You use dialup thru your mother's workplace. That might be the issue. Dialup doesn't offer great speeds (5-7 KB/s up/down.) If someone else is using the same connection at the same time then the available bandwidth for your LW will be very limited (& vice versa for the other person.)

Firewall configuration for LW can be found here: http://www.limewire.com/english/content/firewalls.shtml

Do this test: Bug Report instructions & sample image Is the result True/False? If it's false then you're firewalled. This won't necessarily stop you from downlding though.

Some hints:
* After opening LW wait 10 to 20 mins before using. Let it settle down 1st.

* Don't use the Resume button on all incomplete files. This can have side-fx such as affect LW's connection quality. May queue your files for much much longer. This will also stress LW & your comp. If you use Resume/Find sources then just apply it to a couple or so at one time. On dial up perhaps just one at a time.