ok so i've a fair bit about this mentioned but i have a question. is it essential to have a static ip? if so is there any way around it if ya isp doesn't support static ip's? i ask as i tried it the other day but on aol a static ip connot be done it seems

It isn't that important to have a global static IP (The AOL one), but it's really important to have a static IP on your computer.

I'm guessing you have XP

Press Start and then run (while conected to the internet)

in the box that pops up type cmd and press enter

now type ipconfig /all and press enter

now you will see your current IP, subnet mask etc. You will probably need to get the IPs of the DNS servers from your ISP though

Write all of those down before proceding

now go here for more info http://www.portforward.com/networking/staticip.htm

If you are having trouble setting up portforwarding in your router then try contacting the manufacturer of your router.

(note: Remember that in Limewire the forwarded port and the listening port should be the same port) In Limewire Tools-->Options-->Advanced-->Firewall Config

Hope this helps a bit

i tried all that but had to ask aol for the dns server and they said they don't support static ip's and wouldn't help any further

Are there no better isp options in your area? Forum members have come to the conclusion that aol in fact shapes bandwidth for heavy users & may even prevent them from connecting p2p programs at times (via a p2p filter.)

You really should try reading through the contract you signed when signing up with them. I thought that ISPs were obligated to provide the user with the info needed to get proper service from them

I don't know how it works, I presume AOL buys bandwidth from the local supplier. The question is if p2p bandwidth is being shaped, is it the local supplier or aol (who are paying for it) that are shaping.

Yes it would be a bit difficult to port forward if you can't use a static ip. I have a static ip but the public ip still changes from time to time. I believe this depends upon the isp as to frequency, etc.