Setting the resolution or character size for boot and text consoles on SLE 12 and newer
This document (7017979) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.
Environment
Situation
Resolution
Both the grub2 settings and the kernel parameter can be added to the grub2 boot loader configuration. Follow these steps as the root user to make the changes:
Edit /etc/default/grub
Locate this line:
GRUB_GFXMODE=auto
Change it to the desired resolution. Lets use an example of 1280x1024:
GRUB_GFXMODE=1280x1024
Look for this entry. If it doesn't exist add it under the GRUB_GFXMODE setting:
GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD=keep
For the kernel parameter locate the line that begins with:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=
Go to the end of that line and add this entry (again using 1280x1024 as an example):
video=1280x1024
The full line would look similar to this:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="resume=/dev/disk/by-uuid/0e618837-2b33-4ed1-ba0d-ec8b1dfad196 splash=silent quiet showopts crashkernel=97M,high crashkernel=72M,low video=1280x1024"
Save the file then run the following command to write the changes to the grub2 bootloader configuration:
grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
Reboot the system to have the changes take effect.
Cause
Additional Information
In some cases KMS being enabled causes trouble with the graphic desktop. This is common in VM's and in situations where the hardware is not properly detected for some reason. This may result in adding the kernel parameter "nomodeset" which disables the kernel KMS. In that case the kernel parameter mentioned above "video=1280x1024" (or whatever the desired resolution is) should not be added. KMS is already disabled and will not change the resolution set by the GRUB_GFXMODE setting.
For those that are familiar with the "vga=" parameter used in earlier kernel versions, this setting is depreciated and should no longer be used. It will still work if KMS is disabled but is no longer the preferred method and will be removed eventually.
Disclaimer
This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
- Document ID:7017979
- Creation Date: 24-Aug-2016
- Modified Date:03-Mar-2020
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- SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
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