Comment 7 for bug 153204

I have experienced this issue using Firefox3b5, Epiphany 2.22.1.1, EOG 2.22.1, and every other application that can run in fullscreen display mode, with the lone exception of IrfanView (which runs under WINE); running under Hardy Heron 8.04 x86_64, using an AMD 64 X2 with the nVidia GeForce 6150 IGP. It happened every time an object, such as a tooltip, context (right-click) menu, or dropdown menu, appeared on the screen while in fullscreen mode. Imagine how annoying browsing the threads in the Ubuntu Forums in fullscreen mode could be with those tooltips popping up and the screen flickering and jumping.

The flicker looks as described above and ranges from a minimal flicker to a bunch of 'garbage' that looks like the display momentarily lost horizontal sync. Those old enough to remember CRT TVs with horizontal hold controls will know what that looks like.

I don't know if this would be classified as a fix or a workaround. But here's how I got fullscreen mode to behave:

Install the Compiz Fusion Icon from within Synaptic and ran it (Applications > System Tools > Compiz Fusion Icon). The icon will appear in the System Tray area.

Right-click on the CF Icon, select Settings Manager, and click General Options. In the General tab, uncheck Unredirect Fullscreen Windows, click Back, and click Close. On my system the problem was fixed immediately. But I restarted the x-server just in case it was a fluke (this was the case when something else I tried seemed to work....but it hadn't).

This worked for me. If this works for others and has no ill effect on most major and most used apps, perhaps this could be the default setting until the reason for the flicker is discovered and fixed?