You'd also need to restart LW. (oops I'm slow ... good you solved that part!)

Can you give us a total description of your set up:
1. OS version? (eg: Windows 98)
2. What firewalls you have?
3. How much ram?
4. Hard Disk space available?
5. Connection type? (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.)
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers?
7. Where are you trying to connect from (home, school, work, etc.)?
8. What version of Limewire (LW) & Java do you have? (Go to LW's menu Help>About LW...) Will show both LW & Java version.
9. Who is your isp provider (Internet Service Provider)?
10. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up.
11. Download a magnet link from here & tell us what happens: http://www.magnetmix.com/video.shtml

thanks, yeah that's how I got the Firewall icon to disappear. but I can try it again

see above answers

Are you sure that why you can't download isn't just a license issue?
License

Give it time for uploads to appear. Within LW go tools > options > bug reports > view example. Scroll down to Recieved Incoming This Session... is it true or false? If it's true, people can upload no probs.