Well I finally went and put the $$ down and got a D-Link DIR 655.
Where I sit now I am getting about 12% signal strength (per Wifiinfo) whereas before it would not even hook up.

However I think the best solution is found at Smallnet builder (here)
where he writes on how to set up and old wireless router as an access point.
By putting my real old linksys in the far corner of the house I effectively cover the whole house, just not at N speed.

some friends of mine have a dsl 2wire gateway 2701hg-b router through at&t and my n810 wont connect to it at all.