[coreboot] VGA and Graphics

[Todd Weaver]

On 04/01/2017 05:24 AM, Nico Huber wrote:
> On 01.04.2017 00:49, Todd Weaver wrote:
>> On a related topic, but not related to vbios gfx; I met with
>> Matthew Garrett while at LibrePlanet, and he mentioned that we needn't
>> worry about graphics within coreboot or the vbios, but could just
>> deliver Linux kernel and use the graphics stack from there.
>>
>> Can we bypass the vbios/graphics within
>> coreboot and deliver the Linux kernel payload and use its graphics?
> Yes, that would work. (In the case of Intel hardware) the Linux grap-
> phics driver does a superset of the things the VBIOS does. Actually,
> its default case is to ignore what the VBIOS did and start all over
> again. (One technical detail: You'd still have to put the Video BIOS
> Table, VBT into coreboot.)

OK, we will research that.

> However, you'd have no display before the kernel boots. That's a nit,
> if you use the Linux kernel as payload but that comes with other impli-
> cations. Currently, that would kill what I'd call the "legacy boot
> experience". Without a payload like SeaBIOS, you can't just plug a USB
> drive with a random OS on it and expect the system to boot from it.

Yes, skipping "legacy boot experience" while a benefit (to avoid vbios)
has the disadvantage of user control of replacing an OS with ease. So
the next question is can we offer something similar after linux kernel
payload? such as even a console based menu of boot options on esc? There
may be existing projects I am unaware of that already look at linux
kernel driven usb boot options.

> Again, feel free to throw things at the coreboot mailing list.

I am sending this there now. Thanks for your help!

Todd.

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