Difference between revisions of "Uvesafb"

From Funtoo
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Updated the <code> and <console> tags on the page to {{c}} and {{console}} templates. Changed the wording in a few places.)
 
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
== ''How to'' : Framebuffer: Userspace VESA VGA graphics support ==
== ''How to'' : Framebuffer: Userspace VESA VGA graphics support ==
Uvesafb is an improved framebuffer driver for Linux systems with some enhancements compared to vesa. Uvesafb can allow you to get a full-resolution console, even if you have installed a graphics driver that does not support full-resolution consoles. Examples of drivers like these: [[Package:AMD_Catalyst_Video_Drivers| ati-drivers]] and NVidia-drivers.
Uvesafb is an improved framebuffer driver for Linux systems with some enhancements compared to vesa. Uvesafb can allow you to get a full-resolution console, even if you have installed a graphics driver that does not support full-resolution consoles, such as [[Package:AMD_Catalyst_Video_Drivers| ati-drivers]] or NVidia-drivers.


== Kernel configuration ==
== Kernel configuration ==
Before we emerge the required packages for uvesafb functionality, we have to configure the kernel properly.
Before we emerge the required packages for uvesafb functionality, we have to configure the kernel properly:
{{Kernelop|title=|desc=
{{Kernelop|title=|desc=
Device Drivers --->
Device Drivers --->
Line 15: Line 15:
}}
}}


{{Note|Build the kernel {{c|make}} from the kernel sources directory ({{c|/usr/src/linux}}. Do not install the kernel and modules ({{c|make install modules_install}}). You can choose uvesafb as a module, unlike vesa.}}
{{Note|Build the kernel {{c|make}} from the kernel sources directory ({{c|/usr/src/linux}}, but do not install the kernel and modules ({{c|make install modules_install}}). You can choose uvesafb as a module, unlike vesa.}}
 
== Install required packages ==
== Install required packages ==
Emerge {{Package|dev-libs/klibc}}. Klibc has to be compiled against a kernel that includes uvesafb support. This only has to be done once:
Emerge {{Package|dev-libs/klibc}}. Klibc has to be compiled against a kernel that includes uvesafb support. This only has to be done once:
{{console|body=
{{console|body=
###i## emerge klibc
###i## emerge klibc
}}
}}
{{Package|sys-apps/v86d}} is the userspace helper that runs x86 code in emulated environment. Uvesafb will not work without v86d. Emerge {{c|v86d}}:
After {{c|klibc}} has been installed, the userspace helper, {{Package|sys-apps/v86d}}, can be installed. Uvesafb will not work without {{c|v86d}}:
{{console|body=
{{console|body=
###i## emerge v86d
###i## emerge v86d
}}
}}
== Back to kernel configuration ==
== Back to kernel configuration ==
Reconfigure the kernel to include {{c|/usr/share/v86d/initramfs}} as an initramfs source file:
Reconfigure the kernel to include {{c|/usr/share/v86d/initramfs}} as an initramfs source file:
Line 35: Line 32:
     (/usr/share/v86d/initramfs)    Initramfs source file(s)
     (/usr/share/v86d/initramfs)    Initramfs source file(s)
}}
}}
Rebuild the kernel: make and install it, install the modules
After building in {{c|/usr/share/v86d/initramfs}} as an initramfs file in the kernel, rebuild your kernel sources ({{c|make}}) and install the newly compiled kernel and its modules ({{c|make install modules_install}}).
 
== Bootloader configuration ==
== Bootloader configuration ==
If you compiled uvesafb into the kernel (not as a module), you can configure its behavior by editing the {{c|params +=}} line in {{c|/etc/boot.conf}}. Below, some of the more common switches used with uvesafb are explained:
If you compiled uvesafb into the kernel (not as a module), you can configure its behavior by editing the {{c|params +{{=}}}} line in {{c|/etc/boot.conf}}. Below, some of the more common arguments used with uvesafb are explained:
* <code>video=uvesafb:<screen y-res>x<screen x-res>-<color depth></code>: Tells the kernel that you want to use the uvesafb driver for console output. Also specifies that you will be using uvesafb at a set x-screen resolution, y screen-resolution, and color depth. Set the first part to the size of your screen (in pixels). For example, if I had a 1920x1080 screen and wanted a color depth of 32, I would add the following: <code>video=uvesafb:1920x1080-32</code>
* <code>video=uvesafb:<screen y-res>x<screen x-res>-<color depth></code>: Tells the kernel that you want to use the uvesafb driver for console output. Also specifies that you will be using uvesafb at a set screen resolution, and color depth. Set the first part to the size of your screen (in pixels) and the second part to the color depth of your screen (most monitors now have a depth of 32). For example, if I had a 1920x1080 screen and a color depth of 32, I would add the following: <code>video=uvesafb:1920x1080-32</code>


* {{c|mtrr:x}}: X represents the number 0 or 3. This option allows you to set up the memory type range registers for uvesafb. Setting x=0 disables mtrr and setting x=3 enables mtrr. x=3 is the default setting for this switch. mtrr:3 is recommended.
* {{c|mtrr:x}}: X represents the number 0 or 3. This option allows you to set up the memory type range registers for uvesafb. Setting x=0 disables mtrr and setting x=3 enables mtrr. x=3 is the default setting for this switch. {{c|mtrr:3}} is recommended.


