Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/30/intel_core_duo_usb_bug/
Intel may be off the hook as the source of a bug observed by reviews that significantly reduces the battery life of Core Duo-based notebooks - apparently it's all Microsoft's fault. Or is it?
The glitch was first noted (http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/01/16/will_core_duo_notebooks_trade_battery_life_for_quicker_response/) by Tom's Hardware Guide last week. The site identified a persistent power drain whenever USB 2.0 devices are connected.
A bug in Intel's processor or chipset? Not so, said Intel representatives cited (http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/01/28/toms_hardware_uncovers_power_drain_issue/) by TG Daily. It's a fault in Windows XP Service Pack 2's Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) driver - a problem allegedly documented in Microsoft's Knowledge Base in July 2005, but still unfixed.
But here's the thing. TG Daily tried to replicate the problem with a previous-generation Centrino notebook and failed. If the glitch is indeed a problem with ACPI, it should have appeared in the older machine. That it didn't suggesting the real issue may lie somewhere between ACPI and Intel's 945PM chipset.
Intel told the site it has asked Microsoft to fix the problem, and that it's doing work of its own to nail down a solution. ®
Core 2 Duo: Intel's insecurity blanket (28 June 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/06/28/core_2_duo_errata/
MS patches Win XP Core Duo battery drain bug (18 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/18/ms_patches_win_xp_core_duo/
Intel to sample Core Duo core update this month (6 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/06/intel_updates_core_duo_core/
Microsoft testing 'Core Duo power drain bug' fix (15 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/15/ms_core_duo_power_drain_fix/
Intel moves mobile 'Merom' back to Q4 (9 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/09/intel_mobile_roadmap_feb_06/
'Santa Rosa' Centrino systems due March 2007 (8 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/08/intel_santa_rosa_due_march_07/
Ergo preps pink PC for breast cancer charity (6 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/06/ergo_pink_pc/
Sony to ship dual-GPU, dual-core Vaio mid-March (2 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/02/sony_readies_vaio_sz_series/
Intel to add Enhanced SpeedStep to 65nm desktop chips (1 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/01/intel_upgrades_presler_core/
Intel Core Duo: no balls, just bumps, says analyst (27 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/27/chipworks_presler_analysis/
Intel ships 1m 65nm dual-core chips (25 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/25/intel_ships_1m_65nm_dualies/
Intel Macs only one fourth, not four times faster - report (23 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/23/intel_macs_25pc_faster/
Dell offers dual-core desktop replacement rig (18 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/18/dell_inspiron_9400/
Intel stuns market with Q4 sales miss (18 January 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/18/intel_q4_05/
Intel Core Duo T2700 to bring VT to Centrino? (16 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/16/intel_core_duo_vt/
Intel readies 65nm 'Yonah'-based Celeron M 4xx series (16 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/16/intel_mobile_roadmap_q1_06/
Intel Macs stay at non-Intel prices (10 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/10/apple_macs_intel_price/
Intel confirms 'Core' branding (3 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/03/intel_unveils_new_cpu_branding/