Dlink wireless USB adapter problems for the desperately wanting to save money?

I have a wireless connection which up until yesterday worked perfectly. My Dlink USB adapter fell off my desk and the casing came off. I easily put it back together, and it's still blinking, trying to receive signal, but it's unable to actually pick up on the signal that was there. I just wanted to know if anyone else has gone through this and fixed the problem, because, unfortunately and stupidly enough, this is the third time this has happened to me. It's getting really expensive to have internet. :) Short of going and buying yet another one, has anyone else had this happen and found a way to make it- what seems to be the antenna on the card- work again?