Cant connect .. and first time hello

[iopwert]

Hello all - this is my first time posting, so just want to thank everyone ahead of time for any help.

I am having the "starting connection" issue I have seen a lot across the forum. I just upgraded to Limewire Pro - it was working before I upgraded, although I hadnt run it in a month or two before I upgraded, so there could have been a problem before the upgrade.

Note that I've been working at this for hours and Ive tried every piece of advice I saw -- I've checked and double-checked my hardware router/firewall settings to allow the correct TCP/UDP port through, I've assigned Limewire with full access in McAfee (it already was there, I removed and readded), Ive shut off the startup tips and automatic connection, Ive even tried different ports (changing settings on the firewall as well).

One interesting note - downloads that I had in my queue are downloading fine, but Im still getting the connection message and of course I cant search.

Thanks all!

Here are the answers to the template questions:

. OS version? (eg: Windows 98) If using Windows Vista, please tell us whether you have an Administrator user account.
Vista with admin access


2. What firewalls you have?
McAfee personal firewall (software) and Netgear FW-AG series. I have windows firewall off, and I tried completely shutting off the McAfee firewall

3. How much ram?
2GB

4. Hard Disk space available?
140 GB

5. Connection type? (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.)
broadband

6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers?
Netgear FWAG 114

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: 4.16.6 Pro
Java: 1.6.0_05

9. Who is your ISP (Internet Service Provider)?
Verizon

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?
Got the 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 - I've used Pro on other computers before, I had the free version on this computer working. I upgraded to pro today and this problem started, although I hadnt run it for a couple of months before upgrading

13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface? _ click here to see Sample image
yes

14. For those using a modem/router, how is your modem/router set up...are you port forwarding or is UPnP enabled?
port forwarding, and it's set that way in LW

15. What security programs are you using (antivirus etc)? Some people might not be aware that their security suite includes a firewall
McAfee antivirus and firewall

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).
USA