Strong reasons to believe I have no virus on my machine - even though I have absolute zero protection.
One - just formatted the PC (some weeks back)
Two - been with my ISP long enough to know that there aint no viruses coming thru (though past performance isn't exactly future guarantee)
Three - Have access to the best of the best antivirus programs and antispyware programs (None have ever detected any virus on my PC)

I pretty much rule out the possibility of a virus - With the protection I (usually) have on my PC, it's virtually impossible for any virus to get in. I must also admit, being totally naked, I could've been infected the in last two days - and only a scan will determine for sure. But generally, my system seems top gun! Including my internet connection.

I may have come across a "possible cause" - My internet service itself !!! And this maybe - just maybe the very problem many others are facing. Strange thing to explain though.

I use a cable internet service - 24/7 online - though the speed is only 48kbps (or 6kBps) - I am able to get online, surf the internet, download using download managers, and generally use everything on the net - at a very constant and dependable speed of about 45kbps.

However, since yesterday evening LimeWire (and since LimeWire started giving problems, Shareazaa too) is unable to connect (or takes minutes to connect). Download speeds (if any) are down to less than 1KBps. It would appear as though my ISP is blocking P2Ps.

However, I have been on two ISPs for 5 years and so I know very well that none of them bother to block P2Ps (or any other appz). This problem of not being able to connect (or establish a strong connection) has only begun since yesterday - and I did check with another user on my same ISP - he's facing this same issue. His browser and other programs run fine - using max. bandwith possible. But LimeWire is unable to establish a connection.

Rather than instantly pointing fingers at the ISPs, I think it would be wiser to learn what is happening here - and what is causing LimeWire to behave so. My ISP has been having connectivity issues of late - which were causing an extreme dip is connection speeds and also frequent disconnects. However, LimeWire would connect to the network in an instant without any errors (and go full 5 bars). Downloading would occur the minute I queue a file for download - and would utilize max possible bandwith. But his problems seemed to resolve yesterday, giving my my actual line speed maxed and the disconnections too have stopped. At this same time, LimeWire has ceased to connect to the network - thinks it's behind some firewall - and even when I have max connectivity, fails to connect (shows only one or two bars!!)

Something tells me this internet connection of mine is what's bothering LimeWire - and other users out there. I am not sure what exactly about the connection is bothering LimeWire - is it some "quality" or the speed or what?

Any ideas?

Regards, AG