README for powertop REQUIREMENTS You'll need to enable the following kernel options: CONFIG_NO_HZ CONFIG_HIGH_RES_TIMERS CONFIG_HPET_TIMER CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_GOV_ONDEMAND CONFIG_USB_SUSPEND CONFIG_SND_AC97_POWER_SAVE CONFIG_TIMER_STATS and to disable these: CONFIG_IRQBALANCE CONFIG_ACPI_DEBUG PRE-INSTALL POST-INSTALL RESOURCES http://www.lesswatts.org/projects/powertop/faq.php