OK Guys, thanks for hanging in there with me. Here is what I have been up to and where I am now:
Tried the following:
1. Downloaded and installed the latest driver from nvidia by
a. editing the XF86Config-4 file setting nvidia to vesa. This got me to at least a desktop although the high res graphics were hosed, at least I could see something
b. Went to Nvidia and downloaded the package for the latest driver
c. Followed the instructions and it appeared to successfully load the new nvidia driver
d. Went back and reeditied the XF86Config-4 file and added back the "nvidia" option
e. Rebooted and it got me some different results, flashing the screen three times before coming back to the blue load sequence and going then into text signon.
f. I performed - service dm stop
g. Then did XFdarke and this time I got something!!!!!!!! a screen with video options I could try. Yea
h BUT every option tried I get:
An error occurred:
(EE) NVIDIA(0) Failed to Initialize the NVIDIA kernal module!
(EE) NVIDIA(0) *** Aborting ***
This occurs on EVERY option, various monitor selections, etc. Any guesses where to go from here. At least I'm getting XFDrake to run.