Greetings BritneeL17

I use SpySweeper it is not a firewall. It just checks your machine for spyware.

I normally don't use it, as I have found spybot search and destroy does an effective job for this, and is free.

Are you running sp2 with your windowsXP. It has a firewall that you may have to configure to allow LW access. Instructions here.http://www.limewire.com/english/content/firewalls.shtml

What is the modem type and model no.?

It also might be a good idea to udate your Java.