Hi ADH,

Which version of LW were you originally having trouble with? To use any version of LW 5, you'll need to have Java 6 installed.

Some people have found that using this older version of Java 6 solved a few problems: Archive: Download Java Platform Standard Edition (Java SE) 6u5

Are you making sure that you only have one version of Java installed at a time? Make sure to remove any other versions via Add/Remove Programs, before installing another Java.

Otherwise check out this thread (click on link), there are some other things to try apart from reinstalling Java: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/331559-post2.html
Even though that post's in response to someone whose LW wouldn't open at all, something there might also work for you? Deleting LW's preferences folder can help with some weird issues!

If nothing helps, try installing LW to a different account & see whether it opens without freezing.