Hi I'm using a custom built 3.2GHZ, 2GB SYS Win XP- Home, Avast home free anti virus program, Limewire Pro 4.18.8. I have completely shut down my Win Firewall, as well as my AT&T 2Wire Router literally but Limewire keeps telling me I am behind a Firewall and Direct connect is NOT even an option due to it says I am behind a firewall. I have uninstalled and re-installed started from scratch. Can somebody PLEASE help me here I really want my Direct connect back. I am completely new to this site so it I am having problems finding my way around it so please be patient with me too thanks. I am more of a hardware Tech, instead of software LOL thanks a lot to anyone who can help.

Any chance that you may also have AT&T's internet security suite (which includes a firewall)? From what I can gather, it comes free with some internet plans.

Could you please give us these system details: System details - help us to help you -> Provide these details when you post!!!

Hello again, now that the desktop is fixed could you please help me with the same problem on the Limewire Pro 4.18.8 refusal to "Direct Connect" like the desktop. My Laptop is a Dell Inspiron 9100 (gaming system) with 3.4GHZ processor 2GB Ram. 250GB hard drive with a fresh installation of Win XP PRO. I have already done the OFFLINE changes on my laptop. All it has is Avast Home Ed as well with NO security software, I even tried turning off XP PRO's Firewall but the Limewire Pro 4.18.8 still says it is behind a firewall and refuses to Direct Connect. Please let me know if you can be of assistance. THANKS

Do you mean that you've updated/reinstalled Java using the JRE offline installer?

I'm not sure what fixed the problem for the desktop ( either deleting prefs or reinstalling/updating Java?) If reinstalling Java worked for the desktop but didn't help with the laptop, try deleting preferences folder on the laptop when LW's properly closed. See point 3 here & also point 2 if you've used older versions of LW in the past (there could be a folder in either location).
Fixes for LimeWire
This will change all of your settings within options, you'll have to go back through afterwards & reset things. If you're not sure of your settings, go through LW's tools > options & write them all down, so that you can reset things later.

You'll know if the prefs folder has been deleted properly... when you start up LW, all settings (within tools > options) will have reverted to default.

Hello again, I uninstalled Java, uninstalled Limewire PRO 4.18.8, did the offline download of the Java you recommended installed it, rebooted, re-installed Limewire Pro 4.18.8 and all is good on the desktop it got rid of the Firewall problem. I tried all the same processes on the Dell Inspiron 9100 laptop: New Just installed 250GB Fresh install of XP PRO, 3.40GHZ, 2GB 9700 Radeon video w/ 256MB Memory, only software Anti-virus software is Avast Home ED 2010 same as Desktop. But it still has the claim of behind a firewall despite the fact there's no firewall on Router, and Win XP Pro's Firewall is turned off.

Have you switched on (or ticked) the UPnP option in LW, Windows XP Pro and on your Router?

Routers almost always have built-in NAT support which acts like a firewall to block port access coming inward. I presume your router is set to UPnP so LW communicates with the router to open a listening port whilst LW is open. There is a chance the UPnP is not working properly with the laptop for some reason.

AFAIK I believe it is possible to port forward for the 2wire device just for the laptop, whilst the desktop can still use UPnP. That's guessing from port forward instructions I've seen for 2Wire. But we'd need to know your 2wire device model number.