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?