I finally was able to successfully troubleshoot my LimeWire connection problem. For me, the problem was having had installed the free ZoneLabs firewall. After I uninstalled it due to it slowing my system down too much, my LimeWire troubles, among other software troubles, began to surface. My brother-in-law was able to suggest to me the remedy that ultimately proved effective -- reinstall the ZoneLabs firewall but just keep in running inoperative in the background. Apparantly, if you uninstall ZoneLabs it takes out more than just the ZoneLabs programs. It takes some essential internet stuff as well.

In any event, if you're having almost any problem as we've all discussed here, it might not be a bad idea for you to consider that possible scenario, and try reinstalling any thing you recently removed prior to your software troubles. For me, it was ZoneLabs, but I would imagine that it could be anything. Good luck!