Console resolution problem
reddit / freebsd

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cmic37 · 2020-09-01 13:34

Fresh FreeBSD-12-RELEASE install on a HP server, model ML110 G6.
I don't use X11, only the console (and, hey, ssh...)
I browsed and fumbled in the forum to enhance the resolution of the
console.
I tried to put these lines into /boot/loader.conf:

i915kms\_load="YES"
kern.vt.fb.default\_mode="1280x1024"
i915kms\_load="YES"

and reboot, but nothing is changed.
I'm sure it could be done bc the same server with a Debian 10 version
shows a very different definition (may be 130 lines by 100 columns ?)


By the way, I imagine there might be a way to know what is the type
and model of the graphic card. How to search that ? So I could kldload
a correct driver ??


Thanks for any help.
\--
a retired sysadmin ...

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neel1337 · 2020-09-01 17:47

Servers including the ML110 G6 (owned that previously) usually don't
use an iGPU the way a desktop/laptop does. Therefore, `i915kms` won't
work.

Servers usually have a dedicated video-output chip that's **much**
weaker in terms of graphics performance but also capable of IPMI.

Try `sc(4)`, it should support VESA.

You could also look into getting a PCIe GPU, but I haven't had a ML110
G6 in many years (I have a ML110 Gen10 but that's a whole different
beast altogether).

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cmic37 · 2020-09-02 16:14

Solved.

As stated by u/neel1337, I have to use the syscons driver sc(4).
\-first put this line in /boot/loader.conf
**kern.vty=sc**

and reboot

\-now I can use "vidcontrol -i mode" to choose a video mode (I have a
1280x104 screen), so I choose the mode 0x119
\-edit /boot/device.hints ant put these 3 lines:
**hint.sc.0.at="isa"**
**hint.sc.0.vesa\_mode="0x119"**
**hint.sc.0.flags="0x0080"**

The flags 0x0080 "activate/enables" the VESA\_MODE".
and reboot. I have the correct definition. But you can use a thinner
font with this command:


**vidcontrol -f iso-thin-8x16**