Madeline,

Delete LW's preferences folder when LW's properly closed. See point 3 below (also point 2 if you've used much older versions of LW in the past...you could have a folder in both locations).
Fixes for LimeWire
This will kill all of your settings within options. You'll have to go back through & reset things afterwards.
If that doesn't help, please give us your details.
System details - help us to help you

debeth & Trance-Canada,
If you're using Java 6, try going back to this older version. Use the JRE offline installer. Uninstall your current version of Java before you install 1.5.0_11.
Java SE Downloads - Previous Release - JDK 5

Delete LW's preferences folder when LW's properly closed. See the instructions & link I gave Madeline.

If none of that helps, try changing compatibility. That's point 5 in the 'fixes' link.