Replacing Wireless Router

Hey Guys, I could use some advice, I have a couple of laptops and a desk top I need to get a wireless signal and print capability to, my present router does pretty well, but frequently drops connections!

Internet: Cable
Router: Netgear RangMax 240 (WPNT834) wireless G
Area: 2660 sq.ft., Two Story, Wood Construction.
Router and cable modem Location: NE end of basement.
Desktop location: NW corner of second story.
Laptop locations: SE corner of second story.
Printer: HP Deskjet 6988, SE corner of second story.

I have tried a Hawking HWREG1" RangeExtender with no luck, I really don't understand a lot about wireless past the present router!
I have been doing some research, and I"m now wondering if my money would be better spent just going to a new router like a draft N?

The only reason I decided to try the Range Extender was the fact that I would only have to come up with an electrical source at the halfway point. (the house isn't cabled for LAN)
Please give me some input on best choices for a range extender or N router.
Thanks
Bret

Your present router is relic by todays standards but it might be possible to make it work better and stop dropping connections with a firmware update.

If you want a faster and more reliable connection you would be much better off going with a newer wireless N capable router.

If you need more range you can add on a wireless access point A/P or a bridge if you need more wired connections for other stuff.

I use the D-link DIR655 wireless N router and the D-link DAP1522 dual band as an access point to get a better signal out to my garage. There are many good N routers to choose from.

Has anyone seen a comparison between the D-link DIR655 wireless N router and the NETGEAR WNDR3700-100NAS 802.11a/b/g/n Rangemax?
I have used Netgear for a while now and was just wondering if one had stronger points over the other.
Thanks
Bret