Linux in a Nutshell, 6th Edition

Name

vidmode

Synopsis

vidmode [option] image [mode [offset]]

System administration command. Set the video mode for a kernel image. If no arguments are specified, print current mode value. mode is a 1-byte value located at offset 506 in a kernel image. You may change the mode by specifying the kernel image to change, the new mode, and the byte offset at which to place the new information (the default is 506). Note that rdev -v is a synonym for vidmode. If LILO is used, vidmode is not needed. The video mode can be set from the LILO prompt during a boot.

Modes

−3

Prompt

−2

Extended VGA

−1

Normal VGA

0

Same as entering 0 at the prompt

1

Same as entering 1 at the prompt

2

Same as entering 2 at the prompt

3

Same as entering 3 at the prompt

n

Same as entering n at the prompt

Option

-o offset

Same as specifying an offset as an argument.