help with network (usb wireless adapter or wireless router)

help with network (SOLVED)

i bought a d'link wireless usb 2.0 adapter to connect my broken laptop to wireless
i have a belkin wireless router that is set correctly
my 2 other laptop connect fine with their built in wireless cards with full 5 bars
but when i turn on my laptop with the wireless stick
it only get 1 to 2 bars
and also can't connect to my 360 to listen to music
i called d'link and they said it was the router
then i called belkin and they said it was the usb wireless stick
usb stick - http://www.dlink.ca/products/?pid=473&se...
wireless router - http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPa...
there is no built in wireless in the broken laptop
thats why i bought the usb wireless for it
i am only 8 feet away from the wireless router
any help would be great
thanks
Vaughn
and also
a friend said windows 7 will be free for people who have purchased vista
is this true?