started from scratch and tried again - no luck

Do you have a manual for your device?

Ok try this, change LW's connecting & listening port to one between 49152 - 65535 such as 64049. After making the change, close LW, then re-open.

yes i have a manual, still no luck

So you tried the other ports also. Hmm ... :confused:

I wonder ... how about trying another gnutella program & seeing if you fare better? Phex: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showthread.php?t=55271

Or FrostWire: http://www.frostwire.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

Or BearShare Lite: http://www.filehippo.com/download_bearshare_lite/ (though you might want to check out version 5.1 & not 5.2)

I wouldn't even care about the firewall thingy. First, configure LW to use a port higher than 10000 like 10001 in Options->Advanced->Firewall. I'd also upgrade to latest LW beta (4.12.1) because it resolves issues about no connection. http://www.limewire.com/english/content/beta.shtml

Don't forget folks, usually when there is no connection, it is because either a program stops ALL access to internet to a program (ie Antivirus and some firewalls), LW bug or P2P filtering by ISP. NOT because of a normally functionning firewall, especially a hardware one.

So on no connection cases, look if a program SPECIFICALLY blocks internet access to a program (it is normally an antivirus or Windows integrated firewall). Acting like a normal firewall never stopped LW from connecting, albeit performance can be affected.

If LW works, then begin fiddling with router firewall to gain some performance, not before.

Ciao