Difficult connection problem...I've tried everything!
 

I have LimeWire 4.2.3, and I can't connect. When I open LimeWire, I get this error message:

"Your machine does not appear to have an active Internet Connection or a firewall is blocking LimeWire from accessing the internet. Please check your connection of firewall settings and then select "Connect" from the File menu to connect LimeWire to the network."

I'm 100% sure I'm connected to the internet, as I often try to connect while using AOL. My OS is Windows XP, and the only firewalls I have are Norton and the Windows firewall. I tried manually allowing the Gnutella Network in both firewalls, and when that didn't work, I simply shut all the firewalls down, and it still wouldn't connect. I've uninstalled and even re-downloaded and reinstalled LimeWire, and I can't get it to connect. Help!!!

This should be of help, I think: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...threadid=23895

Thanks, but I actually am still using AOL 8.0...is there a firewall included with that and is there a way to disable it?

I have no idea. I've never used AOL myself. (I don't even know what it looks like)
Go to Tools, Options and then Bug Report and click for an example. Scroll down to where it says: "Recieved incoming this session". If it says false, then a firewall is indeed blocking your access.
Do you have a router (very often these have their own firewalls)?

Double-check your firewalls, particularly your Norton. See 1st post here: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...threadid=30505

Also as Murasame said, please provide us with your modem & router brand name & model no.'s so we can check to see whether it uses NAT which can block a lot of port. If yes, we can show you how to allow LW thru.

YOu have wind XP, do you have SP2? We don't advise installing it. It has absolutely no benefit to individual home users & can cause many connection issues.

At times I've been able to connect and download a few files, but this has been completely random. Every other time I just get the same error.

I'm relatively sure I don't have SP2, although I'm not positive...I'm assuming I'd know if I did.

I checked the bug report and it said false, so apparently there is a firewall I'm unaware of. What exactly was the information you needed and how can I access it?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Edit: I just checked again and now it says true under "received incoming this session." However, I'm still unable to connect and I have no idea what this means...

Well one of my questions has been ansered yes & no & the other not answered so it's up to you Murasame. We have a lot of faith in you to delve out the hidden mysteries & problems

But you can try this: First update your Java: Java 1.4.2 (click on link)
& then update to LW 4.2.4 : LIMEWIRE BASIC v. 4.2.4 (choose english installer only) But install Java update 1st!!!.

It appears as though updating Java and getting LW 4.2.4 ended my connection problem. However, every file that I try to download is labelled to be corrupted by LW and when I try to play them (they're mp3's I would assume to be about 4 minutes long) the media player says the file is like 30 minutes long and the entire track plays completely silent. Is it just a case of extremely bad luck (as in just happening to download corrupted files), or is there something else wrong?

gnutella fallout
 

I've been struggling with these seemingly random fallouts and that same message, as well as getting 'waiting for stable connections' in the download file window. Been driving me batty, one minute it's downloading multiple files at good speeds and the rest of the time it won't connect to a single host, but will likewise, occationally connect to a previous download in progress. I even got the you appear not to be connected etc while it was downloading files!
A tech friend of mine has reported something that may or may not be related, but he's had trouble recently with machines in networks NOT being able to resolve DNS addresses for no apparent reason. Some machines in the network will and others won't, and he cannot seem to find out why.

All this makes me wonder if there is something going on with the net itself lately.

BTW. my connection is 2 mb and has tested out ok, when my firewall is on, it's configured correctly, java updated...will upgrade to 4.2.4 (have just installed 4.2.3 a few days ago) and the randomness of t his seems to indicate the problem is not on my machine, but external.

Otherwise, limewire often crashes suddenly, and it seems like it may be when the network 'drys up' suddenly.

Natergratr: Everybody has had issues with dwnlding music from T3 sources. Be wary of them. If possible try to choose an alternative sources such as cable/modem. 30 min songs is typical of a corrupted song from a T3 source. They generally don't have any sound & might not even be able to be opened. Oh & when & if you do a Bug Report it's best to wait until LW settles down.

JMRM: If you're going thru a network then you'll probably find there's firewalls & possibly a nat router between you & the net. These can affect LW's performance. Force ip for a start: Force IP instructions & sample image If possible, can you get access to your router? If you have a firewall on your comp. configure it here: http://www.limewire.com/english/content/firewalls.shtml

been there, done that
 

We had this discussion a couple weeks back...it suddenly goes down, then comes back, then goes down. I'm on a home network w/ cable modem. My ISP does not block gnutella. It is not an issue with my home network, it is something external, but I don't know what. I was just mentioning the network dns issues because my tech friend asked me yesterday if I'd noticed anything unusual in my corner of the world and he said it 'could' be related. Limewire has been more down than up for the last month or so. Most of the time, when I start it, it will not connect to ANY hosts, yet it is still, sometimes, able to download pre-existing downloads. And then suddenly, it all opens up for a few hours at a time and runs smoothly.

The other thing is that items with even 30 or more sources aren't even connecting when usually I at least get a 'nibble' or trickle. I'm not generally downloading mp3s, but tv shows I try to keep up with from abroad.

JMRM: Are you still having intermittant connections? Some isp's will check the line/modem to see if there's a problem.

You can do a no. of checks of your connection here: http://www.broadbandreports.com/tools But to get the full range you need to become a paid member. I'm presently an unpaid member. lol

You use a nexswitch SD050s b/w 3 machines. I'm wondering if this requires port forwarding. Are you aware whether it can or not? All I could find was this:
Port forwarding for Unex IS050S which might be similar (same brand.)

I wonder if there's something failing in your network setup.

Have you checked your cable & wiring interfacing/connections to be sure none of them have ben bent or damaged in any way.

I'm not sure about the DNS addresses problems.

Although it's not compulsory to share, you can usually get better dwnlds if people are uplding from you & if you share more than a certain no. of files (some people filter out those that share less than a certain no.)

net connection is fine. gnutella variable
 

My net connection is fine. I've checked it with a local source. I have a 2 mbit line via cable and it tests out now as between 1600-2000 on speed fairly consistantly depending on what I'm running. I've also run the port blocking test...no problem. The bug report tells me that the port is stable, but I sometimes get a message anyway that the connection is NOT stable.

No, no port forwarding. IP is dynamically passed out by ISP and comes in as either a 62.xxx.xxx.xxx or an 80.xxx.xxx.xxx, not 192. Have also tried forced IP etc...but nothing is showing a consistant change/improvement. I also tested the connection directly to the cable modem/bypassed the switch...same deal...my cables are fine. Even went in and rewired the wall connection to make sure the ends of the wires weren't damaged (actually got some improvement on net speed, but no reall diff to gnutella)

At the moment, it's working again, but a few hours ago, it was hopeless....this morning it was working almost full speed. I've also installed 4.2.4 instead of 4.2.3 since this afternoon, so we'll see if it stays 'connected' over the weekend or if the same mess repeats itself.

I have sharing turned on, but have turned off partial sharing as to have control over what is shared. I try to limit it to tv shows as they are a bit less controversial to 'share'.