Comment 86 for bug 431812

Hi

Sorry if I post on the wrong thread, but my problem is somehow similar and I cannot find a more appropriate place.

It is related to Intel graphic board and screen resolution (i915 driver).
I'm using a console mode Server installation (no X graphics) with 2.6.31-19 kernel.

The problem lays in drm - EDID - framebuffer chain settings.
If EDID data cannot be read or is not available (as under a KVM switch), the drm sets a "random" mode for DAC and only registers THAT mode in /dev...
This leads to some strange behavior when some app's expect or request a different video mode (screen resolution).
Now, how could anyone force a video mode if automatic detection is not possible or fails? Usually, monitor rates and video card capabilities are known, so in many cases, a fixed setting would be more comfortable.

I am happy enough with the 640 x 480 console, but I have a large monitor that I do not use as I could (and like). More than this: if I boot with the KVM switched to the Ubuntu box (EDID data read from monitor), resolution is set to the maximum supported (1280 x 1024) which is also extreme.
Using GRUB2, I have tested many settings for various GRUB variables but without success.
It would be nice to have a parameter or something in the kernel module (drm, i915 or whatever) to be able to manually override automatic settings. Maybe this could help avoiding problems like mine or other ones posted on this thread.

All the best