XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

hendry · 2016-04-04 06:54:23

Hi there,

I just had the misfortune of helping a colleague install Archlinux on a Dell XPS 13 [1]. The big problem was tiny fonts. I tried `setfont` on every large looking number in /usr/share/kbd/consolefonts/ and nothing would get it readable. Can anyone recommend a HUGE console font? Or maybe some boot command I could try instead?

[1] https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Dell_XPS_13_(2016)

dsana123 · 2016-04-04 19:35:02

I use terminus font

After installing, this font size works well for me on a Macbook Pro 13 Retina.

setfont ter-132n

hendry · 2016-04-05 05:44:16

Thanks, though just installing the terminus font on an unreadable screen can be quite a challenge.

I wonder what that `setfont lat2-16 -m 8859-2` -m switch is about in https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Fo … sole_fonts

I wonder if it's fair enough to file a bug on Archlinux install asking for a much larger default font.

dsana123 · 2016-04-05 05:51:34

If the screen is genuinely unreadable, then you can create your own Arch ISO with terminus-font installed and a "/etc/vconsole.conf" file that declares the "FONT=ter-132n" directive.

hendry · 2016-04-05 05:57:11

I was thinking, is there some linux kernel switch https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/ke … de_setting to make sure it's readable?

Seemingly nothing simple & straightforward from scanning the wiki page.

JamieKitson · 2016-04-05 07:12:59

I think xrandr's scale option might be what you're after:

http://blog.jamiek.it/2015/04/manually- … -with.html

Edit: oh sorry, you're not even in X, I'll go back to sleep.

Last edited by JamieKitson (2016-04-05 08:10:44)

ewaller · 2016-04-05 14:16:54

hendry wrote:

Thanks, though just installing the terminus font on an unreadable screen can be quite a challenge.

If you cannot raise the bridge, lower the river. What about using ssh from another box to do the install?

Last edited by ewaller (2016-04-05 14:17:09)

Gusar · 2016-04-05 14:53:14

Everyone is focusing on fonts, so I'll do the other thing and recommend a boot command: A simple video=1024x768 should work. You could also use nomodeset. Not as a permanent solution, but just for the initial install which would include installing a really big font.

headkase · 2016-04-05 14:55:31

Gusar wrote:

Everyone is focusing on fonts, so I'll do the other thing and recommend a boot command: A simple video=1024x768 should work. You could also use nomodeset. Not as a permanent solution, but just for the initial install which would include installing a really big font.

lol, but but..

miscreant · 2016-04-09 02:36:55

Gusar wrote:

Everyone is focusing on fonts, so I'll do the other thing and recommend a boot command: A simple video=1024x768 should work. You could also use nomodeset. Not as a permanent solution, but just for the initial install which would include installing a really big font.

+1

I have an XPS 13 as well and this was driving me nuts.
Setting video=1024x768 is definitely the way to go.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/kernel_parameters

Arch Linux

#1 2016-04-04 06:54:23

XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#2 2016-04-04 19:35:02

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#3 2016-04-05 05:44:16

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#4 2016-04-05 05:51:34

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#5 2016-04-05 05:57:11

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#6 2016-04-05 07:12:59

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#7 2016-04-05 14:16:54

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#8 2016-04-05 14:53:14

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#9 2016-04-05 14:55:31

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

#10 2016-04-09 02:36:55

Re: XPS 13 3200x1800 resolution = tiny console fonts

Board footer