Older version of EMAC linux and initializing graphics

sholin

I'm using an older version of EMAC linux (7+ years at least) that has been kind of inherited and cannot be updated. The device being used now has an hdmi port that works fine with hotplug (it mirrors the main screen) but runs into an issue when it is plugged in during or before start up. Anytime before the graphics are initialized results in distorted screens.
This is a new area of development for me and while I can build the kernel now, I'm unsure of a method to fix this graphic issue. Is there a way to delay the initialization of the hdmi port outside of code? Perhaps in configurations?