hard wire not working after Spectrum new modem and router

That is an excellent price for that board. I would love to watch your videos of you building a system using this system board. I'm also delighted to read that you got the help you needed and I did wonder if that wasn't the issue (see my original post to you). I don't do any serious streaming myself although I have thought about trying it because I have daughters who are keen on content creation and I build PCs for them. :) I love it when a plan comes together!

F22 Simpilot said:

Off topic (slightly) but a bad USB port? Best Buy is notorious for bad service. It sounded like since you pulled the ASUS router you were still in bridging mode in the modem. This is the mode needed when an additional router is used with a modem...
USB port? You use an Ethernet port. Looks like this. Has NOTHING to do with HDMI or OBS Studio...
Yes, Ethernet ports can get fried via the modem or router if it gets a power surge or what ever or your own computer does it and sends that upstream taking everything else out. They sell devices for this but they are very expensive. The cheap ones WILL cripple your network speed.

He wasn't referring to a bad USB port. He thought he had a bad Ethernet port but yes, it was a bridging issue based on the information that he shared. That said in my two decades or so of servicing PCs I've never had an Ethernet port fail on me as a result of hot plugging or unplugging the cable with the modem on. I do it all the time. It's all light to do BUT with POE I wouldn't advise doing it. Too much voltage fluctuation going on there in that regard.

That is interesting what you said about power surges. I know of someone who lost two PCs that way at once. I don't know that it happened via Ethernet but again, it only goes to show that modems and routers should run on surge protection. Ideally, a UPS would be preferable. I can't imagine running any of my PCs without it. If one is super concerned about protecting their investment and finance is not an object I recommend using sine wave; but this is optional. Most PCs are safe with standard UPS protection.

The reason OBS came into the discussion is because he's streaming with multiple cards and has no spare PCIe lanes — for example, to use with a replacement Ethernet card. (Hence the resort to a USB dongle.) No matter, the issue has been resolved and all is well that ends well.

I have to agree with you again on the matter of Best Buy. I have had more dis-service from these people than I can bring myself to express here and it has been validated in many a You Tube video how that this company will take advantage of people to sell them stuff they don't need just to "fix" a simple problem. From receiving goods not even listed on my invoice in lieu of what I ordered (and always inferior to what I ordered) to just plain old broken is only the tip of the iceberg. Technical support is a night mare. I seriously do NOT recommend this company.