Linux: Terminal sizes beyond 80 columns x 24 rows
From FVue
Contents |
Problem
How do I switch my virtual, non-graphical terminal to something larger than the default 80 columns x 24 rows?
Solution
First boot with kernel parameter vga=ask to get a list of supported modes. Try different modes and specify a default mode as vga=<number> within the boot command file (/boot/grub/menu.lst for Grub).
Grub
- Within Grub startup menu - before booting the kernel - press 'e' to "edit the commands before booting"
- Select the line starting with "kernel ..." and press 'e' to "edit the selected command in the boot sequence"
- Add `vga=ask'.
For example, my grub command line looks like this:
-
grub edit> kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro vga=ask
- Press 'b' to boot
- Press RETURN. Default modes are:
0 0F00 80x25 1 0F01 80x50 2 0F02 80x43 3 0F03 80x28 4 0F05 80x30 5 0F06 80x34 6 0F07 80x60
Press RETURN. Found additional modes:
7 0100 40x25 8 0122 132x44 9 0123 132x25 a 0124 132x28 b 012A 100x37
100 columns x 37 rows
1. Modify /boot/grub/menu.lst:
kernel ... vga=0x012A ...
132 columns x 44 rows
(If only I could find a nice 6x8 font?)
1. Modify /boot/grub/menu.lst:
kernel ... vga=0x0122 ...
2. Modify /etc/sysconfig/console
CONSOLE_FONT="lat9w-08.psfu"
See also
- VESA BIOS Extensions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Thorough article, describing VESA history and all possible Linux video mode numbers
Journal
20060421
http://en.tldp.org/HOWTO/Text-Terminal-HOWTO.html
20060422
http://en.tldp.org/HOWTO/Keyboard-and-Console-HOWTO-16.html
This is somewhat better, but still 80 columns:
resizecons -lines 44 export TERM=linux-80x44
I notice this line during boot:
Loading console font lat9w-16.psfu -m trivial G0:loadable
Edit GRUB command line during boot, by pressing 'e'. Specified kernel parameter vga=ask ({ e | vga=ask | b }). Press RETURN. Default modes are:
0 0F00 80x25 1 0F01 80x50 2 0F02 80x43 3 0F03 80x28 4 0F05 80x30 5 0F06 80x34 6 0F07 80x60
Press RETURN. Found additional modes:
7 0100 40x25 8 0122 132x44 9 0123 132x25 a 0124 132x28 b 012A 100x37
Specifying 012A seems to work without scan first. Not during boot. Maybe 0x012A? Yes, so additional modes must be prefixed with '0x'. However, when specifying 8 (132x44) the console displays 25 lines only and remaining lines are 'below' the screen. Mode b (100x37) works nice though. However, when specified in /boot/grub/menu.lst, GRUB halts
You passed an undefined mode number.
I can change font height with the command setfont /usr/share/kbd/consolefonts/lat9w-10.psfu.gz. If only I could find a font suitable for 132 columns, a 6x8 font?
Virtual Consoles in Linux - Changing fonts
20081005
Program `setfont' is part of Debian package `kbd'. Install with sudo apt-get install kbd
- [nSLUG Want to reduce size of console font...confused]
- Forum thread resulting in two solutions: vga=0x317 of using frame-buffer
20090213
- Console session very large text font - LinuxQuestions.org
- Forum thread with lots of information
