After installation of multiple packages, my GUI fails to launch.

After installing two distinct packages I've experienced some serious graphics problems.

nvidia-driver nvidia-driver-libs-i386 nvidia-vulkan-icd nvidia-vulkan-icd:i386
(from https://wiki.debian.org/Steam)

boinc-client-nvidia-cuda
(from https://wiki.debian.org/BOINC)

These packages were downloaded months apart but resulted in the same problem (requiring the same solution). This is the big bluescreen notice that I got for both.

*mismatching nvidia kernal module loaded (version 418.74 versus 340.108)*

After reboot (following this notice), my GUI won't load on startx.

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The only way to fix this that I've found is to enter this command:

sudo apt-get remove --purge nvidia-*

After that, I reinstall the driver:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver

Following these steps, I can get to my desktop again.

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Here's my question:

I want to prevent this mismatching from occurring in the future but I also want to keep downloading packages with confidence (without worrying about breaking the computer). How do I do this? Do I just need to get a new graphics card?

I appreciate any input that anyone can provide. Thanks in advance for your attention!

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I've got Debian Buster.

Detected NVIDIA GPUs:
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: NVIDIA Corporation GT218 [GeForce 210] [10de:0a65] (rev a2)

Checking card: NVIDIA Corporation GT218 [GeForce 210] (rev a2)
Your card is only supported up to the 340 legacy drivers series.
It is recommended to install the
nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver