Yahoo DSL slow with router...

[puppykitten]

My landlord uses Yahoo DSL service, and we share with a router (Netgear 108M), it shows wierd behavior. The response time is very long, while the continuous transmission speed is fine (with bandwidth test, arond 2M -- 3M). I was trying to install a Linksys router, but failed to make it work. DOes anyone know what kind of identity recognition do they use? PPPoE or simply MAC cloning can solve it? ALso how can initial response time is so bad, while continuous transmission speed is pretty good? Thanks for your hints!