Changing the resolution of a virtual terminal

[Mike]

Pete Holsberg wrote:
> When I invoke a virtual terminal via Ctrl-Alt-F*, I get a very low 
> resolution screen.
> 
> I'm using a  Dell 15" LCD monitor and would like the kind of resolution 
> I get when I'm using the "Terminal" application in Gnome.
> 
> Is there an easy way to get this?
> 
> Thanks.
> 

It's not very difficult to change the resolution.  First, 
install hwinfo, if it isn't already installed:
sudo apt-get install hwinfo

Then run:
sudo hwinfo --framebuffer

You'll see something like this:

  Mode 0x0317: 1024x768 (+2048), 16 bits
   Mode 0x0318: 1024x768 (+4096), 24 bits
   Mode 0x031a: 1280x1024 (+2560), 16 bits
   Mode 0x031b: 1280x1024 (+5120), 24 bits
   Mode 0x0330: 320x200 (+320), 8 bits
   Mode 0x0331: 320x400 (+320), 8 bits
   Mode 0x0332: 320x400 (+640), 16 bits

Find the resolution you want and the hexadecimal equivalent of 
the resolution.

For example, my choice of video resolution is 1280x1024 24 bit 
so the relevant hexadecimal I need is "0x031b".

Then edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst and change your kernel 
entry from this:

kernel          /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-28-386 root=/dev/sda3 ro 
quiet splash

to this:

kernel          /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-28-386 root=/dev/sda3 ro 
quiet vga=0x031b splash

Then when you enter tty mode (ctl-alt-f1 etc) you will have 
high resolution tty.

Hope this helps!

Mike