System: Win 2000, Comcast cable connection

I just installed Limewire 2.9.8 [free version].
Upgraded from LW v2.1.3 free version, which was having connection problems also the past few weeks.

No problem w/the install itself on v 2.9.8 .

When opening LW, the window at the top says "Limewire: Running the Gnutella Network (Disconnected/No Files Available"

But when I click on the 'CONNECTIONS' tab, I see a bunch of hosts scrolling through; eventually, the list scrolls down to nothing/no hosts.

Any ideas? Pls also feel free to repond to me at:
herbwx@comcast.net

Thanx, Herb