how do I change the command line resulution?

sunpascal · 03-11-2006, 04:14 AM

hi,
how do I change the command line resulution on debian?
During boot up the command line resolution and font is ok, but half way through the boot up process it says something like "adjusting font" and the font and resolution is pretty ugly.
I once have svgatextmode installed, but deleted it, since it didn't give me what I needed.

-sunpascal

reddazz · 03-11-2006, 04:52 AM

You can append a line such as "vga=788" to your kernel section in your bootloader config file e.g.

Code:

title Mandriva 2006
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda1  resume=/dev/hda5 splash=silent vga=788
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.img

This thread has a list of vga modes and their corresponding resolution.

sunpascal · 03-11-2006, 08:17 AM

thanks for your reply.
I am using grub by the way.
Are you sure, that the problem is with the boot loader, because the command line resolution is good right after the boot loader is done. It is only later that it gets messed up.
-pascal

reddazz · 03-11-2006, 09:17 AM

The vga modes work on grub and lilo. I am not sure exactly what the problem is, but tinker with your vga settings to see if there is a difference.

sunpascal · 03-11-2006, 09:27 AM

were do I edit the config for grub though?

sunpascal · 03-11-2006, 09:28 AM

do I have to run grub after making changes?

reddazz · 03-11-2006, 09:33 AM

Your grub config file should be /boot/grub/menu.lst (/boot/grub.conf on some systems). You don't need to run the grub command after editing the grub config file.

sunpascal · 03-11-2006, 09:51 AM

can I just add vga=ask to the following?

Code:

title		Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.4.27-2-386
root		(hd0,1)
kernel		/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.27-2-386 root=/dev/hda2 ro 
initrd		/boot/initrd.img-2.4.27-2-386
savedefault
boot

sorry, I'm afraid of messing up my pc...

tomdkat · 03-11-2006, 10:00 AM

Depending on the kind of terminal you're running (xterm, Eterm, rxvt, [whatever]-term), you might be able to adjust the font settings for the terminal itself.

I run Eterm and it has a "Font" pull-down menu I can use to change the font.

When you open a terminal window, see if the name of the kind of terminal appears in the window title. Once you know if you're running xterm or whatever, do a "man [terminal type]" to see what your configurability options are.

For example, "man xterm" listed several options relating to fonts, colors, and so on.

Peace...

reddazz · 03-11-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

can I just add vga=ask to the following?

Yes you can but remember that if you use vga=ask, you will be asked for the resolution ech time you boot your system.