We're running GF 1.7.2 on a WP network where the plugin is NOT network activated. We're also running New Relic (a server monitoring tool).
If a site activates GF, New Relic reports a MySQL error as indicated below. However, the rg_lead_meta table is created, and a look at the DB shows it does exist. The error usually occurs just 1x after a site activates GF and never again for that site; GF functions normally. Hopefully, New Relic's stack trace will help you to track it down.
Table '[db].[prefix]_[siteid]_rg_lead_meta' doesn't exist
in mysql_query called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-content/db.php (753)
in hyperdb::query called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-includes/wp-db.php (1518)
in wpdb::get_results called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-admin/includes/upgrade.php (1508)
… called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/
gravityforms.php (418)
… called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/
gravityforms.php (129)
in GFForms::init called at ? (?)
in call_user_func_array called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-includes/plugin.php (406)
in do_action called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-settings.php (306)
in require_once called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-config.php (106)
in require_once called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-load.php (29)
in require_once called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-admin/admin.php (30)
in require_once called at /srv/www/wordpress/wp-admin/plugins.php (10)