Your first post is still there

Yep, you'll need to have a static IP address set up before doing port forwarding. That's just a static IP that you set up on your computer...not one that your ISP provides

Here are good instructions for port forwarding for your router. A link to instructions for setting up a static IP is included in these (it's an orange link).
Port Forwarding for the Linksys WRT54GSv4

Just in case, you could also try this older version of Java - some people have had probs with the latest 2 Java updates! Download the JRE offline installer & remove any other Java versions before you install this one.
Archive: Download Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0 Update 11

thanks birdy. I found a temporary fix from one of the links you provided me on your first response. Turns out, Mcafee isn't compatible with limewire when you have windows vista. for those of you who have the same problem as me, try this out.

To narrow down where the issue lies, could you try the following:

- click Start
- click Run
- type: services.msc
- click OK
- right-click on the McAfee Redirector service
- click Stop
- try LimeWire again to see if the issue still occurs

Note: don't forget to Start the service again after testing (or reboot the PC).

* MY Note: This is only a temporary fix, since you're basically turning Mcafee off. I stopped the McAfee redirecter service, booted up limewire, got a TURBO charged connection, Turned the McAfee redirecter service back ON, and the limewire connection is still present.

I guess I will have to use this technique from now on; that is, until someone could find a permanent fix.

Did you see the post about trying the McAfee 2008 Beta?
http://www.gnutellaforums.com/278483-post16.html

That might be worth a try (depends if you hate Betas I guess)?

I might just get Norton later on in the future. My mcafee subscription has been overdue and they keep bugging me to renew it.

If norton let's me connect to limewire without any hassles, i'll buy that one instead of renewing mcafee.