[Resolved] Ethernet on an Intel 8th generation mobo is not working

[ineuw]

Not knowing if this issue belongs to the hardware, installation, drivers, or the networking forums, I decided that this would be the best place to post it.

Purchased an 8th generation Intel Pentium with a GIGABYTE B360 AORUS motherboard and installed Linux 18.3 64bit, but I can't get the Ethernet connection working. I tested the cable on another desktop and it is working fine. To me this means that LM18.3 might be missing the Ethernet driver for this motherboard???

[thx-1138]

...you haven't specified:
1)...when on Live Mode, before installing it - did you checked if it worked in the first place or not?
2)...alternatively - does Wireless work?
3) inxi -Fxz for exact configuration details.

Short answer: you'll most probably be better served with Mint 19 Beta for an easy out-of-the-box experience.
That's what i'd try myself to avoid lots of fiddling around...

Long answer: 8th gen needs at least 4.13 kernel (Mint 18.3 comes with 4.10). Kernel 4.15 is actually even more recommended.
More than likely, you will also probably further need to update linux-firmware.
With inxi -Fxz results, chances are that people around can make more specific suggestions, if you select to go this route...

[ineuw]

...you haven't specified:
1)...when on Live Mode, before installing it - did you checked if it worked in the first place or not?
2)...alternatively - does Wireless work?
3) inxi -Fxz for exact configuration details.

Short answer: you'll most probably be better served with Mint 19 Beta for an easy out-of-the-box experience.
That's what i'd try myself to avoid lots of fiddling around...

Long answer: 8th gen needs at least 4.13 kernel (Mint 18.3 comes with 4.10). Kernel 4.15 is actually even more recommended.
More than likely, you will also probably further need to update linux-firmware.
With inxi -Fxz results, chances are that people around can make more specific suggestions, if you select to go this route...

Thanks for the advice. In live mode, neither LM 18.3 nor 19 beta worked with either connection types, but when installed, the Realtek RT8192C USB WiFi dongle works, albeit unreliably in either LM versions because the required update (which I have on hand) is not possible to install without Ethernet. After seeing all manner of issues propping up with LM 18.3, I ended up installing Linux 19 Beta, and I am in the process of trying to install the Intel Linux Ethernet and WiFi drivers, since everything is Intel. The chipset is Intel B360, the Ethernet and WiFi are both Intel. I looked at the LM 19 inxi report and it shows that it neither WiFi or Ethernet exists at this point, so I will post it a bit later with more info. What is offsetting the frustration is that the OS installation is insanely fast: 5 minutes for a complete install of either versions.