I just got a used custom PC and am trying to set it up to dual boot Debian and Windows. However, I'm having major trouble getting online because I can't connect via Ethernet due to space constraints, and I bought a TP-Link BE3600 USB Wi-Fi adapter. Unfortunately, I need drivers to use the adapter, but I can't download them without an internet connection. I even tried using Fedora for its additional firmware, but that hasn't worked either. My attempts to install the drivers from a USB were unsuccessful since I need even more drivers for that. I did try to temporarily connect to Ethernet, but either my cable or the port is faulty since it doesn't work on Windows either. I can't tether my phone either as I don't have the right cable. Should I consider getting a different Wi-Fi adapter, or am I stuck using Windows for good?
5 Answers
If you have an Android phone, you can use USB tethering to connect your phone to your PC. Just turn on "USB tethering" in the phone’s settings and it’ll act like a temporary Ethernet connection, letting you download any necessary drivers. I’ve done this with my own Wi-Fi adapters before and it worked like a charm! For iPhones, you can enable the "Wi-Fi hotspot" feature to share your cellular connection over Wi-Fi or USB, so that might help too.
You might be on the right track looking into different distros. I had a similar experience, and switching to PCLinuxOS made a big difference for me with Wi-Fi drivers. It's known for its excellent out-of-the-box hardware support, especially for tricky Wi-Fi cards. Just remember, if you're juggling buggy hardware and Linux at the same time, it could make things tougher than they need to be!
From what you mentioned, it seems like your hardware might be the real issue here, especially if it's not working on Windows either. If your Ethernet port or cable isn’t functioning, it could just be a hardware problem, not necessarily Linux. Maybe first check your connections or get a USB cable for tethering to eliminate that as an issue. If things still don’t work after that, picking a different Wi-Fi adapter would be a good step.
It sounds frustrating, but don’t give up yet! When I was setting up my Debian, using my Android as a USB tether to download drivers made all the difference. It took a bit to figure out but was worth it in the end. Once connected, I was able to get everything set up! Stick with it a bit longer, or consider trying out beginner-friendly distros like Linux Mint or MX Linux, which may have better driver support right out of the box.
I did a bit of research and unfortunately, I couldn’t find any Linux driver for the TP-Link BE3600. It’s really important to check the compatibility of hardware before making a purchase next time. If you're stuck, it might be worth looking for a different Wi-Fi adapter that’s confirmed to work with Linux. They’re out there, just make sure to check before buying!
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