Setting text console dimensions via Grub2

[Jason White]

Kenny Hitt <kenny at hittsjunk.net> writes:

> The 2.6.32-4 kernel on Debian Sid had a problem where it didn't swithc console modes.
> The problem was fixed with the update to 2.6.32-5.

It also seems to depend on which video card/chip set you are using, and
the status of kernel mode switching (KMS) in relation to this hardware.

For example, my laptop has an Intel video chip set, and it acquired KMS,
hence framebuffer consoles in 2.6.31 or early 2.6.32 (these are Debian
kernels, and I can't remember exactly when the change occurred).

My desktop machine didn't acquire a framebuffer console until I moved to
a 2.6.33 kernel in Debian Experimental, which activated the Nouveau
driver for the NVidia card. This driver is also included in more recent
Debian 2.6.32 kernel releases, but I haven't found any need to move back
from 2.6.33 as yet.

As an aside, another means of ascertaining the terminal's dimensions is
to install and run C-Kermit, then use the "show terminal" command, which
on the desktop machine I am using to type this message (namely, the one
with the NVidia card) shows height 65 and width 210.

I should also mention that the line length of e-mail messages and other
files is determined by settings in your text editor.