Screen resolution configuration [SOLVED]

[Sasquatch]

I haven't found an explanation in the wiki or via searching the forum, so I thought I'd ask for help. I just installed Salix XFCE 14.1 from a disc I bought. So far, I'm pretty happy with it. But I would like to fix one tiny problem. Every time I boot up it tells me "Unknown display mode 31e" and gives me the option to open a menu and choose a display mode or to hit the space bar and continue on. I can open the menu, choose "3f0" and everything works. If I hit the space bar it still boots up with the native resolution of my laptop. Since it does boot up with the right resolution on its own I don't understand why it asks me to choose. Is there a configuration file I can edit to get it to stop asking me about the screen resolution on bootup? I assume I just need to find where it has "31e" and insert "3f0" instead.

[TracyTiger]

If you haven't already tried this you can edit the lilo configuration file.

The display on boot is controlled by the "vga = " parameter in /etc/lilo.conf.

You can edit the file /etc/lilo.conf then re-run lilo ("sudo lilo -v") then reboot you computer to see the change.

lilo.conf has a list of basic screen resolutions shown as a comments in the file. For example "vga = 791" is 1024x768.

If you set "vga = ask" then you'll see additional screen resolutions settings. This sounds like what you are currently seeing when it boots.

EDIT: I forgot that newer releases may use grub (instead of lilo) if UEFI is involved. If that is the case then you'll have to get a response from someone who uses grub as I only use lilo.

[Sasquatch]

I thought that was the answer I was looking for. But checking lilo.conf has me more confused.

Code: Select all

# VESA framebuffer console @ 1600x1200x64k
vga = 798
# Normal VGA console
# vga = normal
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# vga=773
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x64k
# vga=788
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x32k
# vga=787
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x256
# vga=771
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x64k
# vga=785
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x32k
# vga=784
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769
# End LILO global section

I'm not a programmer, but don't the hash marks mean those sections are blocked? And the native resolution of my laptop, 1366 x 768, isn't on the list.

[TracyTiger]

I'm not a programmer, but don't the hash marks mean those sections are blocked? And the native resolution of my laptop, 1366 x 768, isn't on the list.

Yes the # symbol in the first column signals to lilo that the line is a comment and will be ignored.

It appears you currently have a resolution selected (1600x1200) larger than your laptop will support (1366x768)
Rather than the vga=798 (1600x1200) that you now have in the lilo.conf file, you should select a resolution equal or less than what your laptop will support. Try another value such as vga=791 (1024x768). Or use vga=ask if you want to experiment without having to run "lilo -v" between each reboot/experiment. Make sure only one of the "vga= " lines is uncommented (#).

Video can be a complex subject and there is more than one way to set the video mode on boot.

Unless you are going to be spending a lot of time in a console terminal (what you get when booting) instead of running a terminal in an X Window environment, having the optimal display resolution on the console is not very important.

[Sasquatch]

What confuses me is that the laptop is running at its native resolution. I see that lilo.conf is set at 1600 x 1200. So why does the display setting tell me the screen is at 1366 x 768? 1600 x 1200 isn't even an option on the display setting menu. Strange.

I'm not worried about optimum resolution in the console. I'm just trying to get it to stop asking me what resolution to use every time I boot up. It's like it's set on vga=ask even though it isn't.

[TracyTiger]

The driver (such as vesa) or laptop can't handle 1600x1200 which you set, so the error pops up.

Try another value such as vga=791 (1024x768). If that resolution and color depth is supported by your laptop video then it will stop asking. If that doesn't work then try a smaller resolution such as 800x600.

The safest choice is always "vga = normal".


EDIT: added "or laptop" to first sentence.

[Sasquatch]

Edited lilo.conf to add vga=normal. Problem solved. It boots without asking me what resolution and it boots to the native resolution.

Thanks for the help.