Yup, Bee.  Windows 11.  
 
Thanks for the help, once again.  Much respect for the people on this board!  

I had another incident with my computer randomly freezing, causing me to have to do a hard reboot.  It's confusing why this still occasionally happens.

RAVENEVGA
I had another incident with my computer randomly freezing, causing me to have to do a hard reboot.  It's confusing why this still occasionally happens.

 
sry, i overlooked the second quirk in ur OP, or i wanted to focus on the 1st quirk and as a result forgot about the second one:
 

RAVENEVGA
I've been enjoying my new system for awhile now...playing lots of games, actually being able to watch 1080 and even 1440 Youtube.  
 
There are a couple of quirks I've noticed.  Recently, when the system is booting up, before the Z690 title screen, the screen shows "9C".   After title screen, of course, it goes to the Windows login.
 
The second quirk,...sometimes, when I start up the system, I'll get 6 beeps,...and when that happens, the keyboard won't work.  I have to reach around to the back, unplug the cord, plug it back in, then it works.  
 
Comments?

i said sry ^^ because it's always best when a PC has a problem like u described, as ur second quirk, not to unplug the cord and re-plug it back in; for the sake of attempting to get it to successfully boot all the way into Windows.
 
Instead, what u want to do, is to use the power button. U should press and hold the power button a few seconds until it fully shuts down. Then wait a few seconds and start it.
 
If ^^ doesn't work then maybe a setting for the power button in BIOS needs to be checked. But seeing how u are using Optimal Defaults + EMP enabled for ur RAM, ur power button settings in ur BIOS should be fine.
 
The next steps can be lengthy, but because it was covered already in ur initial thread, it can be abbreviated, without extensive explanations...
 
If and only if, u have all ur BIOS settings memorized:
1. Enter BIOS>>
2. Load Optimal Defaults>>
3. Save Exit BIOS>>
4. Enter BIOS>>
5. Change settings to like u had before>>
6. Save Exit BIOS>>
7. Boot into Windows and for a few minuets test basic programs>>
8. Restart PC>>
9. And again, Boot into Windows and for a few minuets test basic programs>>
10. Shut Down PC and wait at least 50 seconds>>
11. Start PC, and again, Boot into Windows and for a few minuets test basic programs and a few Games for about twenty minuets>>
12. Restart PC, go into BIOS, and create a new BIOS Settings Profile.
 
Now continuing again without extensive explanations. The least preferable method of pulling the power chord out of the back (versus the much more preferable, shutting down with the power button -- which i hope works) can possibly corrupt exiting BIOS settings. So Loading Optimal Defaults and all ur setting manually, can rule it out and correct it. Always use the Power button and not the power-chord. The switch on the back of the PSU is the best 2nd option, but only when the Power Button won't shut down a PC. Getting rid of the need to ever have to is best, because that means the PC works perfectly in regards to that aspect of it. And of course there's the Restart Button on ur case too. It should always work. But when a PC doesn't boot properly and freezes a full shutdown before starting is usually the preferred method.  That gives the BIOS the best chance to completely and properly load again from scratch.
 
So now back to the "second quirk" in ur OP....
 
u said, "The second quirk,...sometimes, when I start up the system, I'll get 6 beeps,...and when that happens, the keyboard won't work. [i'm intentionally leaving out the power-chord part.]"
 
Or better yet, the problem simply stated would be:
 
Sometimes when starting my PC I hear six beeps, the keyboard doesn't work, and the PC freezes. 
 
So that gets us to the following:
 
1. Simply state the problem.
 
2. Make a list of Tools to fix the problem.
 
3. Pick one tool from the list then create an Algorithm.
 
4. Implement the algorithm.
 
5. If the problem isn't fixed Repeat step three.
 
The ^^ problem solving technique is called STAIR. (See the underlined words ^^ in steps one thru five?)
 
So as far as tools go this thread u created was a great start. (The EVGA z690 Forums is the Tool and creating this thread is an Algorithm.) And there's also all the obvious tools. Like do u remember all the ones in ur 1st thread? (ElevenForum Dot Com, YouTube, etc.)
 
I really like maybe EVGA's KB forums could help by finding others with the exact same or simular problem and hopefully a solution too. Or just starting a thread could be a good idea. But don't abandon this one!
 
The oldest tool for a technician; one that suspects it's the KB, and in a situation like this that ur having; is to try using a PS2 KB. But we don't have a PS2 port on this Classified MOBO. I think the Dark does. So the next best thing is a Corded USB KB, that one knows absolutely works. So find one u have and test with it.
 
GL
 
 

Honestly,....I wish I had someone with FAR more computer knowledge come to my place and look it over to see if it is actually set up as it should have been.  At this point, I'm at a loss of how to proceed.  I'm very much a novice/noob, being my first build and all.  I feel like I am not even close to the knowledge base to have done this build...and should have just got a pre-built system, or had a boutique shop build me one.
 
This morning I had another system freeze...where I had to hold the power button.  I had run for quite some time without this happening, but in the last week, it's happened three times now.  I'm quite frustrated about this build.  It still works...and I can do things on it.  
 
