I did everything in the WINDOWS XP INTERNET CONNECTION FIREWALL list.
but i still have the firewall icon at the bottom, and i dont know what the linksys thing is for the next step.

Can you tell us your details please?
System details - help us to help you

1. OS version is windows 98
2. What firewalls you have?-i dont know?
3. How much ram?-i dont know?
4. Hard Disk space available?-i dont know?
5. Connection type is modem
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers-i dont know?
7. Where are you trying to connect from-home
8. What version of LimeWire-4.9.33 (LW) & Java -1.5.0_09
9. Who is your ISP provider- internet explorer
10.it says "your test worked" when i go to the link
11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up.-i dont really know?
12. Is this a your 1st try at LW or is this a new problem with an experienced user.-i've been using LW for roughly a year, and this is the first time it hasn't been working. but i dont know anything about LW technical stuff.
13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface? YES!!! it's horrible!

i can tell you 2, 3, 4, 6, and 11 if there's a way to find out on the computer.
i just don't really know how to get to it.

2. Have you installed anything like ZoneAlarm, Kerio, Norton firewall (NPF), Comodo, Sygate...these are all software firewalls. Look in your system tray, do you see any icons for any firewalls (sorry, don't know win 98 at all)? Have a look also in add/remove programs...any firewall stuff there?

3. Start > right click on My Computer > properties. You'll see how much RAM.

4.Start > My computer > right click local disk (C) > properties. You'll see how much free space.

5 & 6. Do you mean modem speed (as in dial-up) or do you have a modem that your comp plugs into? If you have an external modem, look for any brand or model (look underneath the device too).

7. Is home a house, apartment, student accommodation?

9. Your ISP is your internet service provider...who do you pay for your internet use?

11. Are you on a network of some kind or is your the only computer in your home? Do you use any other file sharing programs?

What has changed since you were last able to use LW? Any updates, new programs installed, change of ISP, moved house etc etc?

2. i dont think i have any
3.i have 17.2 GB free space and 18GB used up
5+6- i have an external modem but i cant read the brand or model
7.it's a house
9.um i dont know who my parents pay for my internet use
11.i have another comp i nthe house. and i dont use any other file sharing programs.
not much changed from the last time i was able to use LW

256 MB of RAM

You might have to find out from your parents the make & model of your modem, they've probably got a manual around somewhere if there's no writing visible on the modem. Also the ISP.

You could try deleting LW's preferences folder when LW's closed (check in task manager to see it's properly closed). See points 2 & 3 below. You're using a very old version, so unless you've also installed & used a newer version recently, your prefs folder should be in the location described in point 2.
Fixes for LimeWire

Have you thought of updating to a newer version? LW's up to 4.12.6 now. It's really up to you but sometimes people do have trouble with older versions. If you love your 4.9.33 & still have the installer, you could save it somewhere safe & that way you can revert to it later on if you like. Updating to a newer version will uninstall the old one, so unless you've saved your 4.9.33 installer, you'd lose that version if you updated.

You should really get a firewall. There are some good free ones around. It's a bit dangerous to be using the internet without some protection for your computer There are some free ones within the link below
http://www.norbiesworld.co.uk/Downloads/c=4.html

and some more info about free security products within this thread
http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...irusprotection

-thanks so much for all the help that you gave me, i really dont know anything about LW and stuff.
but its really late so i think i'm gonna go
again, thanks for all the help!