What networking gear do I need?

[Spinball]

I have absolutely failed to set up our home office network.

Downstairs and connected to the Virgin Media box is a D-link DIR 655 Wireless N router.
This is connected via a pair of zyXel homeplugs to a D-Link DGL 4300 router (with the wireless turned off) upstairs. (The DGL 4300 can't be used as a repeater as it doesn't support WAP).

The wireless range is pathetic. A wireless IP security camera in the carport roof adjacent to the kitchen is out of range and we can't pick up a signal.
An iPhone won't connect consistently when upstairs.
We need better Wifi coverage downstairs and upstairs.

Also the homeplugs have just stopped working so there is no internet upstairs now, either.

Please tell me what to buy to get good wireless coverage throughout the house plus fast, reliable internet access upstairs.
And it needs to be easy to set up. Messing around with router settings beyond the basic is too hard.

Thanks in advance.

 

[yashiro]

Either of those routers should give wireless coverage within your house with no problems. I don't think there's necessarily something wrong with your hardware.

 

[Spinball]

I just tested the signal strength upstairs using InSSIDer. It's -90. Very low signal strength.