I am frequently using the console instead of X.

I have been using both kernel 2.4.x and 2.6.x though the same problem
appears rather often i.e. the bottom 1/3 of the console looks strange and I
can only use 2/3 of the console for editing and command line etc. It does
not help to type e.g. "clear" or "tput clear"...

Is this a well known problem? I am not using any frame buffer features.

Thanks!