My system information:

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name BOLE-1
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 6 GenuineIntel ~824 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 62710, 5/20/1999
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name BOLE-1\manoj
Time Zone India Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 256.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 163.50 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB

I use LW from a home PC.

Before WinXP SP2 I use to get “5. Excellent”.
After installing WinXP SP2 when I start LW, best I got was “1. Connecting”.

So with the help of the very helpful forum members I took the following steps:

1. I installed the "Event ID 4226" patch from http://www.lvllord.de/?url=tools

2. The first time Limewire runs, the Windows Firewall should prompt to enable 2 programs: "javaw" and "<installation_path>\LimeWire.exe". Enable these 2 apps to pass the firewall when prompted.

3. Per Limewire's own instructions (http://www.limewire.com/english/content/firewalls.shtml ) go to Start | Control Panel | Windows Firewall and "Add port..." 6346 twice with the default scope, once for TCP and once for UDP

4. Updated Limewire to the current Basic version 4.4.4.

5. Deleted the .Limewire folder from C:\Documents and Settings\manoj\.limewire.

6. Disabled the “Tips of the day” window.

7. Unchecked “Run on Startup” in Tools/Options/Connections

Now when I start LW, best I get is “2. Fair”. Otherwise it is just “1. Connecting” but now when I select a particular file download it gives a status “Need more resources”
And later status is “Waiting for stable connections”
Can anyone help?

After LW has been open for at least 30 mins, Do this test: Bug Report instructions & sample image Is it True/False?

Can you tell us your Connection type?
And Modem & Router brand name & model numbers?

Did you update your Java?: Java 1.5 (take the JRE)

Check your firewall settings within LW: Tools>Options>Advanced>Firewalls & select Use UPnP & press Apply.

Was pleasantly surprised by your immediate response but I may not be able to reply to you immediately. Please bear with me.

Before you could reply I also tried out this step suggested by a helpful forum member.
I deleted this key in the registry.

My Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wind
ows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache

C:\Progra~1\LimeWire\LimeWire.exe

But.....

Coming to your advice:

After LW was open for about 30 mins., LW stopped working. It gave an error message saying firewall or ISP may be culprit.

So I again restarted LW and immediately did the test you recommended the test: Bug Report instructions & sample image. It is False.

My connection type is Cablenet.

I don’t have a modem or a router at my home but I did trace the cable to a NWay SWITCH (PRONETTM 8-P) at the top of our building.

About Java 1.5, my machine was already up to date but still reinstalled Java 1.5 from the link you provided.

Did check my firewall settings within LW: Tools>Options>Advanced>Firewalls & “Use UPnP” was already selected.

It's got me stumped somewhat. An electronic switch is just a switch & no possible forwarding of a port would be possible to overcome it to my knowledge. Is SP2 absolutely necessary for you. I know M$ always say these are necessary updates but they are not always necessary. Unfortunately the SP2 patches haven't always fixed the issue for everyone. And there's been moer than one SP2 solution sugested. Some people have found the best answer was to uninstall SP2.

May I ask who your isp provider is?

It doesn't sound healthy that LW quit's after 30 mins. Do a search (using the OS search engine) of your computer to see if there's any remnants of other previous versions of LW still on your computer.

If you have a registry cleaner utility it might be worth giving it a run over you comp.

My ISP provider is “Sify Broadband”.

I did a search for any remnants for LW previous version but did not find anything.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any registry cleaner utility with me. Can you suggest any?

Further development:

I tried switching the Firewall off only when I use LW and Bingo.
Now when I start LW, I get is “3. Excellent” though it fluctuates sometimes between “Connecting” and “Excellent”. But still one question arises in my mind is:
Why even after switching off the Firewall the test you recommended:
“Bug Report & View Example” Received incoming this session” is still FALSE?

Any solution for that? It may improve my connectivity.

Thankyou

For a Registry Cleaner see: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...ry+and+cleaner
or a more direct page here: http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0....search=+Go%21+ or http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0-...49&dlsize=&ca= for others (& some free ones.)

You should have a firewall of some type for your own protection. Do you also have any anti-virus softwares? I have heard of AV softw's having a side-effect of blocking b/c they were not properly configured.

I'm starting to have 2nd thoughts about the n-way switch. I was getting confused with something else I think. After having just researched a little about it they can in fact be in process with nat firewalls depending on the device. DMZ setting the way to overcome it.

If I sound confused it's b/c I am. lol sorry!

Thank u Lord of the Ring. By the way what is DMZ?

Better late than never. (to thank u)

DMZ = DeMilitarized Zone

I'd only use it as a last resort. It will not give you the protection that a NAT firewall will.