i hadnt read it, but i have now.
lm_sensors worked perfectly from kernel 2.6.0 to 2.6.9
but recently, in 2.6.10 the kernel config option
had disapeard.
the page sayus that singce kernel 2.6, lm_sensors doesnt need this kernel option, but dissableing it stops lm_sensors from reporting anything other than the it86 chip name.