LinuxDevice :
Sounds like there is a defect in either cable or connectors. Poorly crimped connectors are terrible...kinks and physical trauma to a cable can cause it to lose quality in a very short distance. You might consider just laying a loose cable from the router to the PC as a test to see if this would help...and if it does, then replace the cable in the wall. If you're concerned then get cat-6 instead of cat-5e...though I doubt it'll change much, it could at its limits.
Another test is that you could put a switch right at the router, and put the long cable between switch and PC...if it helps the problem, then it may be the router just isn't that great. If you already have a switch this is an easy/painless test.
Everyone says "switch", what is a switch?
And the router is on the other side of the house and a floor up. I know that the signal is fine before it hits the wall, but when it gets to the wall, the signal strength drops to low or nonexistent