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+Console Display Issues - Potential Causes in archsetup
+======================================================
+Date: 2026-01-20
+Source: archzfs testing on ratio - console not showing after install
+
+SUMMARY
+-------
+After running install-archzfs and archsetup on ratio, the console stopped
+displaying. The system boots but shows no console output. These are the
+suspected culprits in archsetup.
+
+SUSPECTED ISSUES
+----------------
+
+1. Console Font Configuration (boot_ux, lines 1574-1579)
+
+   File: archsetup
+   Lines: 1574-1579
+
+   Code:
+     if grep -q "^FONT=" /etc/vconsole.conf 2>/dev/null; then
+         sed -i 's/^FONT=.*/FONT=ter-132n/' /etc/vconsole.conf
+     else
+         echo "FONT=ter-132n" >> /etc/vconsole.conf
+     fi
+
+   Problem: Sets console font to ter-132n (Terminus 32pt). If the font
+   is missing, corrupted, or incompatible with the framebuffer, the
+   console may fail to display anything.
+
+   Fix: Verify terminus-font package is installed and font exists before
+   setting. Add fallback handling.
+
+2. mkinitcpio Hook Change (boot_ux, lines 1581-1583)
+
+   File: archsetup
+   Lines: 1581-1583
+
+   Code:
+     sed -i '/^HOOKS=/ s/\budev\b/systemd/' /etc/mkinitcpio.conf
+     mkinitcpio -P
+
+   Problem: Changes mkinitcpio from 'udev' to 'systemd' hook and
+   regenerates ALL initramfs images. This is a significant change that
+   affects early boot. If the systemd hook isn't properly configured
+   or conflicts with other hooks, boot may fail or console may not
+   initialize properly.
+
+   Fix: Ensure all required systemd-related hooks are present. Consider
+   whether this change is necessary or could be made optional.
+
+3. GRUB Quiet Boot Settings (boot_ux, line 1624)
+
+   File: archsetup
+   Line: 1624
+
+   Code:
+     sed -i "s/.*GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=.*/GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=\"rw loglevel=2 rd.systemd.show_status=auto rd.udev.log_level=2 nvme.noacpi=1 mem_sleep_default=deep nowatchdog quiet splash\"/g" /etc/default/grub
+
+   Problem: Adds 'quiet splash' and sets loglevel=2, which suppresses
+   most boot messages. If something goes wrong during boot, you won't
+   see any output. The 'splash' option may also interfere with console.
+
+   Fix: Consider removing 'splash' or making quiet boot optional.
+   For debugging, temporarily remove 'quiet splash' from GRUB.
+
+4. Kernel Message Suppression (boot_ux, lines 1571-1572)
+
+   File: archsetup
+   Lines: 1571-1572
+
+   Code:
+     echo "kernel.printk = 3 3 3 3" >/etc/sysctl.d/20-quiet-printk.conf
+
+   Problem: Suppresses kernel messages to console. Combined with other
+   quiet settings, this could hide important boot information.
+
+   Fix: For debugging, remove or adjust this setting.
+
+5. Xorg VT Switching Disabled (xorg, lines 1102-1107)
+
+   File: archsetup
+   Lines: 1102-1107
+
+   Code:
+     cat << EOF > /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/00-no-vt-or-zap.conf
+         Section "ServerFlags"
+             Option "DontVTSwitch" "True"
+             Option "DontZap"      "True"
+     EndSection
+     EOF
+
+   Problem: Disables VT switching when X is running. If X starts
+   automatically, you cannot switch to a text console with Ctrl+Alt+F2.
+   This is a security feature but makes debugging harder.
+
+   Note: This only affects post-X boot, not early console display.
+
+DEBUGGING STEPS
+---------------
+1. Boot with 'nomodeset' kernel parameter to rule out GPU/framebuffer issues
+2. Remove 'quiet splash' from GRUB temporarily
+3. Check if ter-132n font exists: ls /usr/share/kbd/consolefonts/ter-*
+4. Review mkinitcpio.conf HOOKS line for conflicts
+5. Check journalctl -b for boot errors
+
+RECOMMENDED CHANGES
+-------------------
+- Make quiet boot optional or add a debug boot menu entry
+- Verify font exists before setting in vconsole.conf
+- Document the udev->systemd hook change and its implications
+- Consider adding a recovery boot option that skips quiet settings