Hi mick360,

Your version of LW doesn't have a firewall indicator. In LW go tools > options > bug reports > view example. Scroll down to 'recieved incoming this session'...is it true or false? If it's false, you can't recieve incoming connections from other computers & there's probably a firewall problem.

First thing to try: Delete LW's preferences folder when LW's properly closed. the preferences folder is located in C:\Documents and Settings\your username\.limewire
This will kill all of your settings within options, you'll have to go back through afterwards & reset things. If you're not sure of your settings, go through LW's tools > options & write them all down, so that you can reset things later.

Also make sure that you have LW set to connect when the application starts...tools > options > connections. Make sure 'connect on startup' is ticked.

Make sure that the XP firewall's configured to allow LW.
User Cant Connect - LimeWire

Next, try installing this version of Java. Use the JRE offline installer & remove your current Java version before you install this one.
Archive: Download Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0 Update 11

Have you tried connecting with a later version of LW? The latest stable release is 4.12.15 & the latest Beta version is 4.13.13. You can download either version at the official site here.
Lime Wire » Download LimeWire
If you don't have the 4.8.1 installer saved, you'll lose that version if you install another version of LW.

I can't find any much info about your modem (the Next G network is a bit of a mystery to me...I'm not a Telstra customer), so I'm not sure whether yours has an internal firewall. I'm guessing not. You could always call BigPond & ask whether there's an internal firewall & if so, how to port forward for your modem.

Damn...I'm too slow

Hey Birdy, deleted preferences, windows firewall has l/w as an exception.
Reads false to "receive incoming this session.
l/w is set to connect when application starts.
For some reason I cant download the java, when I click it says page cannot be diisplayed. I have deleted the old java.
I havnt tried with another version of limewirepro but if I cant get this one to work I will probably have to purchase one.
Any other ideas? Will ring big pond tommorow.
Thanks..Mick

Not sure about the problem downloading Java...try using a different browser.

Don't go & buy Pro until you know LW's going to work for you! Download one of the basic versions (either the stable release or Beta), they're free

When LW's open, go to file > disconnect. Wait a minute or 2 then file > connect.

You could also try changing ports. In LW tools > options > advanced > firewall config. Change LW's listening port to 64049 (or something in the range of 49152 - 65535) > Apply > ok. Restart LW & see if anything good happens.