* {{c|ywrap}}: Add support for display panning. Recommended.  
* {{c|ywrap}}: Add support for display panning. Recommended.  


{{Tip|For more information regarding these switches, check out http://www.mjmwired.net/kernel/Documentation/fb/uvesafb.txt}}
{{Tip|For more information regarding these arguments, check out http://www.mjmwired.net/kernel/Documentation/fb/uvesafb.txt}}


Now that you have a basic understanding of a few of the different switches, you can configure your {{c|/etc/boot.conf}} to allow booting with the uvesafb framebuffer:
Now that you have a basic understanding of a few of the different arguments, you can configure your {{c|/etc/boot.conf}} to allow booting with the uvesafb framebuffer:


{{file|name=/etc/boot.conf|desc= |body=
{{file|name=/etc/boot.conf|desc= |body=
Line 62: Line 58:
{{Note|Realize that the configuration in the above file will not work on every computer. You must change the resolution (and possibly other switches) to best suite your needs.}}
{{Note|Realize that the configuration in the above file will not work on every computer. You must change the resolution (and possibly other switches) to best suite your needs.}}


After you have finished editing your <tt>/etc/boot.conf</tt>, run the following:
After you have finished editing your {{c|/etc/boot.conf}}, run the following:
{{console|body=
{{console|body=
###i## boot-update
###i## boot-update

Latest revision as of 12:54, September 20, 2016

How to : Framebuffer: Userspace VESA VGA graphics support

Uvesafb is an improved framebuffer driver for Linux systems with some enhancements compared to vesa. Uvesafb can allow you to get a full-resolution console, even if you have installed a graphics driver that does not support full-resolution consoles, such as ati-drivers or NVidia-drivers.

Kernel configuration

Before we emerge the required packages for uvesafb functionality, we have to configure the kernel properly:

Device Drivers --->
    <*> Connector - unified userspace <-> kernelspace linker  --->

    Graphics support --->
        Frame buffer devices --->
        [*] Support for frame buffer devices  --->
            [*] Enable firmware EDID
            <*> Userspace VESA VGA graphics support
   Note

Build the kernel make from the kernel sources directory (/usr/src/linux, but do not install the kernel and modules (make install modules_install). You can choose uvesafb as a module, unlike vesa.

Install required packages

Emerge No results. Klibc has to be compiled against a kernel that includes uvesafb support. This only has to be done once:

root # emerge klibc

After klibc has been installed, the userspace helper, No results, can be installed. Uvesafb will not work without v86d:

root # emerge v86d

Back to kernel configuration

Reconfigure the kernel to include /usr/share/v86d/initramfs as an initramfs source file:

General Setup--->
    [*] Initial RAM filesystem and RAM disk (initramfs/initrd) support
    (/usr/share/v86d/initramfs)    Initramfs source file(s)

After building in /usr/share/v86d/initramfs as an initramfs file in the kernel, rebuild your kernel sources (make) and install the newly compiled kernel and its modules (make install modules_install).

Bootloader configuration

If you compiled uvesafb into the kernel (not as a module), you can configure its behavior by editing the params += line in /etc/boot.conf. Below, some of the more common arguments used with uvesafb are explained:

  • video=uvesafb:<screen y-res>x<screen x-res>-<color depth>: Tells the kernel that you want to use the uvesafb driver for console output. Also specifies that you will be using uvesafb at a set screen resolution, and color depth. Set the first part to the size of your screen (in pixels) and the second part to the color depth of your screen (most monitors now have a depth of 32). For example, if I had a 1920x1080 screen and a color depth of 32, I would add the following: video=uvesafb:1920x1080-32
  • mtrr:x: X represents the number 0 or 3. This option allows you to set up the memory type range registers for uvesafb. Setting x=0 disables mtrr and setting x=3 enables mtrr. x=3 is the default setting for this switch. mtrr:3 is recommended.
  • ywrap: Add support for display panning. Recommended.
   Tip

For more information regarding these arguments, check out http://www.mjmwired.net/kernel/Documentation/fb/uvesafb.txt

Now that you have a basic understanding of a few of the different arguments, you can configure your /etc/boot.conf to allow booting with the uvesafb framebuffer:

   /etc/boot.conf
boot {
        generate grub
        default "Funtoo Linux: uvesafb" 
        timeout 3 
}
  "Funtoo Linux: uvesafb" { 
        kernel bzImage[-v]
        params += video=uvesafb:1920x1080-32,mtrr:3,ywrap
}
   Note

Realize that the configuration in the above file will not work on every computer. You must change the resolution (and possibly other switches) to best suite your needs.

After you have finished editing your /etc/boot.conf, run the following:

root # boot-update

Finally, reboot your computer so that you can test out uvesafb:

root # reboot