First time boot stuck at Booting SMP Configuration

[towndawg]

Hello, I am having a hard time booting up UNRAID for the first time with my current build. I keep getting stuck at the following:

smp: Bringing up secondary CPUs ...
x86: Booting SMP configuration:

 

when selecting Unraid OS or safe mode option.

 

I have the following hardware:

Motherboard: ASUS Maximus VIII Hero w/ bios ver 3802
CPU: intel i7-6700 CPU
RAM: 2x16GB Crucial
USB: Kingston DataTraveler Exodia 32GB

 

I have tested the CPU, RAM and USB with another motherboard (MSI z170a m5) so I am thinking that either I am missing a setting (hopefully) or that the motherboard might be toast.

 

I updated the following BIOS settings per troubleshooting, UNRAID setup guide, and SpaceInvaderOne videos:

 

Intel Virtualization Technology: Enabled
Hyper Threading: Enabled
VTD: Enabled

Fast Boot: Disabled
 

I used the UNRAID USB creator with the most stable version selected (6.11.5 as of now) and have allowed UEFI boot. I'm unable to get past the options menu when booting with UEFI version (it just looks like its frozen) and with the legacy boot, I get stuck at the booting SMP configuration. The USB is plugged into a USB 2.0 port as well.

 

I am wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem or has this motherboard (ASUS Maximus VIII Hero) in their build working with UNRAID? Would I be better off with just moving forward with the MSI motherboard? Thank you.

[trurl]

Try manual method for creating flash drive

https://wiki.unraid.net/Articles/Getting_Started#Manual_Install_Method

[towndawg]

Hello Trurl, thank you for your quick response! So I finally tried the manual method and am still getting the same response as above. I also tried various settings recommended in the Advanced BIOS Configuration Guide section but still no luck. Any ideas?