[HowTo] FreeBSD console framebuffer

First thing we have to do is add VESA and SC_PIXEL_MODE to the kernel and rebuild. You should always cvsup and rebuild your kernel and world to the latest available. However, don't try to 'optimize' the BSD kernel. It is already well optimized. If there is an option, like this, that you need to have, then go for it. We need to open the kernel config file. I would recommend that you cvsup first so that you rebuild the latest world/kernel, but it's optional.

cvsup -h cvsup2.freebsd.org -g -L 2 /usr/share/examples/cvsup/standard-supfile

Obviously, you can use whichever cvsup server you want. You can install fastest_cvsup to fins what server is fastest for your location as well. If this is the first time you are cvsup-ing, it will take some time. When it completes, we will continue.

cp /usr/src/sys/i386/conf/GENERIC /usr/src/sys/i386/conf/GENERICVESA

Name it to whatever you want.

vi /usr/src/sys/i386/conf/GENERICVESA

You will see, a couple of lines down an "ident GENERIC" line. You can change this if you want. It will be the display of the kernel in uname.

Directly after that, you will start to see 'option xxxxx #Description' sections..

This is where we add our options:

options VESA
options SC_PIXEL_MODE

Save your changes and exit.

From here, you generally build the world, and the kernel, install the kernel, reboot to single-user mode, mergemaster, installworld, etc... but I'm going to skip the buildworld because it will eat up a lot of time, and we can do it after the kernel.

cd /usr/src
make buildkernel KERNCONF=GENERICVESA
make installkernel KERNCONF=GENERICVESA
reboot

Now, you won't get the resolution just yet, we're not quite done. Boot back up and do the following:

kldload vesa
vidcontrol -i mode | less

You should see a punch of different modes. Scroll through and find one you'd like. For me, 1024x768x24 is the size I want. The first column shows the mode number, mine being 280.

Choose the one you want and try:

vidcontrol MODE_xxx

Substituting "xxx" for the number of the mode you want. The screen will go bank for a second, then it should come back with the prompt. If it cannot handle the resolution you specified, it should return with an error.

If it works, GREAT! Now we can add this to /etc/rc.conf to load on boot-up. However, we must make sure we load vesa on boot-up as well.

vi /boot/loader.conf

add the line :

vesa_load="NO"

change it to "YES" (maintaining caps)

Save, and exit.

vi /etc/rc.conf

and add to the end:

allscreens_flags="MODE_xxx"