My friend's 1043 have never hang for a year,thanks for the third party firmware Gargoyle!This is the website for downloading: http://www.gargoyle-router.com/download.php

You should use it as a AP not a router.

Have you tried the latest firmware on th official website.It seems the problem has solved on some routers.

I think the router is a brick now.....

The signal of wireless will be affected by the blocks.Hope a repeter will help you.

I think it won't be better.I think the signal strength should be improve both on your PC and the router.The signal of your router can get your PC,but the sinagl of your PC cannot get to the router.