[syslinux] best resolution detection

[Gene Cumm]

On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 11:55 AM, Shuduo Sang <sangshuduo at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 11:15 PM, H. Peter Anvin <hpa at zytor.com> wrote:
>> On 04/16/2013 11:45 PM, Shuduo Sang wrote:
>>>>
>>>> It is a bit hard, because even if the relevant BIOS calls are
>>>> implemented, most video BIOSes have a fixed list of largely archaic
>>>> resolutions.
>>>
>>> grub2 can use VESA BIOS extensions to get supported resolution list.
>>> Although there be possible mistake BIOS grub meet and make grub fallback.
>>> If syslinux has this feature we may reduce resolution switching and reduce
>>> screen flash or visual artifacts at last.
>>>
>>
>> I don't think you understood what I am saying.
>>
>> On a typical laptop, this is what VESA BIOS will tell you:
>>
>> "Welcome to VESA BIOS.  The native resolution is 1600x900.  Would you
>> like to set your screen resolution to 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, or
>> 1280x1024?"
>>
>> To be fair, there are some which are much better than that, but they are
>> the exception, not the rule.
>>
>>         -hpa
>>
>>
>
> Sorry if I misunderstand your point. Back to my question, is it
> possible to have a feature
> like grub's GRUB_GFXMODE=auto? Then we can use one universal USB disk
> on different
> system with different best resolution. And we also need to support
> background stretch/zoom
> etc like Gene mentioned.
>
> Thanks,
> Shuduo

If the VESA BIOS says "I want 1600x900 but I won't tell you how", what
do you choose?  1024x768, 1280x1024, or 640x480?

--
-Gene