Configuration of VESA-Framebufferdevice (since XFRee 4.0)

Support knowledgebase (cg_framebuffer-x4.0)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions since 6.4
XFree86: Versions since 4.0

Request:

Idea

Before the official start of the kernel, even before the kernel switches into the 32 Bit protected mode, you can change with a Bios call to the graphic mode you want to use. This graphic mode will be in use during the linux system is running.

Requirements

Your graphic card is compatible to `VESA BIOS Extensions 2.0' or higher.

Procedure:

To put the facts mentioned above in practice you need the kernel support for the so called framebufferdevice. If you intent to use X also with the framebufferdevice, due to the fact that your graphic card is not supported with XFree86 directly, you have to install a package from the CD. Since SuSE Linux version 6.3 the support for VESA framebufferdevices is compiled into the kernel, so that it is not neccessary to compile the kernel new.

The procedure step by step

Configuration of the framebuffer with SaX2