Framebuffer

A framebuffer enables the kernel to display graphics on an otherwise text only console. These drivers can also be used for other things, such as running a non-accelerated X server or playing video in media players with framebuffer support. Framebuffer support is a requirement for applications like Fbsplash and Qingy.

Kernel Configuration
Make your way to the kernel source directory, cd usually gets you there, and run make menuconfig. The relevant entries are located under Device Drivers -> Graphics support as seen here:

You almost definitely want to tick Enable firmware EDID. If you notice that the kernel is taking a long time to load, disable it. Listed below Frame buffer hardware drivers are the actual hardware drivers.

uvesafb
Some tinkering is involved to get the uvesafb driver working. You will need to enable Connector - unified userspace <-> kernelspace linker and Userspace VESA VGA graphics support.

Rebuild the kernel, but don't install it just yet. The reason we first needed to build the kernel is that we need klibc to compile against a kernel with Connector - unified userspace <-> kernelspace linker and Userspace VESA VGA graphics support enabled. Next we need the userspace helper,

Now, read the initramfs kernel configuration chapter for instruction on enabling initramfs support, which is needed to include bits of in the kernel. Set the Initramfs source file(s) to ,

Rebuild the kernel yet again and finally install it.

vesafb
The vesafb driver is a generic VESA driver that works with most VESA compatible cards.

sisfb
For users with a SiS card, you want the sisfb driver.

This driver supports the following SiS cards:
 * SiS 300 series: SiS 300/305, 540, 630(S), 730(S)
 * SiS 315 series: SiS 315/H/PRO, 55x, (M)65x, 740, (M)661(F/M)X, (M)741(GX)
 * SiS 330 series: SiS 330 ("Xabre"), (M)760

Kernel Command Line Options
The kernel will only use the framebuffer if it is specifically told to do so. The required kernel command line option here is video= followed by the desired driver, a set of options, resolution, color depth and refresh rate.

uvesafb
Add to the kernel line of your, substituting the options to your liking, video=uvesafb:mtrr:3,ywrap,1024x768-24@60 You can also create an entry disabling uvesafb using the following, video=uvesafb:off One reason for disabling UVesaFB, is to avoid known conflicts when using the binary NVidia driver with hibernate/suspend feature.

A uvesafb example is shown below, but keep in mind that how the kernel is told to use the framebuffer differs from driver to driver.

Here we told the kernel to use the uvesafb driver with the ywrap and mtrr:3 options, set the resolution to 1024x768 with a color depth of 32 bits and a refresh rate of 70Hz.

vesafb
If you use the vesafb driver you will need to omit the resolution, color depth and refresh rate from the video= and follow with a vga= parameter. The vga= takes a decimal value (with no preceding 0x), hex value (with preceding 0x), or ask. Setting vga=ask is a good idea if you are unsure what to use, as the kernel will stop and ask you for the desired resolution and color depth. The displayed mode numbers are in HEX format - use the preceding 0x when updating your grub.conf with the new video mode. The Linux video mode numbers can be found here, but you should be aware that these number might not work on your particular hardware. A better way to see the modes you can set is to run:

So a vesafb example would be, video=vesafb:mtrr:3,ywrap vga=792 which would be equivalent to a uvesafb of: video=uvesafb:mtrr:3,ywrap,1024x768-24@60 To create a profile for disabling framebuffer, use either vga=normal or vga=nofb, or just omit vga= entirely.

sisfb
The video= parameter differs from other drivers.

The uvesafb driver entry, video=uvesafb:ypan,mtrr:3,1024x768-32@70 would, using sisfb be, video=sisfb:mode:1024x768x32,rate:70,mem:4096 Make sure you set the memory size of your card in KiB using the mem: option.

MTRR
The mtrr option defaults to mtrr:0, meaning that MTRR will be disabled — equivalent to the nomtrr option. The safest option is probably to use mtrr:1 and the most optimal option is most likely mtrr:3. The values represent: 0 - Disabled (equivalent to nomtrr) (default) 1 - Uncacheable 2 - Write-back 3 - Write-combining 4 - Write-through Review the kernel documentation for more information.

ypan, ywrap and redraw
The ypan, ywrap and redraw are scrolling options. They set the way the kernel will handle the scrolling and panning of the framebuffer. If none of these are specified, the redraw option will be used, this is the safest but slowest option. Most modern hardware can handle ywrap, so this is most likely the option you want to use. If that fails you could try ypan, expect flickering using this though.

To clarify, a complete kernel command line in /boot/grub/grub.conf, using the uvesafb driver, with the mtrr:3 and ywrap options using a resolution of 1600x1200, a color depth of 32 bits and a refresh rate of 70 Hz would be:

Review the Kernel Documentation for more information.