Same situation here.
http://postimage.org/image/c4szz7f2n/
- Linux Mint 12
- nVidia 9600GT
- binary driver v280.13
- normal graphics mode, not safemode
- animated character portrait OFF
Video options:
http://postimage.org/image/az3ucv6a9/
--
Slartibartfast / Exorcist