I am still using the Beta Bios, BTW.

cell phone camera is a good way to save BIOS screen shots
 
use the manual & see how/ if you can save your BIOS settings is a good option, once you have them set correctly
 
Take photos & post the photos & maybe some can review & give feedback that might help you
 
Use a photo host service & post a link of "Copy Image Link" to place photo in your post, more details can be found --> PSA adding a photo to your Post - EVGA made some changes - Post Directions below
 
Web search your MB - something like "EVGA Z690" & Classified & OC guide
 
Review those results & see if basic BIOS information is helpful
 
Stability - stopping Crashes - can be a bit painful to track down as they can be from many different source, not just the same thing over & over
 
Best to always start with just the basics: Correct assembly, basics BIOS settings, clean OS install
 
When you turn Windows "off" the MB still gets power & sometimes a USB device can backfeed power to MB ... point is you do not automatically get a True Cold Boot
 
Cold boot steps:
 
1) Hold down the shift key  & keep it down until PC shuts off - Use Window's - shutdown from start Button - this clears Windows start files - "make Win look at your Hardware again & NOT just load the last Boots files "blindly"
 
2) Unplug everything going to A/C power that is attached to PC
 
3) Hold Start button 30 seconds after you unplug ... this discharges the capacitors in your PC
 
4) Plug everything back in needed to Boot: PC, Monitor, KB, mouse .... Now restart PC
 
5) Go into BIOS & make Sure Fast Boot is Off ... we want the MB to look at all hardware on startup "take inventory"
 
6) Open Windows .. logon
 
7) Looks good so far, now try the Restart from the Start Button .... does PC restart & look good / No issues?

Well, I guess I screwed something up.....and it figures.  Probably didn't do your steps right, Cool GTX.  I held the shift key when powering off.  I didn't unplug everything...figuring the on/off switch on the back of the PSU would be the same, so switched it to 'off'.  Held the button for 30 seconds.  Turned the PSU switch 'on' and started the computer.  BIOS does have Fast Boot 'off'.  The system comes on fine, but now, my case fans are stuck at full speed.  I have Lian Li fans, with the software, and had to set the Fan Mode to 'manual' [normally have them set to PWM] to get them to not run at ~ 1930 RPMs.   In the BIOS, I have everything pointing to PWM, except for the two fans on the cooler, which are pointing to CPU.
 
I suck at this.  

Just this morning, in the space of 2 1/2 hours, I had two freezes where I had to hold the power switch for a hard shutdown.  I have been okay for quite awhile.  I have no idea why these freezes are starting again.  
 
On a sidenote, whenever it happens, the NUM LOCK on my keyboard is off when the system comes back up.   
 
Is it possible that I have faulty components?  A motherboard or something?  
 
And at this moment, I really am uncertain if my BIOS setup is how it actually should be.  And again, I'm currently using the Beta BIOS.  Do I need to do a newer one?

RAVENEVGA
Just this morning, in the space of 2 1/2 hours, I had two freezes where I had to hold the power switch for a hard shutdown.  I have been okay for quite awhile.  I have no idea why these freezes are starting again.  
 
On a sidenote, whenever it happens, the NUM LOCK on my keyboard is off when the system comes back up.   
 
Is it possible that I have faulty components?  A motherboard or something?  
 
And at this moment, I really am uncertain if my BIOS setup is how it actually should be.  And again, I'm currently using the Beta BIOS.  Do I need to do a newer one?

 
ur version of BIOS is fine. possibly re-flashing it is a question to ask. but only if any reason to believe it needs to be. i don't think u need to. and anything but like discussed before (Optimal Defaults + EMP + all others u used successfully for five moths) are all that is needed. remember i still use v1.03 NPs watsoever.
 
Are u have both freezing in Windows and sometimes while Booting?
 
If the PC is freezing while in Windows, then it could be software, Hardware, or both causing it.
 
If Freezing occurs in Windows AND sometimes while Booting, then it's likely Hardware related. But, ur using a UEFI (not a Legacy BIOS) and other ppl may have to chime in whether or not it is just as likely software causing freezing while Booting.
 
For now start by replacing ur existing KB in order to rule it out. Use anything u have that works or grab an inexpensive KB online to have around for testing.  Example: Amazon Basics Low-Profile Wired USB Keyboard with US Layout (QWERTY), Matte Black Replacing a KB, for the sake of ruling it out as a cause/ contributing factor, is as easy as it gets.
 
GL
 
 
Edit: And in addition to ^^, because i think it might solve all problems during Booting with a UEFI, and especially in Windows, video drivers could be at fault, so a clean video driver is overdue!
 
See:
https://forums.evga.com/FindPost/3559604 
 
For how to, go to ^^ post from ur 1st Thread and scroll down to "For the sake a Clean Video Driver Installation..."
 
if it works, thank CoolGTX for it working so well five months ago, and again now. i learned how and the importance of doing so from him, 15+ years ago.
 
 

It is only freezing in Windows...and for no specific reason.  I think it was doing this before the EVGA keyboard, but who knows at this point if the keyboard is sometimes causing it.  
 
Yeah, I did the clean video driver install awhile back and haven't downloaded any new drivers since then.

RAVENEVGA
It is only freezing in Windows...and for no specific reason.  I think it was doing this before the EVGA keyboard, but who knows at this point if the keyboard is sometimes causing it.  
 
Yeah, I did the clean video driver install awhile back and haven't downloaded any new drivers since then.

 
it is freezing very likely because a clean driver install is needed.
 
u can use the same version used last time a clean driver install was done.