I tried Fedora, but my TP-Link USB Wi-Fi adapter didn't work. After connecting by cable and installing updates, the display aspect ratio was wrong too. Finding a driver meant reading through instructions and using the terminal, and I got frustrated.
Is there a practical way to figure out whether this hardware will work, or should I just go back to Windows?
Going back to Windows is a perfectly reasonable choice if you need the computer working now. You don't have to turn a Wi-Fi problem into a long learning project.
If you're still curious about Linux, you can come back to it later when you have time to check the hardware and test things without relying on that installation.
Start with the exact adapter model and hardware revision, not just TP-Link. USB adapters sold under similar names can use different chipsets, and support can depend on the kernel version. Check whether that specific chipset has a driver included in the Linux kernel before buying a replacement or following a driver guide.
USB Wi-Fi support varies a lot. Some adapters work immediately, while others need extra drivers or may not be well supported. A model advertised as Linux compatible is worth checking against its exact revision too.
The display problem needs a separate look from the Wi-Fi adapter. For a useful troubleshooting question, include the computer model, graphics hardware, Fedora version, available screen resolutions and any error messages. Mention that the aspect ratio changed after the update too.
That information gives people somewhere to start without guessing that the Wi-Fi driver and display issue have the same cause.
Before reinstalling, try booting a live version of Fedora or another distribution from a USB drive. You can check whether Wi-Fi and the display work in that session without committing to an installation. It won't prove everything will work after updates, but it can help spot an immediate hardware problem.
An AI assistant can help explain terminal commands and driver instructions in plain English, but don't blindly run everything it suggests. Back up anything you care about first, and be especially cautious about adding package sources or installing lots of desktop components just to troubleshoot one problem.
Answers are reviewed before publication.
8tracks_and_a_map:
Also check the Fedora and kernel versions when looking at compatibility reports. A report for a different release may not match what you're running.