booting. It may be specified as a global option. The following
values are recognized (case is ignored):
normal: select normal 80x25 text mode.
extended (or ext): select 80x50 text mode.
ask: stop and ask for user input (at boot time).
<number>: use the corresponding text mode. A list of available
modes can be obtained by booting with vga=ask and pressing
[Enter].
If this variable is omitted, the VGA mode setting contained in
the kernel image is used. (And that is set at compile time using
the SVGA_MODE variable in the kernel Makefile, and can later be
changed with the rdev(8) program.)
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So if you change this, or add the vga line if you don't have it, you can experiment with modes and the "hardwire" the one you want - or leave it at ask.
Run /sbin/lilo after editing the file.
I have a vague memory of having once seen this in action but haven't tried it. You might like to duplicate one of your existing stanzas (with a different identifier) rather than edit the existing one. It will make recovery easier is something goes wrong.