JT, you shouldnt need to recompile the kernel to have that nvidia card work....
DL files from
hereTo install from tar file, unpack each file:
$ tar xvzf NVIDIA_kernel.tar.gz
$ tar xvzf NVIDIA_GLX.tar.gz
cd into the NVIDIA_kernel directory. Type 'make install'. This will
compile the kernel interface to the NVdriver, link the NVdriver, copy
the NVdriver into place, and attempt to insert the NVdriver into the
running kernel:
$ cd NVIDIA_kernel
$ make install
Next, move into the NVIDIA_GLX directory. Type 'make install' -- this
will copy the needed OpenGL and XFree86 files into place:
$ cd ../NVIDIA_GLX
$ make install
Note that the \"make install\" for each package will remove any previously
installed NVIDIA drivers.
........
If you already have an XF86Config file working with a different driver
(such as the 'nv' or 'vesa' driver), then all you need to do is find
the relevant Device section and replace the line:
Driver \"nv\"
(or Driver \"vesa\")
with
Driver \"nvidia\"
In the Module section, make sure you have:
Load \"glx\"
You should also remove the following lines:
Load \"dri\"
Load \"GLcore\"
http://download.nvidia.com/XFree86_40/1.0-3123/README