Only 1024x768 display res. available. Can't install nvidia driver

It is not a boot manager at all. It is only the boot splash.

Related guide: [HowTo] Disable or Remove Plymouth (boot splash)

Yes. At least through DKMS.
Which would normally also have a corresponding package.

But maybe somehow you retained DKMS from the previous install if you preserved some of the original files?

dkms status