Re: C4 non-strangeness [was: C4 strangeness [was Re: [PATCH] i386 No Idle HZ aka dynticks 051221]

[Pavel Machek <pavel@ucw.cz>]

On Út 27-12-05 16:33:30, Dominik Brodowski wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> On Tue, Dec 27, 2005 at 03:22:38PM +0100, Pavel Machek wrote:
> > So... I guess I found out what is going on.
> > 
> > When power is unplugged, X32 adds C4 state. When power is plugged, X32
> > removes C4 state (behaviour Ted seen). When I load ipw2200, this
> > behaviour stops, and I see everything up-to C4. Strange. I remember
> > ipw had some problems with C3 and C4, perhaps this is related?
> 
> Nothing strange at all. The C-States are exported by the BIOS to the OS
> using the _CST method/object/whatever. This can change on runtime. When the
> BIOS recognizes it is on battery power, the _CST contains the C4 state, if
> it is on AC power, the _CST doesn't contain it. The ACPI code follows what
> it is told by the BIOS, for it has no chance to know about this additional
> C-State if on AC power, and it wouldn't be wise to second-guess the BIOS.
> 
> Ipw does limit the max_cstate setting dynamically if it recognizes problems;
> however I haven't seen _any_ such things lately on my own system. Might be
> related to dyntick being _enabled_, though ;-)

This was without dynticks... But why C4 availability no longer changes
(between AC and battery power) with ipw2200 loaded? I'd understand
higher C states being unavailable...
								Pavel
-- 
Thanks, Sharp!