I THINK finally have an update, I've waited because every time I think I have this figured out it face-plants on me again.
Everything seems to be pointing to the Legacy ASMedia SATA port (on the bottom)
(YES I know, I am using all of my SATA ports and that seems like overkill, but that's why I buy these boards, I want to "be able to" use all of the SATA ports if needed.)
But beyond that,
I have had that port unused for the past month and (so far) everything seems to be working normally.
I can actually use my Creative AE-7, which I have updated the drivers and software for at least 2 times in the past month,
I can keep my DVD ROM plugged in and use it with no issues.
I have updated to every new video driver that has come out since and used the Driver Cleaner (DDU) each time with no problems.
I have been able to update ICue every time it needed updating.
I have a decent little per-core overclock running 24/7, the system runs everything I throw at it stable and cool. (Literally 4 to 8 (and sometimes longer) hour gaming sessions with chat programs and music all running at once)
All of my hard drivers work properly and I use a USB 3.0 (BlacX) for my storage drives instead of the hot-swap drive cage I had plugged into the ASMedia port, and that works fine.
How did I know it was this port?:
I had drives hooked to it that port that would just disappear as if they failed.
My DVD ROM seemed like the problem causing the BSOD's...until I moved it to another controller. And now it doesn't.
Since leaving that bottom ASMedia port open (unused) I have had no more BSOD's/WHEA Errors, there is no more reporting in the event logs about failing hardware.
So, is it just a driver issue?? I have NO idea because there are STILL no official Windows 11 Drivers available to test with. OR is it that I just cannot use all 8 ports at once? ...again I have no idea.
BUT, the system works without using it (for now anyway) and I am cool with that.
HOPEFULLY, this issue is solved (time will tell, and hopefully it doesn't become a larger issue)
A HUGE thank you to everyone for putting up with me through this, believe it or not, I have learned a LOT of valuable information (like have NOTHING hooked up when installing windows 10/11!! and only add one device at a time!) and discovered some cool things about using optical cable for sound (some frustrating but some very cool), and I think I'm going to stick with windows 11, as even as buggy as it is sometimes, it is just VERY easy to use and has everything I need right there.