Microsoft’s USB2.0 drivers is the problem for Core Duo

Microsoft has now admitted that there is a a problem with the USB drivers that causes the power consumption to stay high. It is the USB 2.0 drivers for Windows XP Service Pack 2 that stops computers from entering power saving modes. Several tests done by THG and Anandtech has shown that laptops with a USB unit connected for some reason consumes a lot more power and after that Intel has denied that this would be a hardware error the eyes turned to an old error Microsoft hadn’t fixed. Apparently it posted information about this in July 2005, but kept it to its partners and PC builders. The USB drivers simply inhibits the computer to enter power saving mode which in turn cause an unnecessary drain on the battery. This wasn’t as much of problem as it is today with especially Core Duo.

Source: CNET