Can you determine whether this is a software or hardware problem (for instance, does it do this when you let the computer sit at the BIOS screen?) Firstly, I'd recommend that you press Break when your PC first turns on and then see if the screen sits still on battery power specifically (but you can use your AC adapter if you want.) When you've observed it and let it sit for a minute or so, you can press power. If it flickered while on the BIOS splash, Linux hasn't even loaded yet, and it's a hardware issue. If this only happens once the PC boots, then you know it's a software issue.
- If a hardware problem (it almost sounds like it might be), then you need to have your flat panel (screen) serviced. Or you can take the lid off, and put a new screen in.
- If not, and you're sure of it, it may be a conflict with the settings in /etc/X11/xorg.conf. If you do not have such a file, you can (with the distro you're running), find settings online that are tailored to your hardware, and paste it into the file. You can do this by:
1) Opening a shell and typing in sudo vi /etc/X11/xorg.conf, and then pasting the text will work, though nano will work, too.
2) Type gksu gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf and paste it (you might find the GUI easier if you don't like the shell)
Substitute gedit with a text editor you have installed (e.g. kate, mousepad, leafpad, etc.) if you need to.
Hope everything gets fixed.