# Re: \[RFC\] fbdev: allow multiple concurrent visible consoles

- From: Martin Decky \<hidden\>
- Date: 2011-08-11 10:57:21 
- List: linux-fbdev
- Page: https://ratatoskr.run/linux-fbdev/2011/08/13461838
- Thread: https://ratatoskr.run/linux-fbdev/2011/08/3749888/t.md

```text
Hello Florian,

> This patch allows having multiple visible consoles that receive
> display updates. For example one can have running "top" to monitor
> the system on fb0 and at the same time work on a shell on fb1.

I hate to report this, because I would really appreciate this feature, 
but your patch (applied against kernel 3.0) breaks my machine.

I have an x86-64 machine with a dual-GPU ATI Radeon HD 4850 X2 (which 
acts essentially as two discrete R700s) driven by the "radeon" KMS driver.

If I use the "fbcon=map:01" boot option to map the even-numbered VCs to 
the first GPU and the odd-numbered VCs to the second GPU, the kernel 
patched with your patch encounters some sort of soft-lockup when 
initializing the second GPU (i.e. creating the fb1) while booting. The 
is no panic or oops message and I can reset the machine by hitting 
ctrl+alt+del, but there is no further progress. I can provide further 
observations if you would like to.


Best regards

Martin Decky
```