Restarted into GRUB:
Selected to start up with Linux 6.2.0-39 generic (previously, had tried with 6.5.0-14-generic Recovery Mode; issue persisted in that test).
Computer restarted - no error messages on restart. Got to a desktop (set to auto login), mouse and keyboard not available for about a minute, then were responsive. Ethernet connection available; able to ping ISP.
Left the unit on and went to do some other tasks. Came back, the unit had gone into suspend.
Brought the unit out of suspend, and logged in - no lag with connecting to keyboard or mouse for the login procedure. On desktop, USB devices were showing as connected, ethernet network connection was available and functional.
Shut down.
Started up, selected via shift to go into GRUB menu.
Selected to start up with Linux 6.2.0-39 generic as previously attempted.
Computer started - no error messages on startup.
Got to a desktop (set to auto login), mouse and keyboard immediately available. Ethernet connection available; able to ping ISP.
Left the unit on and went to do some other tasks. Came back, the unit had gone into suspend.
Brought the unit out of suspend, and logged in - no lag with connecting to keyboard or mouse for the login procedure. On desktop, USB devices were showing as connected, ethernet network connection was available and functional.
So, temporary rollback test from Linux 6.5.0-14 generic to Linux 6.2.0-39 generic shows a major improvement.
The USB lag for the keyboard and mouse on initial startup is annoying, but I can do other tasks during this startup process and then start using the machine when it is fully functional.
That said - it would be excellent to address this, and as it still appears to be the USB issue as related to this thread - I'd like to leave this open until this issue is resolved completely.
The resolution to the ethernet issue is extremely important, and as a workaround, I will roll back to the earlier kernel so I have this functionality. Again - I'd like to leave this thread open until this issue is resolved completely for kernel Linux 6.5.0-14 generic (or is superseded by a newer kernel which does not exhibit this issue).
At your convenience, please let me know the preferred method for rolling back the kernel in Zorin 17, and I will do so as a temporary workaround until this issue is completely resolved.
Thank you.