CPU freq scaler choosing the lowest freq

[Luis R. Rodriguez]

I've noticed that when I use the distribution kernel my CPUs gets
downscaled to 800 MHz. I have Intel (R) Core (TM)2 1.8 GHz, so I get
two CPU entries and both are pegged at 800 MHz. At first I thought
this was when I was at home without AC power but today I am at work
and plugged in to AC power and its lingering on 800 MHz. *Sometimes*
this goes up but most of the time it stays at 800 MHz. Right now I'm
compiling compat-wireless and this alone is a difficult feat to
accomplish it seems at 800 MHz.

I have the same exact CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_* config options on the
config-2.6.31-10-generic (Ubuntu kernel) and my config-2.6.31-wl
(wireless-testing) but when I use my wireless-testing kernel I have no
issues. Here is my config options for both kernels:

CONFIG_CPU_FREQ=y
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_TABLE=y
# CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_DEBUG is not set
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_STAT=y
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_STAT_DETAILS=y
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_DEFAULT_GOV_PERFORMANCE=y
# CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_DEFAULT_GOV_POWERSAVE is not set
# CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_DEFAULT_GOV_USERSPACE is not set
# CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_DEFAULT_GOV_ONDEMAND is not set
# CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_DEFAULT_GOV_CONSERVATIVE is not set
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_GOV_PERFORMANCE=y
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_GOV_POWERSAVE=y
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_GOV_USERSPACE=y
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_GOV_ONDEMAND=y
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_GOV_CONSERVATIVE=y

I figured there may be some userspace options to easily disable this
but I see nothing through the GNOME admin/preferences panel.

Then using the console:

sudo cpufreq-selector -g performance

Seems to let it move back to 1.800 MHZ but sometimes I see it go down
to 800 MHz bit at least its then usable. I'm curious if anyone is
aware why 2.6.31-10-generic seems to stink at this even though
CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_DEFAULT_GOV_PERFORMANCE is selected. Any ideas?

  Luis