uvesafb::FAQ

Is it possible to use resolution 1234x765, which is the native resolution of my laptop/LCD panel?

It all depends on whether your Video BIOS supports the resolution. After you start your system with a kernel compiled with uvesafb, check if your favourite resolution is in the list in /sys/class/graphics/fb0/modes. If it is, then the answer to your question is 'yes' -- you should be able to use this resolution with uvesafb. If it's not, then I'm sorry but there is no way of making it work with uvesafb.

.. but it works in X? Why won't it work in uvesafb

uvesafb is a generic driver which relies on the VBE interface for all video functions. X usually uses its own, graphics card-specific drivers which provide greater flexibility and more options.

855resolution and uvesafb

If your video board is based on an Intel 855/865/915 chipset, you can use 855resolution to patch the Video BIOS so that it can support additional video modes. uvesafb can use these modes, provided it is loaded after the BIOS has been patched. You'll probably want to compile uvesafb as a module and run 855resolution prior to loading it and switching the console to a video mode.

How does one turn off the framebuffer from the kernel command line?

Use video=uvesafb:off. (This isn't a uvesafb-specific option, but people seem to be asking about it and I don't think it's documented anywhere. Note that this will not work for vesafb, where you simply have to remove the vga= option from the kernel command line in order to disable the driver.)