Arch Linux

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Framebuffer 1680x1050

How do I make framebuffer use 1680x1050?  I've tried vga=873 and 874 but they dont work...do I need a different framebuffer driver?  Arch uses vesafb with the stock kernel iirc.

signor_rossi

Member

Registered: 2007-08-24

Posts: 257

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

What graphic card?
vesafb with my ATI x600 cannot do 1680x1050, radeonfb can but it isn't advisable to use it since it is most likely to crash the whole machine when used together with X.

SignorRossi.

testube_babies

Member

From: 127.0.0.1

Registered: 2007-06-26

Posts: 115

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

You could try vga=ask to see what framebuffer resolutions your card supports.  Even though I have a card that supports 1680x1050 in X, it only supports 4:3 framebuffer resolutions.

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me@dA

Mikko777

Member

From: Suomi, Finland

Registered: 2006-10-30

Posts: 837

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

I recently ran into that one aswell.

Try the vga=ask first to get a list of supported modes, the 8xx modes seem to take this format:

vga=0x346  <-- for something like 1600x1200 or so... (cannot remember the exact resolution atm)

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Planet KDE | Opendesktop.org | Chakra Project

alessandro_ufms

Member

From: Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

Registered: 2008-06-25

Posts: 153

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

Try 872

pelle.k

Member

From: Åre, Sweden (EU)

Registered: 2006-04-30

Posts: 667

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

Use "hwinfo --framebuffer" as root; http://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=14977

$ sudo hwinfo --framebuffer | grep 1680
  Mode 0x0368: 1680x1050 (+1680), 8 bits
  Mode 0x0369: 1680x1050 (+6720), 24 bits

So i use "vga=0x0368", but i don't know if that applies to other video adapters as well.

---

"Your beliefs can be like fences that surround you.
You must first see them or you will not even realize that you are not free, simply because you will not see beyond the fences.
They will represent the boundaries of your experience."
SETH / Jane Roberts

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

my graphics card is an 8800gt

i ran hwinfo and got this:

Mode 0x0368: 1680x1050 (+1680), 8 bits
Mode 0x0369: 1680x1050 (+6720), 24 bits

those are vga=872 and 873.

I'm not sure if I've tried 872 before...but I'm thinking maybe i need a different framebuffer driver.

I'll also try the vga=ask.

Last edited by Gauvenator (2009-01-02 19:41:12)

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

ok I tried 872 (didn't work) and ask doesn't give me an option for 1680x1050, despite hwinfo telling me that my card supports 1680x1050.

edit: pelle.k what graphics card do you use?

Last edited by Gauvenator (2009-01-02 19:50:14)

Flasher

Member

From: Bavaria / Germany

Registered: 2005-04-24

Posts: 126

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

Hello!

try uvesafb. this is the sucessor of vesafb and can handle much more modes!

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

Hello!

try uvesafb. this is the sucessor of vesafb and can handle much more modes!

Is it something I need to compile into the kernel or that I need to install?

pelle.k

Member

From: Åre, Sweden (EU)

Registered: 2006-04-30

Posts: 667

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

those are vga=872 and 873.

Yeah, but i explicilty said i use vga=0x0368 (copy that verbatim), so unless that is what you meant, you should try again. I use a GF 8600M GS.

---

"Your beliefs can be like fences that surround you.
You must first see them or you will not even realize that you are not free, simply because you will not see beyond the fences.
They will represent the boundaries of your experience."
SETH / Jane Roberts

Flasher

Member

From: Bavaria / Germany

Registered: 2005-04-24

Posts: 126

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

Twice

First of all you need a kernel module. It's called uvesafb. You also need a "userspace helper" called v86d.

When you use the arch-kernel, you can check the arch wiki. If you have a custom kernel (build by your own) you need the kernel support (of course) and also v86d.
There is a thread, we discussed uvesafb & custom kernel:
http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=60015

In the thread I posted a running PKGBUILD for custom kernels.

The homepage of the uvesafb author: http://dev.gentoo.org/~spock/projects/uvesafb/

If you want to check, if your graphic card support your prefered resolution, please check the FAQ:
http://dev.gentoo.org/~spock/projects/uvesafb/faq.php

Best regards,

Flasher

lzs

Member

Registered: 2008-01-23

Posts: 39

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

"vga=0x0368" works for me as well (8800gt).

those are vga=872 and 873.

You did not add 512 there.

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

ok i just tried vga=0x0368 and it's a no go   thx anyway tho.

I'm gonna give uvesafb a whirl.  Thx flasher for the info

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

ok I got uvesafb working, but it doesn't support 1680x1050 either it seems...is there a way to add modes to it?  I put this in the /etc/modprobe.d/uvesafb

options uvesafb mode_option=1680x1050-32@60 scroll=ywrap

but it looks like it's going to 1280x1024 instead.

