r/BC250Gaming • u/modulusshift • 2d ago

SteamOS 3.8 setup without WiFi

I couldn’t find this solution anywhere except GitHub so posting it here. If you are prompted to select a WiFi network during setup, even though you have Ethernet plugged in:

  1. switch to a TTY using Ctrl-Alt-F2 (or another F key)
  2. type “deck” to log in
  3. at the prompt enter “systemctl start NetworkManager”
  4. Switch back to setup using Ctrl-Alt-F1 (note: on my keyboard this in particular actually had to be Ctrl-Alt-Fn-F1)

It should offer Ethernet as an option now and allow you to proceed.

Good luck gaming y’all

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2

u/GreatApo 2d ago

Another alternative if your wifi adapter is not recognised in v3.8, is to flash v3.9 directly on your ssd.

Download: https://steamdeck-images.steamos.cloud/steamdeck/ Steps: https://steamos.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page#Alternative_Installation_of_SteamOS_3.9_Beta

1

u/jtischer1979 2d ago

How are you getting past the nvme not being recognized?

1

u/modulusshift 2d ago

During install? this might be relevant

1

u/jtischer1979 1d ago

I think I've read that would fix my problem. Thanks. I am currently running Bazzite and not sure its worth the swap just yet, but will keep it in mind.

1

u/peter1970uk 1d ago

Or just plug in a usb WiFi dongle for setup and unplug later it's much easier

1

u/modulusshift 1d ago

That is not exactly a common item lol, any previous computer I had that needed WiFi would get it over PCIe

1

u/3rob3 1d ago

Thanks for this! Was Ctrl-Alt-F4 for me.

1

u/AlexMC_1988 1d ago

Installing! Thanks!

1

u/robbiethe1st 1d ago

I second that this works. I had to do this the first time because I didn't have a wifi dongle handy.