All I can recommed is moving the PC upstairs right next to the router to rule out (or more likely confirm) whether distance is the issue.

Certain types of wall and floor insulation can interfere with the wireless signal (apparently), as can wireless phones.

Here are your options, in order of effectiveness (IMO)

1. Ethernet Homeplugs - <£40
2. A new wireless router >£40
3. A stronger wireless antenna for your router - ~£20+

Note that its very likely that even if you bought a new router you would have to buy an antenna as well because the antennas that come as standard with routers are very weak; about the size of a little finger.

Of course you could spend more on a MIMO router but why spend money if you can avoid it? Also, wireless will never be as good as Ethernet.

Get some homeplugs:

Extra Value 85Mbps Powerline Adapter - Twin Pack - Ebuyer

If you have two PC's then you will need three homeplugs. Or you could get two and swap homeplugs between different PC's if they don't require internet at the same time.

Note the 89 five star reviews of the homeplugs, have a read of them to get an idea of how good they are.

Basically the amount you need is:

No. of PC's + 1

The +1 needs to be connected to your router and an electrical socket. Then an Ethernet signal is sent throughout your house and any electrical socket can then be used as an Ethernet port with full Ethernet speeds (using another homeplug of course). No low signal, no disconnecting. Just a network working as it should.

Heyy ... the router is downstairs ... i forgot to try bring the pc down and trying it that way (i give advice to do it ... yet dont do it myself .. bit stupid) I will try that and post back ... but if i could get tips on other ways to fix this it will help?

How much are MIMO routers any way (jus curious)

Lastly .... an enthernet plug is good, but i really want a wireless router ... as im thinking of getting a laptop in the near future ... if you or someone could recommend me a good router with good range?

my brother has just told me that he is getting about 80% strength still doesent work.

hmm ... maybe the computer?

Could be the encryption on the router. Try removing the WEP/WPA key and see if it connects then.

You will need to connect directly to the router by Ethernet or get close enough to the router where you can connect wirelessly to change any settings such as passwords, broadcast channel.

Another option would be to try changing the channel that the router broadcasts on. From memory 6 and 11 are usually good but I haven't used wireless for a few years.

Here's a review for a Netgear wireless MIMO router:

Netgear RangeMax MIMO wireless router ? The Register

Priced around £50. Its an old review though. There are some cheaper Belkin ones but they only have two antennas although they claim 1000ft coverage as well. They're around £30.

But the more antennas, the better. It seems as though there would be more blind spots with a router with two antennas than one that has seven.

If you want to buy the Netgear MIMO Router you can do so from this site:

Broadbandstuff.co.uk | Buy the MIMO

I've used it in the past, they have a quick delivery service.

You may also want to try resetting the router and seeing if that helps. Just stick a paperclip in the reset button on the back of the router. Although you may want to make a note of any configuration setting changes you made, if any.

Thanks ... the channels ... removing the security... or resetting the router didnt work.

My brother is persistent that the problem lies with the computer ... hmmm what can be dun?

i was thinking of buying a router any way ... this one seems ok Belkin F5D8235 N+ Wireless-N Cable Router

but don't know if it is as powerful as the netgear one.

I'd be a bit wary that it only has two antennas. But the same router is £5 cheaper here:

Belkin N+ Wireless Router - Ebuyer

I normally buy all my stuff from Ebuyer and most good products have reviews...this one doesn't. Which doesn't mean its a bad product but it would be better if there were user reviews.

This one looks better and has 18 reviews and is also £10 cheaper:

Linksys by Cisco WRT160N Wireless-N Router - Ebuyer

However, we need to verify whether the problem is the PC or the router because you don't want to get a new router and have the same problem.

I haven't used wireless for ages so I'm not sure what settings you need to change but if resetting the router (assuming it did reset, instructions are in the manual) didn't work then it seems likely that the problem is on the computer.

Here's what I would do:

1. Connect a PC to the router directly via Ethernet and verify that it is working (eg it gets an IP and can access the internet)

2. Verify the transmission mode which the router is using (eg b or g or b+g) b+g is best.

3. Verify that the SSID is being broadcast

4. Remove any encryption/password on the router

5. Move the wireless PC you want to connect as close to the router (ideally next to it) and try connecting

5a. If you have any Netgear software installed then use that
5b. If that fails, try using the Windows Wireless Zero Config

6. Boot into Safe Mode With Networking and see if that's any better (press F5 after restarting the PC

7. Perhaps also try creating a new User account and seeing if that can connect

Note that there may be some configuration needed to the Network Adapter in Control Panel > Network Connections

Right click the wireless adapter and choose Properties. Try checking the Authentication tab and make the settings match your router.

Also, before 1. I would check that the modem connection is correct. Although if you have two PC's connected to the internet at the same time then you don't need to check that.