New x86-64 install won't completely boot

Installation
1

Brand new user here and already stuck.
I flashed using balenaEtcher on a new M.2 SSD without incident. The hardware is a used Optiplex 3050 that worked fine using Windows. I removed the windows drive and replaced an empty SSD for additional video storage. Also updated the BIOS before installing flashed HAOS media.

The boot sequence stops at about 1.3 seconds after switching clocksource to tsc

I have ethernet plugged in as well as onboard WiFi. Neither are showing up on my router.

I have such a long tinkering journey ahead of me, it’s so deflating to be stuck so soon out of the gate. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

2

Good lord! After some serious keyboard imprints to the forehead, I must have stumbled onto something in the BIOS. I have a feeling it was some of the built-in Intel features that I disabled.

I am now able to access the device.

Let the journey begin!

3

Hey. What feature was it was disabled or enabled to get it to work?