Cannot connect... please help!
 

1. what OS version? (eg: Windows 98, XP,OSX, Vista) XP
2. What firewalls do you have? Kerio Personal & Windows, both off
3. How much ram? A lot, I dunno
4. Hard Disk space available? dunno
5. Connection type (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.)? bb
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers? lol, I don't know without looking, but that's not the problem. It's always worked before
7. Where are you trying to connect from (house, appartment complex, school, student accomodation, work, etc.)? house; router is downstairs and I can use the internet just fine
8. What version,LimeWire & Java,Go to L/W's Help/About L/W, THIS show both LW & Java version.? LW v4.12.6 & Java v1.5.0_09
9. Who is your ISP provider (Internet Service Provider)? Pipex
10. Do this test click here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ should say 'Your test worked!. What happens? "Your test worked!"
11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up. not currently; everyone else is in bed
12. Is this your 1st try at LW, or is this a new problem with an experienced user? No, I am an experienced user. This is a new problem I've just started having
13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface? Yep, dunno why since my firewalls are all disabled
14. Have you given full permisions for LimeWire to pass through your Firewall? yep
15. XP users, Please state XP firewall on or off.? off

Never mind, I fixed it by changing the Manual Port Forward to 45000! I would advise anyone with the same problem to try this.

I used to get one bar on connection, active downloads would continue downloading (but at veeerry slow speeds) but I could not get the search function to return any results.

Switching the Manual Port Forward to a number between 45000 and 60000 worked a treat! 45000 was the first number I tried, so it might work for you too!