diff --git a/hosts/server/hardware-configuration.nix b/hosts/server/hardware-configuration.nix
index f68833e..ab6728d 100755
--- a/hosts/server/hardware-configuration.nix
+++ b/hosts/server/hardware-configuration.nix
@@ -8,13 +8,14 @@
 
   boot = {
     initrd.availableKernelModules = [ "xhci_pci" "usbhid" "usb_storage" ];
-	initrd.kernelModules = [ ];
-    kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_hardened;
-    # for some god awful reason, our HDMI output doesn't show
-    # init messages??? theres a workaround here though
+    # fun fact: this line for some god awful reason
+    # makes it so we can FINALLY see initrd messages
+    # when starting up over video
     #
     # see: https://nixos.wiki/wiki/NixOS_on_ARM/Raspberry_Pi#Early_boot_messages
-	kernelModules = [ "vc4" "bcm2835_dma" "i2c_bcm2835" ];
+	initrd.kernelModules = [ "vc4" "bcm2835_dma" "i2c_bcm2835" ];
+    kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_hardened;
+	kernelModules = [ ];
     loader = {
       # zigglebop 👽
       grub.enable = lib.mkForce false;