Today I installed Ubuntu Server 24.04.2 LTS from the ubuntu-24.04.2-live-server-amd64.iso on a small PC that now sits under my desk.
The monitor is a Dell U2723QX (27″, 3840×2160).
After first boot the console characters were barely 1 mm high—fine for 30 cm viewing distance, not for normal use.
1. First sight
login: _
Each glyph was a tiny pixel cluster at 3840×2160.
I could not read the LUKS prompt without standing up.
2. Quick test with fbset
sudo apt update && sudo apt install fbset fbset -xres 2048 -yres 1536
Worked immediately; after reboot the kernel re-probed EDID and jumped back to 4 K.
Not persistent.
3. Reboot into GRUB
- Power-cycle, hold Shift.
- Press c for the GRUB command line.
grub> vbeinfo
Output (excerpt):
0x160 2048 x 1536 x 32 (hex 0x160 = dec 352)
This is the largest 4:3 VESA mode the Dell firmware advertises.
4. Apply the mode permanently
sudo vim /etc/default/grub
Changed:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash vga=352"
Save, then:
sudo update-grub sudo reboot
5. Result
- Console now starts at 2048×1536.
- Characters are ~4 mm tall—comfortable at arm’s length.
- Mode survives every kernel update; no extra packages required.
Done.
