[COLUG] changing console resolution on Linux server

[Rob Funk]

Brian wrote:
> Over the last several months we have replaced the KVM's in our server
> room.  We now have one Linux server where the console (non-GUI) will
> not display on the new video display.  We receive an error of
> "resolution is too high".  When we connect a regular monitor to the
> system, the console shows up just fine, although the text is small
> enough that I could easily say that the resolution is perhaps
> 1280x1024.
>
> If it were a GUI login screen, I would know how to go about reducing
> the resolution.  But how do you change the resolution on a CLI screen?

The issue is that it's using the Linux framebuffer for the console.
Is this an x86 box or some other architecture?  Usually x86 doesn't 
require the framebuffer, while some other architectures do.

I believe the fbset program will allow you to modify the framebuffer 
settings on a running machine, which will work until the next reboot.

Check the kernel boot parameters; there's probably a vga= or video= 
parameter; deleting that will make the kernel use the text console, 
assuming that's possible with your video setup.

-- 
==============================|   "A microscope locked in on one point
 Rob Funk <rfunk at funknet.net> |Never sees what kind of room that it's in"
 http://www.funknet.net/rfunk |    -- Chris Mars, "Stuck in Rewind"