Bug#565160: Linux console garbled after experimental grub-pc boot

[Robert Millan]

On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 08:44:27AM -0600, Jonathan Nieder wrote:
> 
> All this seems to suggest there are three things going on:

That's four things ;-)

>  - grub leaves the GPU in a graphical mode

Correct.  Although it needs to be more careful not to do this unless it
is supported (unfortunately Linux boot protocol doesn't provide this
information in a parseable header like Multiboot does).

>  - vesafb can’t use it or switch out of it

vesafb should be able to use it.  If it can't, it's definitely a bug (not
sure where, maybe in GRUB or maybe in Linux).

>  - various KMS drivers _can_ switch out of it, though

If they can't, it's an internal conflict between Linux components, but
this seems to be getting better on their side.

>  - without a framebuffer driver, Linux can’t switch out of it.

Correct.  That's why we need to be more careful.

Please test the patch I attached in previous mail.

Thanks!

-- 
Robert Millan

  "Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Gandhi