If this is posted in the wrong forum, please let me know and move to the proper place.

I've used several previous version of LimeWire without failing to connect even once. Since upgrading to version 4.16, it randomly refuses to connect until I replace the gnutella.net file with one from a previous version of LW. I haven't found a pattern to the failure like every 10th time or when there is a browser opened before it, etc. I have no file corruption issues with any other application.

I've opened the gnutella.net file that fails in a text editor and compared it to the default I use to replace it. I can't find anything that seems odd such as garbled text, unprintable characters or missing EOF. However, it's clear that the file is modified by LW. This would seem to indicate that there is an issue with how 4.16 changes the file versus previous versions of LW.

Since I know how to resolve the issue, I don't expect any replies.

Might help if you could tell us how to fix it Teapot, I am having issues also.

I have similar issue. I "upgraded" to 4.16 and it will connect slowly, like over an hour, or will not connect at all. What is with this? Nothing has changed but LW version. I have checked all firewall, IDS, OS issues and all is ok. Just this app is screwed? Anyone have same issues? Find a resolution? Please let me know. Thanks

i cant connect to limewire it keeps saying loading messages but have left it for hours and hours and still wont connect can any1 help?x

It's only proven to be a temporary fix for me. I don't know how it's done in other operating systems, but in Win XP open Windows Explorer and find the default copy of the gnutella.net file from your installation of LimeWire. Mine was in the C:\Documents and Settings\username\.limewire directory. Copy the gnutella.net file from this directory, then navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Limewire and paste it over the one already in that directory.

I found out how to do this from the faq's and stickies in this forum.

Hope this helps.

For the people who are stuck, this sticky is the one that has info about replacing the gnutella.net file (plus other fixes)
If LW Will Not Connect

Teapot, if replacing the gnutella.net file is only a temoprary fix for you...have you tried deleting that old (.limewire) prefs folder?
You don't need 2 prefs folders....if you delete the old .limewire one, it won't come back unless you reinstall a version of LW 4.9.34 or older. Have you also tried deleting your new prefs folder & the other fixes in the sticky?

No, Birdy, I haven't tried either of these solutions. When I trade in my old car for a brand new one, I don't expect to have to jump start the new one every few days or need to remove its radio to ensure consistent starting. So, I expect LimeWire to clean up after itself when installing a new version and to be stable without me having to become a LW mechanic. I don't mean to be disrespectful to you or the LW developers, I'm just stating what I think are reasonable expectations for a software product that I purchased.

I've used several prior versions of LW Pro to download over 5000 files in the last 14 months and --> didn't have a single fail to connect incident. Then, I upgraded to LW Pro 4.16 and now I have random, but regular, connection issues associated with the gnutella.net file. Since I'm not having any file corruption issues with any other software on my computer, this clearly indicates to me that there is an issue with the gnutella.net file that was introduced in version 4.16.

My only purpose in posting was to let the LW developers know that there was a connection problem associated with the gnutella.net file introduced in version 4.16 that will negatively affect at least some users. If I can be of any assistance to them in resolving this issue, they can contact me by email.

i had the same issue. i have been troubleshooting this since yesterday after upgrading to 4.16. bottom line is i did the following;

1) deinstall limewire completely
2) do a file search on *limewire*.*
3) delete everything, empty recycle bin and reboot
4) re-download limewire

I am now connecting !!!

Copying the gnutella.net from the one posted in the other page worked for me....THX