Can't connect
 

OS: Microsoft Windows Home Basic
Firewalls: Windows Firewall
RAM: Unknown. I can't find it in System Information.
Hard Disk Space available: 29.9 GB of 73.0 GB free
Connection Type: Cable Modem, directly connected to my Laptop using Ethernet Cable
Modem: Motorola SB5101 Surfboard Cable Modem
Router: Unknown. Can't find information.
Connection Location: Apartment.
Limewire: Version 4.14.10
Java: Version 1.6.0-oem
ISP: Cox Communications
Browser Test: Got a message saying 'Your test worked'
Sharing Connection: No.
First Try: Sorta. I've used Limewire 3 or 4 times since I've downloaded it, but it's stopped working.
Firewall Icon: I see an icon showing a Firewall in my Limewire Interface.
Modem Setup: Not sure what the examples mean. My Television and Cable Modem are connected to the same Cable Jack via a splitter. I then use an Ethernet cable to connect the Modem directly to my Laptop. My Laptop handles the rest.
Security Programs: Webroot Spy Sweeper, Trend Micro Anti-Virus
My Laptop is a Toshiba Satellite A135.
Windows Firewall shows a working exception for Limewire, so from what I can tell, it should be working. I've also been able to download 3 or 4 songs with no problem. Now, however, I'm unable to connect. Could you help me figure out why I can't download anything?

Make sure that LW's being allowed through the Windows firewall.

Try the advice here: all of a sudden will not connect (a fix to try)
Start off by deleting LW's preferences folder & changing Java versions.
You'll know if you've deleted the preferences folder properly...when you start LW, you'll go through the setup wizard again & all the settings within LW's options will have changed.

Limewire is being allowed through. I checked the Windows Firewall, and the Exceptions box for Limewire is checked, so it is being allowed through.

I checked the thread you linked to, and while I can find the .limewire folder, the instructions are very confusing, and I can't figure out what to do from there. Do I delete the entire folder, or something inside the folder, or what? A step-by-step guide would be far more helpful than what I'm seeing in the thread you're linking to.

The folder you're linking to is so concerned about getting people to be able to view hidden files that it fails to properly explain what to do after that. I'd appreciate a step-by-step list of exactly what I need to do after that, and what I should see happen when I do it. It's hard to know if I've done something right when I don't know what's supposed to happen when I do it. I'm about ready to delete Limewire entirely and just forget about it.

And I'm sorry for the Double Post, but I would really appreciate some help, as I'm about 5 minutes from saying '**** this ****' and just deleting the entire program and never downloading it again, despite how useful it was for getting stuff onto my iPod.

Within the thread that I linked to, did you see this:Fixes for LimeWire ?

It's a good guide to deleting the preferences folder in both the old and new locations. Screenshots included.

When deleting the preferences folder, you delete the entire folder. If you also have a preferences folder in the new location of C:\Documents and Settings\your username\Application Data\LimeWire you'll see that I've given pretty basic instructions for deleting that.

Again, I'll ask:

DO I DELETE THE ENTIRE .limewire FOLDER, OR SOMTHING INSIDE IT. THERE IS NO FOLDER LABELED 'PREFERENCES' TO DELETE.

Please, take a little time to actually help me, instead of just directing me to threads that use language I can't even understand.

Is it stuck on one bar and says "Starting Connection"?? over in the bottom left corner?

Exactly. It's being allowed through Windows Firewall, so I have no idea what's wrong. And birdy's doing nothing but referring me to threads full of technobabble I can't understand. I've only got a high-school education, and they don't really teach this sort of thing in high school.