Flasher

Member

From: Bavaria / Germany

Registered: 2005-04-24

Posts: 126

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

If the file explaned in uvesafb FAQ doesn't support your resolution you haven't any chance to get it working! sorry :-(

It's a restiction of your graphic card!

Last edited by Flasher (2009-01-03 02:28:12)

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

Thx for all you help everyone!  I'll have to see if there's a way to add modes to the bios of a card...but I guess this is what I get for getting an 8800gt when they first came out.

outerdark

Member

From: Germany, Freiburg

Registered: 2007-04-02

Posts: 38

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

vga=840 and video=nvidiafb works at me at 1680x1050

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

vga=840 and video=nvidiafb works at me at 1680x1050

doesn't nvidiafb conflict with the nvidia X driver tho?

Ranguvar

Member

Registered: 2008-08-12

Posts: 2,549

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

It does.

You _might_ be able to flash your video card's BIOS with the BIOS of a card from a different brand (eVGA, BFG, etc.), in order to get some vbe modes. My 9600GT doesn't offer anything widescreen, but I know some people have the same GPU working with 1680x1050 fb, etc... so, I've been led to believe that the board makers sometimes are stupid and don't put many vbe modes into the BIOS (after all, only a tiny percentage of users will need them: Linux framebuffer users).

I looked at flashing your video card's BIOS a while back (for unlocking pipes, etc.), and I _believe_ it's fairly safe - you can reflash with a floppy/USB utility if you backed up your old BIOS with said utility first. But, I'm not sure. Worst case, if hosing your BIOS means you can't even get basic POST text, you would need to use a PCI graphics card, integrated, or something else while you fix your main card's BIOS.

You can find supported vbe modes by doing a 'cat /sys/devices/platform/uvesafb.0/vbe_modes'.

I'm going to try this eventually and report back - if you do try it before me, let us know your results

Oh, and one more thing: I just stumbled upon something called FreeBE/AF. It seems to replace the VBE (VESA BIOS Extensions) system entirely with a hardware-accelerated system. Maybe it will also fix the vbe modes problem? I gotta go, but see if you can find anything imteresting

Last edited by Ranguvar (2009-01-04 21:01:47)

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

It does.

You _might_ be able to flash your video card's BIOS with the BIOS of a card from a different brand (eVGA, BFG, etc.), in order to get some vbe modes. My 9600GT doesn't offer anything widescreen, but I know some people have the same GPU working with 1680x1050 fb, etc... so, I've been led to believe that the board makers sometimes are stupid and don't put many vbe modes into the BIOS (after all, only a tiny percentage of users will need them: Linux framebuffer users).

I looked at flashing your video card's BIOS a while back (for unlocking pipes, etc.), and I _believe_ it's fairly safe - you can reflash with a floppy/USB utility if you backed up your old BIOS with said utility first. But, I'm not sure. Worst case, if hosing your BIOS means you can't even get basic POST text, you would need to use a PCI graphics card, integrated, or something else while you fix your main card's BIOS.

You can find supported vbe modes by doing a 'cat /sys/devices/platform/uvesafb.0/vbe_modes'.

I'm going to try this eventually and report back - if you do try it before me, let us know your results

Oh, and one more thing: I just stumbled upon something called FreeBE/AF. It seems to replace the VBE (VESA BIOS Extensions) system entirely with a hardware-accelerated system. Maybe it will also fix the vbe modes problem? I gotta go, but see if you can find anything imteresting

Yeh I've flashed the bios before on my 8800 gt for a voltmod...I'll have to try and get another manufacturer's bios and try that.

I'll look into the FreeBE/AF first tho.  Thx

Roberth

Member

From: The Pale Blue Dot

Registered: 2007-01-12

Posts: 894

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

vga=0x0368

Worked fine for me, 9800gt.

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Use the Source, Luke!

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

ok what brand and model cards are all you 8800gt owners with lots of framebuffer resolutions using?

I'm gonna try the bios flash.

There are a ton of nvidia bios files here:
http://www.mvktech.net/component/option … der/cat,4/

Ranguvar

Member

Registered: 2008-08-12

Posts: 2,549

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

Tada! http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=110752

Also, some interesting info on a link from that thread. Apparently, running hwinfo on your card shows all the vbe modes the GPU itself can handle. Anything there that isn't in the modes list is a BIOS limit. I *think*.

Last edited by Ranguvar (2009-01-04 23:17:40)

Gauvenator

Member

Registered: 2008-04-03

Posts: 172

Re: Framebuffer 1680x1050

hmm well I do get 1680x1050 with that...I've posted the output earlier in the thread.

I'll try with the nvidiafb just to see if it works, but I know I can't use the nvidia X driver with nvidiafb

I still want to try flashing tho...vga=ask on boot does not give me 1680x1050 as an option, despite the hwinfo output.