Laptop Connectivity Problems

[smurfchops]

Just changed my broadband to BT and still having problems with my laptop. BT have sent me a BT Home Hub 2.0 with 'latest N technology' which I presume is an N Router. However my laptop still won't work in the kitchen - it isn't that far from the router which is connected to my desktop. Connectivity is very infrequent. I keep getting messages about joinig the BTFone which is at least £3. an hour. (How do i get rid of this BTFone web page by the way, it is driving me mad). I think the problem could be the RSJ in my kitchen ceiling being between the router and the laptop. The family have three mobiles - Orange, T Mobile and 02. Would it be a good idea to buy a Dongle for the laptop? I am not technical at all, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[buildersmate]

When you say it isn't that far from the router, just how far is it?
I have the same BT Hub and it has a range of about 40 feet.
But it is does some to depend on orientation of things - moving the laptop through 90 degrees sometimes makes the difference between no signal and enough signal.
Can you move the router nearer the centre of the house, perhaps?
It seems pointless to be forking out extra for wireless broadband via a dongle when there's a free, faster connection so close.

[smurfchops]

Its less than 30 feet away from the router although there is an extension ceiling in between with an RSJ in it. The router is connected to the desktop so I can't move it too far - sometimes I put the laptop right next to the router and it still doesn't work ! It is all set up correctly though as sometimes it works perfectly. It feels like waves going across the house, sometimes they connect and sometimes they don't.