Hi Lord:
Tried a number of things you suggested:
turned off Windows XP firewall (yes, XP is up-to-date)
turned off LW on the laptop
unplugged desktop and router and waited a minute; then plugged back in; tried LW again (still would not connect)
You said "try removing the present LW rules from within your firewall's config" -- how does one do this? Also, if I have the firewall turned off, does this matter?
Not sure if I am narrowing things down, or not.
Just wonder why so many people have problems connecting. Also, in the past, I have been connecting OK. Then, out of the blue no connection. Then, again, out of the blue I can connect again. Just not this time. Is Limewire a flawed program?
Thanks again for your help.

-- R.