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Description of problem: powernow-K8 doesn't load on MP systems, and power consumption thus becames (too) high. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): kernel 2.6.20-1.2952.fc6. Has been around since I changed mobo, before FC6 was released. How reproducible: Always at boot time. Steps to Reproduce: 1. Boot FC6 on my Asus M2N32 WS Pro mobo 2. See dmesg log "powernow-k8: MP Systems not supported by PSB BIOS structure" Actual results: CPU always runs at max speed, Error dialogs when starting Gnome UI. Expected results: powernow-K8 running, decreased CPU speed when applicable, decreased pwer consumption. Additional info: This is basically a bug in the Asus BIOS. However, it seems unlikely that it ever will be fixed, and we thus might be forced to live with it. Hw: Asus M2N32 WS pro CPU: : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+ BIOS: Asus firmware 1102 Possibly a dup to bug 185578, reported against RH4.
I'm also seeing this error ('powernow-k8: MP systems not supported by PSB BIOS structure') on every boot up of a Dell Inspiron 531s, Athlon 64 X2. I'm running RHEL5 at the moment. Would love to help test any fix. I really don't need to be running full out all the time. Waste of energy and it generates a lot of heat.
Found the solution in the BIOS (Dell Inspiron 531s). It's not in the power section, it's under Advanced / CPU Configuration / AMD Cool'n'Quiet Function. It ships in the disabled state, for some reason, but when enabled the powernow seems to load correctly.
I suppose this is assigned on kdnssd-avahi by mistake. Changing component to kernel.
This is almost certainly a BIOS bug.