Here's my question: How do I update my display Driver so I can view my desktop in a normal resolution? (Like 1280x1024x32bpp) I went to the Nvidia Website, and downloaded an RPM for the Gf4 and Mandrake 8.2. and I ran what I thought was an installer, but it hasn't told me to reboot or anything like that... I am a n00b, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Linux has never told me to reboot. It's an old Winbloze habbit that dies hard.

But that doesn't help me... how do I get this package to install so I can actually read what's on my screen?

ok, firstly to update your video driver read the instructions on nvidia website, you should do it in the text mode, open an XTerm become root with
su
enter password for root account, and then type

telinit 3

you won't see GUI after this point you'll have to log in as root
enter password
cd /where/the/downloaded/driver/is
rpm -ihv NVIDIA_kernel-blah.blah.rpm NVIDIA_GLX-blah.blah.rpm
It will install drivers, then edit the /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file as prescribed in the instructions on nvidia website, save changes, logout of root with exit, log back in as a regular user and type
startx
If everything is ok you'll see NVIDIA logo and then your default WM (GUI), now it's time to adjust resolutions and such, use XDrake for it, either from comand line as root type
xdrake
or if you are in KDE it should be under K->Configuration I believe, can't tell for sure I am at work and I haven't use KDE for months

All right... I think I may be able to do this. I tried installing the RPM from within Gnome adn that didn't work... I didn't read all 40+ pages of the instructions on the Nvidia site, that's just Crazy to think you need 40 pages to install a video driver.... But I will look it over again and see what I need to do.

It's not crazy to read lots to get something to work properly. It's quite normal.

In short, you need to:
Install the NVIDIA_kernel files
Install the NVIDIA_GLX files
Edit your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file
Add a couple of lines, maybe remove a couple of lines.
Run X to see if all has been setup nicely.

You shouldn't need to read the whole manual, only the sections relevant to your setup. If you follow the instructions, you shouldn't need the help/questions bit at the end.

ok, heres my problem:

I got the drivers and installed the rpms, but for some reason during the install I wasnt asked which XFree86 I want, so it installed 3.3.6. I read that the drivers only work with 4.1.0 and above.

If I do rpm -qa | grep -i xf

I see that the XFree 4.2.0 is installed, but when i do startx, I can see that it is trying to load the 3.3.6. Also, it is easy to verify this since 4.2.0 should use the XFConfig-4 file, and when i rename the old XFConfig, startx says cannot find config file.

So in other words how do I change (or what do I change) to ensure that startx fires up 4.2.0 instead of the old one?

nvidia has a pretty detailed installation note...down to it...
1) download the source (or binary, but I prefer the source)
2) rebuild/install
3) make modification to XF86Config...most noticbly, in module, nv-->nivida, and disable OpenGLib....

I think that's it...worked for me...

ummm I am not flaming here but did you actually read my post... Installing the driver is not my prob, its enabling the 4.2.0 server.