As this states in the log:
Error: API mismatch: the NVIDIA kernel module has version 180.29,
but this NVIDIA driver component has version 180.44. Please make
sure that the kernel module and all NVIDIA driver components
have the same version
This means you have remains of the 180.29 driver, and it’s known for it.
Solution: I assume you know about the console since you install the driver “by hand”. Go “init 3” and do this, as root:
sh NVIDIA…180.44…run --uninstall (will uninstall current driver)
find / -name nvidia*.* -print
This will give you an output of all files beginning with nvidia. on your system. Remove the files from /lib/modules/2.6… and from /usr/lib/xorg… (32bit) or /usr/lib64/xorg, (64bit).
After this procedure, reinstall the driver, things should be OK now.