lcd console fonts

Hi group,

The console fonts in my new LCD monitor are H-U-G-E.
Attempts to shrink them by adding vga=xxx at the grub
prompt after the kernel line has no effect. Here's the
entire grub session:

grub> root (hd0,1)

grub> kernel /vmlinuz vga=794 #1280x1024(so I'm told)

grub> boot


I'm not using a grub.conf file, preferring the manual
method for now.

X displays the required resolution excellently.

FWIW, I'm using a Radeon 9200 pro vid card with the
digital interface.

Thanks,

-MW



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On 5/30/06, maxim wexler <blissfixyahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi group,
>
> The console fonts in my new LCD monitor are H-U-G-E.
> Attempts to shrink them by adding vga=xxx at the grub
> prompt after the kernel line has no effect. Here's the
> entire grub session:

I'm not exactly sure, however, I'm making my best educated
guess at this.

> grub> root (hd0,1)
>
> grub> kernel /vmlinuz vga=794 #1280x1024(so I'm
told)

Mine looks like video=vesafb:1024x768-3260, and
so on.  I'd think
that vga=794:1280x1024 or something might work.  However, I
wouldn't
know for sure.  I'm interested to learn what is the correct
solution
though - It'll be neat to see more of how grub behaves.

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On 5/30/06, Lord Sauron <lordsauronthegreatgmail.com> wrote:
> On 5/30/06, maxim wexler <blissfixyahoo.com> wrote:
> > Hi group,
> >
> > The console fonts in my new LCD monitor are
H-U-G-E.
> > Attempts to shrink them by adding vga=xxx at the
grub
> > prompt after the kernel line has no effect.
Here's the
> > entire grub session:
>
> I'm not exactly sure, however, I'm making my best
educated guess at this.
>
> > grub> root (hd0,1)
> >
> > grub> kernel /vmlinuz vga=794 #1280x1024(so
I'm told)
>
> Mine looks like video=vesafb:1024x768-3260, and
so on.  I'd think
> that vga=794:1280x1024 or something might work. 
However, I wouldn't
> know for sure.  I'm interested to learn what is the
correct solution
> though - It'll be neat to see more of how grub
behaves.
>

If you compiled your kernel with framebuffer support, either
using
vesafb or vesa-tng, you'll have to tell the bootloader to
instruct the
kernel on dealing with your display. Check:

http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_fbsplash#What
_is_a_Frame_Buffer_Device.3F

for a complete guide.

-- 
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Computer Operator - RS - Brazil
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maxim wexler wrote:
> Hi group,
> 
> The console fonts in my new LCD monitor are H-U-G-E.
> Attempts to shrink them by adding vga=xxx at the grub
> prompt after the kernel line has no effect. Here's the
> entire grub session:
> 
> grub> root (hd0,1)
> 
> grub> kernel /vmlinuz vga=794 #1280x1024(so I'm
told)
> 
> grub> boot
> 
> 
> I'm not using a grub.conf file, preferring the manual
> method for now.
> 
> X displays the required resolution excellently.
> 
> FWIW, I'm using a Radeon 9200 pro vid card with the
> digital interface.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> -MW
> 
I fixed this with in the kernel:

In Device Drivers | Graphics support, set VESA VGA graphics
support, 
pick a VESA Driver Type ( I use vesafb-tng) and set the VESA
Default 
mode to what your native resolutions is.

Tony

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little temporary
Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
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On 5/30/06, Daniel da Veiga <danieldaveigagmail.com> wrote:
> On 5/30/06, Lord Sauron <lordsauronthegreatgmail.com> wrote:
> > On 5/30/06, maxim wexler <blissfixyahoo.com> wrote:
> > > Hi group,
> > >
> > > The console fonts in my new LCD monitor are
H-U-G-E.
> > > Attempts to shrink them by adding vga=xxx at
the grub
> > > prompt after the kernel line has no effect.
Here's the
> > > entire grub session:
> >
> > I'm not exactly sure, however, I'm making my
best educated guess at this.
> >
> > > grub> root (hd0,1)
> > >
> > > grub> kernel /vmlinuz vga=794
#1280x1024(so I'm told)
> >
> > Mine looks like video=vesafb:1024x768-3260, and
so on.  I'd think
> > that vga=794:1280x1024 or something might work. 
However, I wouldn't
> > know for sure.  I'm interested to learn what is
the correct solution
> > though - It'll be neat to see more of how grub
behaves.
> >
>
> If you compiled your kernel with framebuffer support,
either using
> vesafb or vesa-tng, you'll have to tell the bootloader
to instruct the
> kernel on dealing with your display. Check:

I was closer than I was far, right?  Just that I'm getting
better is a
good sign.  Four months ago I would have no clue whatsoever,
so as far
as I'm concerned improvement is good.

> http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_fbsplash#What
_is_a_Frame_Buffer_Device.3F
>
> for a complete guide.

I'll be looking at that.

-- 
========== GCv3.12 ==========
GCS d-(++) s+: a? C++ UL+>++++ P+
L++ E--- W+(+++) N++ o? K? w--- O? M+
V? PS- PE+ Y-(--) PGP- t+++ 5? X R tv-- b+
                DI+++ D+ G e* h- !r !y
========= END GCv3.12 ========
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On Tue, May 30, 2006 at 11:55:16AM -0700, maxim wexler wrote
> Hi group,
> 
> The console fonts in my new LCD monitor are H-U-G-E.
> Attempts to shrink them by adding vga=xxx at the grub
> prompt after the kernel line has no effect.

  In order to be able to do that, you have to enable it in
the kernel.
In "make menuconfig" follow...

Device Drivers  --->
Graphics support  --->
Console display driver support  --->
[*]   Video mode selection support

  Compiling the kernel that way, and booting from the new
kernel,
enables you to select VGA modes... and you don't have to
muck around
with framebuffer at all.

  In addition to selecting VGA modes, you can also influence
your
display by selecting different sized fonts.  VGA defaults to
8x16 fonts,
which are huge.  "vga=6" selects 8x8 CGA font on
a 640x480 text console,
which gives 80 columns x 60 rows... but is rather hard to
read.

  I set "vga = 6".  In /etc/conf.d/consolefont I
have...
CONSOLEFONT="lat1-10"
                            640 x 480
  The 8x10 pixel font gives --------- = 80 columns x 48
rows.
                              8 x 10

  It is *MUCH* easier on the eyes than "vga =
1", which combines 8x8 CGA
font (bleagh) on a 640x400 pixel text console to give 80x50
text mode.

  You can look in /usr/share/consolefonts to see what's
available.  You
can test various fonts by running setfont ("man
setfont" for details).
Check http://www.waltdnes.org/tips_and_tricks/textmodes.html
for more
details on how and why console fonts work the way they do on
x86 systems.

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My musings on technology and security at http://tech_sec.blog.ca
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