Ok, I finally figured out the problem...
I was using a checked/debug build of Vista 64 Ultimate SP1 instead of the plain old retail copy. Once I discovered my mistake and switched to the retail version, I was able to install Vista 64 and then the Nvidia 181.22 drivers.
I only noticed my problem when I saw the word DEBUG in the system information.
Hopefully this is the last issue but I am feeling much better since I have not had a BSOD in 45 minutes...