recommend me a wireless lan device with good range

[vivalabam]

okay i need abit of help here

according to the linksys utility, the signal strength for my home network is at 45%
router is downstairs in the living room so its understandable

however i was wondering whether there are any other wireless USB adapters with really good range. i've seen one (by buffalo, i think) with a really large antenna costing a few hundred dollars lol. but my budget is $150 to $200. my current adapter is the linksys WUSB54G v4. any ideas ??

note that i'm not looking to upgrade the router itself. i dont' want my dad to kill me lol.

ps does anybody know why the linksys wireless network randomly cause the PC to slow down suddenly ? the CPU usage on core1 goes to 100% for like a few minutes and then it just returns to normal. confirmed that its the utility problem because i switched to normal windows zero config utility and it doesn't happen. coz my dad keyed the access point's password into the linksys utility and i'm kinda stuck for now using it until he gets back from the states

TIA

[liangtam]

where got few hundred dollars
anyway, is like tis de.

[vivalabam]

huh ? as in, i've seen that on engadget or gizmodo before, i doubt its sold in singapore though. i need my connection to be slightly more stable so i can use my PC as a network bridge for my xbox360. my friend just said to buy wireless N, but i think the difference will only be apparent if i upgrade the entire network which, sadly, i don't have the budget to accomplish.

[liangtam]

first, is the benefits even worth the money to begin with or not?

answer is obvious.

[vivalabam]

first, is the benefits even worth the money to begin with or not?

answer is obvious.

frankly, if its 200$ i don't really care lol. anyway i bought the adapter that i'm currently using like 5 or 6 years ago ?? contact points are all rusty and stuff and i think it is time for an upgrade. might as well get something better haha

[vivalabam]

anybody ??

[tRAILeRZ]

If you're just looking for usb wireless adapter.. can consider Asus wl-167g wireless adapter. Was using a dlink one b4 it died on me.. replaced with this and found that it can maintain a stronger signal as the signal strength fluctuate with the dlink.

Not really better per se as it is still wireless G like your current adapter.

[vivalabam]

thanks! i'll read up reviews for that model later. btw do you think using a wireless N usb adapter on a wireless G network will yield better results ? i'm not expecting a huge increase that normally comes with upgrading the entire network, just a stronger and more reliable signal will do.

[phuque99]

thanks! i'll read up reviews for that model later. btw do you think using a wireless N usb adapter on a wireless G network will yield better results ?.

no, will get g speed

[vivalabam]

i know. i'm actually referring to the range. speed isn't an issue for me atm, i just need the connection to be stable and consistent.

[phuque99]

it will just work in g frequency, so no diff from using a g adaptor/router combo.

[vivalabam]

ah damn. thanks for the clarification anyway. any other recommendations guys ?

[wherehouse]

make your own parabolic antenna attachment.
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/index.html