initializing firmware interfaces with USB hard drive

Hey all,

I have a Dell PowerEdge R320 with an external USB hard drive device connected. If I plug it up in Windows, it's detected fine, no problems. When I reboot however I get stuck on "initializing firmware interfaces". I have let it sit for 45 minutes and it will not progress. Now, if I unplug the USB it will, or if I hard power cycle the server it will also boot up.

I have disabled the Life Cycle Controller and the hardware inventory collection on boot with no results. Anyone have any answers for this??? This server was bought specifically to run this USB hard drive device.