You'll need to configure your firewalls to allow LW & Java full access: http://www.limewire.com/english/content/firewalls.shtml

Give LW some time to connect. Depending on how many incomplete files & shared files you have it can take a while. Wait for it to settle down before attempting to search, etc.That may take 10-25 mins. depending on the above.

Piece of advice, don't use the Resume/Find Resources function on too many files b/c that will cause the files to queue for much, much longer & affect LW's connection quality.

Here's some other tips: A well set-up LW can start to automatically continue its dwnlding after it's settled down perhaps 2 out of 3 times you open LW. Optimising LW & Maximising Uplds & Dwnlds A (1st post only) & also Part B which is even better & last & least are search & dwnld hints. The latter one I've been thinking about re-writing for some time. That's just for playing it safe. eg- I show all speeds & qualities.