For anyone else facing this issue with the current etch 2.6.18 kernel: the patch suggested in bug 416475 worked for me. I just edited p4-clockmod.c and rebuilt it, and now powernowd can step down to lower CPU speeds once again. My laptop is now running like it used to with sarge (or better). -- http://www.doorstop.net/ -- One nation, indivisible, with equality, liberty, and justice for all.