---
name: "vesa"
section: "4x"
platform: "linux"
package: "xserver-xfree86"
version: "4.3.0.dfsg.1-14sarge7"
release: "Debian 3.1 (Sarge)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/vesa/4x"
---

# vesa(4x)

Generic VESA video driver

## NAME

vesa - Generic VESA video driver

## SYNOPSIS

```
Section "Device"
  Identifier "devname"
  Driver "vesa"
  ...
EndSection
```

## DESCRIPTION

**vesa** is an XFree86 driver for generic VESA video cards.  It can drive most VESA-compatible video cards, but only makes use of the basic standard VESA core that is common to these cards.  The driver supports depths 8, 15 16 and 24.

## SUPPORTED HARDWARE

The **vesa** driver supports most VESA-compatible video cards.  There are some known exceptions, and those should be listed here.

## CONFIGURATION DETAILS

Please refer to [XF86Config-4(5x)](/XF86Config-4/5x.md) for general configuration details.  This section only covers configuration details specific to this driver.

The driver auto-detects the presence of VESA-compatible hardware.  The **ChipSet** name may optionally be specified in the config file **"Device"** section, and will override the auto-detection:

"vesa"

The following driver **Options** are supported:

- **Option "ShadowFB" "***boolean***"**

  Enable or disable use of the shadow framebuffer layer.  Default: on.

  This option is recommended for performance reasons.

## SEE ALSO

XFree86(1), [XF86Config-4(5x)](/XF86Config-4/5x.md), xf86cfg(1), xf86config(1), [Xserver(1)](/Xserver/1.md), [X(7x)](/X/7x.md)

## AUTHORS

Authors include: Paulo César Pereira de Andrade.