The linear stability of low-frequency drift-compressional and drift-mirror modes is examined in two-component (hot and cold) plasmas. A full-&bgr; dispersion relation is derived that retains finite temperature effects for the cold component. The effect of a nonzero ratio Tc/Th is examined, and the critical value of this parameter (that produces stabilization of the modes) is determined. The main result of this work shows that very small temperature ratios (Tc/Th less than 1%, in some cases) are sufficient to completely stabilize these modes at certain wave numbers.