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I used to activate framebuffer mode in the "older" kernels with vga=ask, and later setting it to a value, once I've figured out which one works best for me.

Now, this option seems to be gone, the 3.11 kernel tells me it ignores this legacy option.

What should I use instead, when activating framebuffer mode for the text mode consoles and the boot process?

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polemon
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  • ISTR some command line tool being used for this instead now... – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams Sep 29 '13 at 07:16
  • What is your video card? From my experience, most modern cards (Intel, nVidia, ATI/AMD) automatically enter the framebuffer mode upon boot. – Renan Sep 29 '13 at 23:55
  • @Renan I have an nVidia GeForce 9600 iirc. It seems to not detect my dual monitor setup. Also, I've never got to have the framebuffer working in 1080p. Is there a way to force framebuffer mode? – polemon Sep 30 '13 at 11:51

2 Answers2

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KMS-enabled kernels overrule any vga= setting before init completes, when modesetting is initiated, functionally making whether vga=ask works or not moot.

Instead, use video= with the specific mode desired on the vttys. With video=, you're not limited to VESA modes - any mode supported by the display can be used. It's even possible sometimes with video= to specify modes that a display doesn't natively support, though the result can be ugly, e.g. 2048x1024 on a 1920x1200 native display.

See https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/fb/modedb.txt for video= documentation.

AdminBee
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mrmazda
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-3

You don't need too.

Newer kernel are not using framebuffer at all, instead modesetting is now the default.

Modesetting should be able to provide you best possible resolution your monitor/vga can support.

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    oookay... How do I do that? A Link to a Documentation, maybe? – polemon Sep 29 '13 at 10:00
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    that's the best part, you don't need to do anything! mode setting is full automated. simply having it enabled in kernel should do the trick – Armin Sep 29 '13 at 10:02
  • Well, it doesn't do anything as of yet, and it's not switching into framebuffer mode at boot. – polemon Sep 29 '13 at 10:18
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    There are many caveats for this, such as it only works with certain video drivers (and the common proprietary nvidia drivers are not one of them), KMS must be enabled in the kernel, and some modules require it to be turned on (`i915.modeset=1` for example). – phemmer Sep 30 '13 at 03:00
  • @Patrick I do use the proprietary nvidia drivers! I remember it still *kinda* working, though. Could you link something more specific, or add an answer? – polemon Oct 03 '13 at 08:00