Re: 48 line console [was Re: Post-22.1 development]?

[Alan Mackenzie]

Hi, Nick!

On Fri, Jun 08, 2007 at 11:06:18AM +1200, Nick Roberts wrote:
>  > I use Emacs on a 48 line Linux tty.  RMS also uses a tty.  So does
>  > Thi, and I think one or two other Emacs developers.  Uncluttered
>  > editing on Emacs isn't going to disappear any time soon.

> I realise it's a bit off-topic, but just how do you set up a 48 line
> console?  I'd like to just use the console for Emacs more often, but
> getting just 24/25 lines can be a real killer.
 
For anybody else who's reading, you've got to compile "frame buffer"
into your (Linux) kernel.  With "make menuconfig" (called from the
directory kernel-source-2.6.n, or the like), go down this branch of the
menu structure:
    <Device Drivers>/<Graphics Support>
, then enable
    <Support for frame buffer devices>
, then click on the right video card.  Don't forget "Logo
Configuration", which is the kernel hackers' secret code word for Tux
the penguin.  :-)

A tip: rather than configuring your kernel from scratch, extract the
current config from your running kernel with 
    gunzip -c /proc/config.gz > .config

Having compiled your new kernel and got it to boot up (no mean
achievement, the first time you manage it - don't be deluded by the
hordes of smart Alecs on the Web telling you how easy it is and how it
can be done "in half an hour".  It hurts. ;-), you have to give it a
parameter like

    video=matroxfb:vesa:791,

but I've forgotten exactly what that means, it was so long ago.  The
documentation is under ..../kernel-2.6.n/Documentation/fb/.  My lilo
stanza in its entirety looks like this

image= /home/acm/kernel-source-2.6.8/arch/i386/boot/bzImage
  label = Deb-Sarge-NW
  read-only
  append = "root=/dev/hdg6 video=matroxfb:vesa:791 ide3=0xd800,0xdc02,11 
parport=0x378,7 lp=parport0"
  root = /dev/hdg6
  vga = 0x030A

> -- Nick

-- 
Alan.