Not now, after performing this most recent fresh install it did work and then after running the first software update , after running sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade, clicking on the update shield, I chose to include the upgraded grub config files and it reverted back to the small fonts and won't change. So the original grub config file is the one that worked.
and run 'sudo update-grub' ?
Yes it was, doesn't work now, other two disros on this hard disc are also set the same except they have the the # removed.
I did change it, the default had 640x480.
But you haven't uncommented it by removing the "'#" .. so it won't be acted upon.
Aha! Well now I know, it only took me two and a half years to learn something. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Thank you PCNetSpec, that's all it needed. Until the next time.
So just for kicks I reinstalled P 8 respin and this time it worked. That was yesterday and today I'm still good. We'll see how long this lasts. A replacement hdd is on it's way, no ssd though.