Increase The Default Linux Console (Terminal) Resolution

If you’re one of the few elite that refuse to run Linux with a window manager, you might have the urge to resize the bloated resolution of the console/terminal sessions. Fortunately, this is a very easy process, but requires restarting, unless there’s some elite command I’m unaware of.

Alright, assuming you’re using the GRUB boot loader, open the menu config file in your favorite text editor.

# vi /boot/grub/menu.lst

Scroll down toward the bottom and look for the line that reads:

## ## End Default Options ##

You’ll see something like this below the line above. This is where your GRUB boot loader menu is configured.

title           Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-5-686

root            (hd0,1)

kernel          /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-5-686 root=/dev/hda2 ro

initrd          /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-5-686

savedefault

At the end of the the third line labeled kernel, add vga=791 to increase the resolution to 1024 x 768. Here’s how the modified menu option should look.

title           Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-5-686

root            (hd0,1)

kernel          /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-5-686 root=/dev/hda2 ro vga=791

initrd          /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-5-686

savedefault

Save the changes, and restart.

# shutdown -r -t 0 now

At the boot menu, select the option you’ve modified (typically the first available choice), and enjoy the new resolution. If you’re unsatisfied with 791, there are a number of alternatives.