Re: [PATCH] Video mode fixes in linux loader

[Pavel Roskin <proski@gnu.org>]

On Mon, 2009-04-13 at 16:16 +0200, Robert Millan wrote:
> Hi Pavel,
> 
> On Mon, Apr 06, 2009 at 11:34:03AM -0400, Pavel Roskin wrote:
> > Hello!
> > 
> > This is an attempt to fix all issues with the video mode handling in the
> > new Linux loader.
> 
> Please, in general, when you modify code that has been actively worked on
> by someone, try to get that person involved.

I tried, but probably not hard enough.  Sorry.

> > The default VGA mode is now GRUB_LINUX_VID_MODE_NORMAL, not the mode of
> > the kernel we tried to load before.
> 
> Ok, BUT if we're already in vesa mode, and we know it works (since we're using
> it), there's no point in wasting time only to get a worse mode.

Maybe we should introduce another macro, e.g.
GRUB_LINUX_VID_MODE_CURRENT, recognize it in the loader and default to
it.

> We should just make sure subsequent calls to "linux" command override the
> previous one.

Yes, failed loading of one kernel should not affect loading of another
kernel.  That was the most annoying bug, and I hope it's fixed now.

> > Finally, "vga=ask" is now recognized.
> 
> With the new loader, Linux' 16-bit entry code is no longer responsible for
> setting vesa modes, therefore vga=ask can't work.  There's no point in
> recognizing it (except to warn the user).

I agree.  Generally, "vga=random_string" causes an error now.  Perhaps
any unrecognized values of "vga" should cause a warning, not an error.

-- 
Regards,
Pavel Roskin