change video mode on console

jlinkels · 10-20-2004, 04:09 PM

Hi all,

THIS IS NOT ABOUT X RESOLUTIONS

I am trying to change my screen layout on the console to 132x50 characters (or whatever displays more text than 80x25)

I have compiled in in the kernel:

VGA Text console
Video Mode Select support
Frame buffer support
VESA VGA Graphic console
VGA 16-color graphics console
Select compiled-in fonts
VGA 8x8 fonts
VGA 8x16 fonts

Ok, when I boot, I enter at the command line: vga=ask

The system asks me to enter a VGA mode, I choose 'scan'

After scanning, I enter some mode, e.g. 'a' for 132x50

THE SYSTEM ACTUALLY CHANGES TO THIS MODE AND I SEE CHARACTERS IN 132x50 MODE!

Then the boot continues, that dreaded pinguin logo shows up, and the screen is switched back to 80x25, and it stays there.

When I try to set the resolution afterwards with fbset, I get this output:

root@siemens_pc:~# fbset -v 640x480-60
Linux Frame Buffer Device Configuration Version 2.1 (23/06/1999)
(C) Copyright 1995-1999 by Geert Uytterhoeven
Opening frame buffer device `/dev/fb0'
Reading mode database from file `/etc/fb.modes'
Using video mode `640x480-60'
Setting video mode to `/dev/fb0'
ioctl FBIOPUT_VSCREENINFO: Invalid argument

Which is not good

I am running Debian with 2.4.18 kernel without initrd
My video adapter is an Intel i810

The conclusions so far:

- I need frame buffer mode to get 132x50. Correct?

- FB, VESA etc works correctly because I see 132x50 before the penguin shows up, right?

Now:

- Can I disable the penguin and the fallback to 80x25 and leave fb intact?
- Why would fbset not work??

Yes, I googled around, but that yields only how to ENABLE the penguin. And yes I searched this forum, although the resolution problem is the same, the errors are different.

As usual, any help is appreciated.

jlinkels

peok · 10-20-2004, 04:13 PM

are you using slackware? The only time I ever saw the penguin was when I used slackware. Anyway I don't know if it has to do with the penguin because I used a different video mode and it stayed even after the penguin showed up. But then again, I've been wrong many times before.

goofyheadedpunk · 10-20-2004, 04:20 PM

Assuming you're using LILO, I've forgotten if Debian uses it or GRUB, you can just edit /etc/lilo.conf. For example mine

Code:

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/hda
#compact        # faster, but won't work on all systems.
prompt
timeout = 30
# Normal VGA console
vga = normal
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# vga=773
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x64k
# vga=788
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x32k
# vga=787
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x256
# vga=771
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x64k
# vga=785
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x32k
# vga=784
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769
# ramdisk = 0     # paranoia setting
# End LILO global section
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/hda2
  label = 2.6.8.1
  read-only
image = /boot/vmlinuz.old
  root = /dev/hda2
  label = 2.4.27
  read-only # Non-UMSDOS filesystems should be mounted read-only for checking
# Linux bootable partition config ends

The vga settings are what you'll want to change.

I think.

jlinkels · 10-20-2004, 07:31 PM

Peok:
I use Debian.

Goofyheadedpunk:
Debian uses LILO. But setting the video mode there is no solution. It is used in the same way as vga=ask. First the mode is set to whatever is set in lilo.conf. When the Penguin comes up, it resets again to 80x25. So this doesn't help.

Thanks anyway

jlinkels

goofyheadedpunk · 10-20-2004, 07:42 PM

I'm sorry for talking out of my bum, especially since it didn't help.

I found this and this, but I'm a bit afraid that you'll have already found and tried those suggestions.

Sorry I can't be of any help.