How to get the console in 128x30 (1024x480) on a Sony Picturebook PCG-C1VE (or PCG-C1Vx)
for the latest 2.4 linux kernel (2.4.34) - HERE IS A WORKING SOLUTION !



  The described process below works for Kernel 2.4.34 or at least higher than 2.4.17 :)
If you have questions contact me at nicolas_henry [(]At})] orange.fr

So here is the deal.

I have found on many many posts questions and people in despair to get their Linux console in 128x30 mode on their favorite toy, Sony Picture book PCG-C1VE

There are two patches available on the net, which I also copied on my site to make sure they do not disapear from the cyberspace :

PCG-C1 Console patch for kernel 2.4.17 - download it here !
PCG-C1 Console patch for kernel 2.4.26 - download it here !

- The one for kernel 2.4.17 works perfectly with the kernel 2.4.17, and has no stability or issue, neither in console, neither in X11 mode.
It does not however patch correctly higher kernel, because of changes in the Kernel Config structure, and in the atyfb kernel code.

- The one for kernel 2.4.26 applies correctly to the source (and config file) code of any kernel from 2.4.26 to latest 2.4.34, but does not work upon reboot and screw up the console screen and the X11 mode.

The solution is to use both patches, and then copy/paste the 2.4.17 aty_fb code into the 2.4.34 kernel. Here is the sucessful sequence :

get Kernel 2.4.17, patch it with 2.4.17 atyfb patch
wget http://www2.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.4/linux-2.4.17.tar.bz2

unzip,untar, rename directory "linux" into "linux-2.4.17" :
bunzip2 linux-2.4.17.tar.bz2
untar -xvf linux-2.4.17.tar
mv linux linux-2.4.17

run the patch command :
patch -p0 <patch-vaio-console-2.4.17.diff

get Kernel 2.4.34, patch it with 2.4.26 atyfb patch.

wget http://www2.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.4/linux-2.4.34.tar.bz2
unzip,untar, rename directory "linux-2.4.34" into "linux-2.4.26"
bunzip2 linux-2.4.34.tar.bz2
untar -xvf linux-2.4.34.tar
mv linux-2.4.34 linux-2.4.26

run the patch command :
patch -p0 <patch-vaio-console-2.4.26.diff

rename directory "linux-2.4.26" into "linux-2.4.34_patched"
mv linux-2.4.26 linux-2.4.34_patched

So you get the correct Config file for the kernel, which creates the option
"Console Drivers / Frame Buffer Support / ATI Mach64 display support / vaio C1VE 1024x480 LCD support"

- copy and overwrite the whole linux-2.4.17/drivers/video/atyfb files from 2.4.17
into 2.4.34 and voilà, you have a working 2.4.34 source kernel you can
happily compile.

- config the 2.4.34 kernel with the following activated :
Console Drivers /
    VGA Text console : YES
    Video Mode Selection : YES
    Frame Buffer Support : YES
            ATI Mach64 display support : YES
                Mach64 CT/VT/GT/LT support : YES
                vaio C1VE 1024x480 LCD support : YES
                Mach 64 generic  LCD Monitor support : YES

Compile, install, and please add into /etc/lilo.conf the following line :

vga=0x301

which would call the first atyfb/vesa mode (orginally 640x480) that the patch has replaced with ... 1024x480

ENJOY !		  

Of course the most elegant way would be to fix up the clock mode or the
path 2.4.26 or understand what is wrong here, but I have limited time
for it and the above DOES work so...
    
Ok ... now return to the linux page