Not even sure this is under the right category but anyways my wireless USB adapter keeps losing connection to the router which is downstairs. Is there a simpler protocol I could switch to that would connect more reliably? I'm using 15 MB internet so bandwidth bottleneck isn't really a concern.
USB adapters are quite limited when it comes to signal strenght, check what dB levels you're getting with inSSIDer (win/osx) or wavemon (linux), you'd wanna be within the -20 to -70 range.
Then run to your modem and check with wifi-analyzer with your phone the signal strength coming from your usb adapter.
Is there a free version of this inssider?
Well it used to be free... try this
http://www.majorgeeks.com/index.php?ct=files&action=download&
downloading it isn't the issue it wants a key after download. .-.
Even the outdated version from majorgeeks?
Usb adapters are known to be rather unreliable as a whole. Probably just a bad adapter if signal strength isn't bad.