Limewire stays on "starting connection" and will not connect. My Internet connection is working fine.

I have tried all of the correction methods located throughout this whole forum and still the problem exsits.

Here are my SYSTEM DETAILS

1. OS version? Windows XP Media Edition
2. What firewalls you have? Windows Firewall and Norton Internet Security
3. How much ram? 2.00GB
4. Hard Disk space available? 192845MB Free disk space
5. Connection type? Broadband
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers? Speedtouch
7. Where are you trying to connect from? House
8. What version of LimeWire (LW) & Java do you have? Limewire version 4.16.2 and Java 1.6.0_03
9. Who is your ISP? AOL
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? It said 'Your test worked'
11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up. No
12. Is this a your 1st try at LW or is this a new problem with an experienced user. Experienced User
13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface? Yes
14. For those using a modem/router, how is your modem/router set up...are you port forwarding or is UPnP enabled? UPnP Enabled
15. What security programs are you using (antivirus etc)? Norton Protection Center - Norton Internet Security
16. What country are you living in? United Kingdom

Don't use the Windows & Norton firewalls together, they'll conflict
Turn off the Win firewall & configure the Norton to allow LW.

What's the model of your SpeedTouch?

Have you only had connection problems since updating to 4.16.2 or did you have the same problem with earlier versions?

Have you been through this thread (I guess you have, since you said that you'd tried all correction methods)?
If LW Will Not Connect

When you deleted LW's preferences folder & replaced the gnutella.net file, did you make sure that LW was completely closed first (check in Task Manager)? Did you also look for a preferences folder in the old location (.limewire)? Did you restart your computer afterwards?

When you tried other Java versions, did you make sure to remove any versions currently installed on your computer, before installing another version?

Have you tried port forwarding for your router?

What's the model of your SpeedTouch?
SpeedTouch 9B5DAC

Have you only had connection problems since updating to 4.16.2 or did you have the same problem with earlier versions? Limewire used to be able to connect, however I do not remember when it did not connect properly, sorry.

Have you been through this thread (I guess you have, since you said that you'd tried all correction methods)?
If LW Will Not Connect Yes but I went through it a second time, just now, to be sure and after restarting my computer the problem still exists.

When you deleted LW's preferences folder & replaced the gnutella.net file, did you make sure that LW was completely closed first (check in Task Manager)? Did you also look for a preferences folder in the old location (.limewire)? Did you restart your computer afterwards? Yes in all cases above

When you tried other Java versions, did you make sure to remove any versions currently installed on your computer, before installing another version? Yes I did

Have you tried port forwarding for your router?
Could you please explain how I might do this...

Look on your SpeedTouch & see whether there's another number showing (something like 510, 530, 536 etc), have a look underneath too.

If you can find your router model in the list here, then choose LimeWire from the list of programs ...
PortForward.com - Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall
... you'll find step-by-step instructions for port forwarding
Don't forget to set up a static IP address if that's part of the instructions. LW's listening port, port in the 'manual port forward' box & port forwarded within the router setup should all be the same number.

Go back to the gnutella.net file that you replaced, hover your mouse over it...what size is that file?

You could also try changing ports. In LW tools > options > advanced > firewall config. Change LW's listening port to 65000 (or any port in the range of 49152 - 65535) > apply > ok.
If you change ports within LW, you'll also have to change the port number forwarded within your router.

I just went through the steps again and it was when I deleted LW's preferences folder & replaced the gnutella.net file, I restart my computer afterwards and it worked

Thank you so much for your help and guidance


Unfortunately, there is still one more problem present

I know this problem will be posted in the wrong section, but your advice has been second to none and so I thought you might know a solution

When downloading, the status for the majority of the files says "connecting (*** hosts tried)" the * representing a number that keeps counting up into the thousands. The connection bar is at three bars and somtimes at excellent connection the same happens!

Thank you for your time

The last problem you have sounds like Fake files. See Beware of Fake files in search results. If it were me I'd remove it from the download window. You will never download it.