CrunchBang Linux

hello, this is my first post here, but i've been lurking for a couple of weeks.  I'm fairly new to Linux, and very new to crunchbang, and I'm in a bit of a pickle.

I followed these instructions to install the drivers for my Nvidia FX 5200 and got it to work, but then buggered my partition and had to reinstall crunchbang.  The subsequent times I tried to install the driver (fresh #! install each time) it either cuts VGA output when it gets to the login screen (I assume this is when X starts?) or it reverts do a driver that only goes up to 600x800.  I'm guessing this means it's not using the nvidia driver.

I tried the install method with the  173.14.25 and  173.14.28 versions of the driver from the nvidia website with the same result.  I've also tried investigating my xorg.conf by generating it with X -configure and then adding nvidia as the driver AND by using the nvidia generator.  Neither seems to fix my problem. 

Lastly, I thought I should mention that I'm using the liqorix/zen kernel.  I got a compile error from the nvidia installer with the default statler kernel, and tried this one on a whim.

I know driver installation is not an exact science, but any help would be appreciated.

PS
if this belongs in its own help request thread, I'll delete and repost
-rafghan

edit: typos and clarity