The only thing I can think of is that you had already successfully created a static IP, you see you only ever have to do the static IP once, that's why you where more than likely having so many problems, so now all you need to do is port forward for each application the Nat Firewall blocks...
So maybe when you set up the port forwarding for limewire it worked but you still had the Java issue and your preference folder needed to be refreshed....
Why don't you try one of your games now and just try opening up the port and skip the Static IP part...
If you need a link let me know and I'll see if I can find it for you...