@Snap, I'm using the one pictured below, 355.11. I installed a couple of days ago after reading your post here about 'smxi'. I have only ever experienced issues with 'smxi' when using my own compiled Kernels. I've been Linux only here for about 5 years, though I've "dabbled" since '94. I've never seen a rootkit, malware, or virus in Linux. I know they exist, and that they are possible, but I've never worried about them. With Linux it is pretty simple to harden a system and never have to worry about things like that. I'm not stupid enough to believe I'm invulnerable, no one is, but I figure why would anyone want to hack me? I have no secrets on any of my computers, and never would have, just out of my own paranoia after working in the computer industry for about 30 years.
I really hate to mention this to you, but I'd sooner believe your having a hdd issue rather than that a specific attack has happened to your system. I'd probably already have that drive replaced!

VastOne is really particular about what goes into the ISO's, and with guys like PackRat, yourself, and others that are always driving VSIDO fast and hard, one of us would have seen a rootkit by now if it was a possibility. The 'smxi' guys are pretty straight up guys (gals?) and are very proud of their work, so I'd have to say your pretty safe with that family of scripts.
With all the hoops that hard-drive made you jump through, I'd be pretty suspicious of it. I've installed the nouveau-xorg driver, and then switched it back to the Nvidia driver multiple times in the last 2 or 3 days using 'smxi' with no bad results. I also downloaded and reinstalled the Nvidia driver from the Nvidia site manually with no ill effects. Another thing I did was to get rid of 'smxi' and re-download it with the same results. All worked perfectly. Have you tried to manually download the Nvidia driver and install it? It is super easy to do, and I'd be happy to walk you through it if you should need assistance.
One more thing, I had been using the 'nouveau-xorg' driver before you started having your issues. It uses WAY less memory and for what I do on the computer works fine for me. However, having said that, I am for sure noticing a much better looking screen using the Nvidia driver for this card. Aamof, I'd have to say I've been stunned at the difference. And, with 16 Gb of RAM, who cares how much memory it takes to run the Nvidia stuff!
I really hope your able to get it sorted out, and a big thank-you for making me get off my duff and install the Nvidia driver!

Edit: Of course I forgot after all that typing to include the scrot...
