Hi, I'm really hoping someone can help me out there because it is imperative that I get music - I need it for work!!!!

I have been using Limewire for a few years now and have not had any problems, then all of a sudden, I couldn't search anymore! When I type in a search, it says it's searching but nothing comes up, even the most common ones that I have successfully downloaded before (like Michael Jackson). I tried uninstalling and re-installing newest version, but it still doesn't work and have updated Java. I've also got a banner that pops up everytime I hit "search" that never used to be there: "Only search results with a {picture of a padlock} are official Lime Wire LLC communications."

I'm not sure if it has something to do with my firewall or not. I've tried disabling my firewall and then trying Limewire again, but still the same problem.

Please Help!!!

Here is my info as best I can answer:
1. OS version? Win XP
2. What firewalls you have? Windows and Norton
3. How much ram? no idea sorry
4. Hard Disk space available? don't know
5. Connection type? (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.) broadband - but using a router for my laptop
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers? Linksys 2.4 GHz router, 54 Mbps
7. Where are you trying to connect from (house, appartment complex, school, student accomodation, work, etc.)? house
8. What version of LimeWire (LW) & Java do you have? (Go to LW's menu Help>About LW...) Will show both LW & Java version. LW 4.12.15, Java 1.6.0_01
9. Who is your ISP (Internet Service Provider)? persona
10. Do this simple test for us. Using your browser go here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ The page should say 'Your test worked!'. What happens when you go there? Your test worked
11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up. don't think so
12. Is this a your 1st try at LW or is this a new problem with an experienced user. new problem with experienced user
13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface? sometimes - it has brick wall at first, but later goes away
http://www.gnutellaforums.com/attach...1&d=1158099342
14. For those using a modem/router, how is your modem/router set up...are you port forwarding or is UPnP enabled? UPnP
15. What security programs are you using (antivirus etc)? Some people might not be aware that their security suite includes a firewall Norton Antivirus and I believe Windows as well?
16. What country are you living in? Sometimes there are ISPs with the same name in more than one country (eg Clearwire in the USA & also in Ireland). Canada

Don't use Norton & XP firewalls together, they'll conflict with each other. Configure the Norton firewall to allow LW & disable the Windows firewall

The orange warning banner with the padlock was added because there's a bogus LW update showing up in search results. It's a 75.7 KB .exe & shows up as "Urgent LimeWire update - download & install now". If people download that thing they could end up infected. To try to prevent people from downloading a dangerous file, the warning banner was added to LW's interface.
The padlock symbol doesn't apply to music, movies etc.

Are you connected properly (how many green connection bars do you see)?
If your connection is ok, try this: Problems with the search

And if that's no help, delete LW's preferences folder when LW's properly closed. See point 3 here & also point 2 if you've used older versions of LW in the past (there could be a folder in either location).
Fixes for LimeWire
This will kill all of your settings within options, you'll have to go back through afterwards & reset things.

how do I close down Windows firewall? I can't find where to do it on my computer?!

Go to Control Panel, double click on Windows Firewall...you'll see the option to turn the Win firewall on or off.

Ok, I have tried everything above and still no luck! What used to take a matter of seconds to pull up at least some files, now doesn't come up at all! I have between 3 to 5 bars for connection and no firewall so I really do not understand why it won't find anything when I search?!!!!!

Are you sure that you deleted the preferences folder properly? It's just that deleting that folder has fixed this problem for quite a few people. Remember that LW has to be properly closed before deleting the prefs.

Try the latest LW Beta version (4.13.14) & see it that behaves any differently. You'll find a link for the Beta download on the usual LW download page.
Lime Wire » Download LimeWire

What version of Java were you using when things were working well? Some people have had problems with Java 1.6.0_01...you could try using this version of Java instead. Use the JRE offline installer & remove your current Java version(s) before you install this one.
Archive: Download Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0 Update 11

If that doesn't help & you want to go back to Java 1.6.0_01, find it from the list of archived versions here
Archive: Java[tm] Technology Products Download

Thank you for the help Birdy!
The Beta version you linked me to...worked!!!!!
I'm not sure why it works and the other one doesn't but, I'm not going to question it!
I had Java 5 first, then when I downloaded the newest version of LW, got the 1.6 Java as well. Got rid of the 1.6 and reverted back to the 5.0 and still nothing. I believe I deleted the prefs folder properly. I made sure LW was closed down completely, then deleted the file. When I reopened LW, I had to redo the settings like "English" and where I want my files stored and such. So, I think that was what I was supposed to do.

Anyways, thank you kindly for the link. Hopefully I will not have to worry about problems anymore!!!!

Ok...unfortunately, all problems not solved!!!!

Now it'll give me search results, but when I go to download, it says it'll take like 4 days! Then it'll say "need more sources" even though there is like 50 or more sources for that song. I believe I've seen this problem posted elsewhere, but didn't want to post in a bunch of different threads. I will look around to see if I can find out what to do to fix the problem, but in the meantime, can you please help me?!!!
I have between 4 or 5 bars of connectivity and no firewall.
Thanks!

Also, have looked to see for "fake" file downloads. One song I went to download only had 4 sources and still the same problem. I read that I should stay away from the higher host numbers, but when I get the same problem after only 4 hosts, then why won't it download?

Sorry to ask you to do this (don't hate me) but can you delete your preferences folder again? Also make sure to look for a folder in the old location of C:\Documents and Settings\your username\.limewire

Do a test. Search for an old song (2 years plus) & try to download a file with 4 or 5 sources, or try a single modem source.

If you like, send me a PM & I'll give you a link to download an older version of LW, we'll see if that makes any difference.