This is a kernel bug <https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42876> which says that all 3.2 and 3.3 kernels will crash as soon as the nouveau kernel module is loaded. I don't know if other NVIDIA cards of the NVC0 generation are affected as well.
The good news, not noted in the upstream bug: the issue is resolved in 3.4rc2 at the latest. Verified on Fedora 16. Ubuntu 12.04 is already in the kernel freeze phase prior to the release, so the OOTB experience will likely remain broken for all users with a GTX 550 Ti. The workaround is to prevent nouveau from loading and to use vesa instead. ** Bug watch added: Linux Kernel Bug Tracker #42876 http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42876 -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu-X, which is subscribed to xserver-xorg-video-nouveau in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/969121 Title: Cannot boot Live CD with Nvidia GTX 550Ti To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/linux-kernel-headers/+bug/969121/+subscriptions _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-x-swat Post to : ubuntu-x-swat@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-x-swat More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp