Comment 98 for bug 145112

according to Sam Tygier the options to bypass this bug are:-

disable a core (kernel boot up parameter)
downgrade drivers (to Feisty)
switch to nv (unrestricted open source driver, but with no 3D acceleration)

I have just switched to the nv driver. But its a nasty situation, its been years since I have 3D or graphics issues, I just hope it does not put too many off using Ubuntu. Maybe its just too soon to have a 3D desktop as the default.