how do I improve the buffering problem when use the media player or real player to listen to online streaming radio?

[princejoe]

Hi, I listen to lots of online radio by using either window media player or real player, depends which one is better handling the buffering. I didn't really have a problem using the older version of media player(I think it was the one before 8.0) in win 98se. Altho I was using and am still using dial up, but the buffering didn't take that long. But as I installed win XP pro, I found both media player 8.0 and real player( I downloaded the newest one) are much worst than before, it takes forever for the buffer to load, imagine u waited 1 minute for the buffer to load to listen for 10 secs of online radio then another 3 or so buffer loading.... I was wondering if there are any ways of make it either player performs better when I listen to online radio? I know if I go for cable or DSL, the result would be much better, but I don't want to spend that kind of money each month. If there is no way to improve it, can I use a earlier version of window media player(before 8.0) in win XP pro? Thanks