i've had a problem with my limewire for quite a while. up until that time ive never ever had a problem with it, as far as i can remember its been ever since i've downloaded the latest version.

when you use something again and again, you get used to how it starts up, and if suddenly the slightest thing changes you notice it. right?

when i start up, it takes ages to get to 5 green bars. im actually lucky if it does. usually stays on four, then decides to go to 5 for a little bit, then back to four... inconsistent basically.

even if it does get to five bars, when i search for something it takes absolutely ages to find anything, and when it does there isnt very many results.

so i decided to go to the connections tab and disconnect, then reconnect again. i took some print screens so you can get an idea. so here is just after i reconnect...



then after a little while, i end up with this and this is all i get...



somebody please help me! what is wrong?

long story short, when i first connect i get this:



and then after a little while, i end up with this and this is all i get...



when i search for stuff, it takes ages to find results, if any! and then if i do happen to find one, no matter how many hosts, it doesnt download.

its driving me mad! what do i need to do? whats wrong?

These details will greatly help us System details - help us to help you (click on blue link) .. otherwise it's pure guess work.

BTW how many incomplete files do you have? Go to Library window, select incomplete folder on left hand side at bottom, press Explore button. That will open the folder onto your desktop, then just look at details of folder .. how many files inside?

sorry, my bad. im a rookie see, so i didnt know. i'll go through the list of things to tell you from the link:

1. windows vista and yeah im using the administrator account
2. i've got windows firewall as well as norton. but windows is turned off
3. 2gb of ram
4. 266gb of hard disk space free. total capacity 288gb
5. broadband
6. its a speedtouch router, not to sure on the exact model number
7. im connecting from my house
8. i am using the very latest versions of both limewire and java
9. aol is my isp
10. it says my test worked
11. nope not sharing the connection with any other computers
12. naa im an experienced user of limewire. never had any problems with limewire until now. if memory serves me right i think its only since ive been using the latest version of limewire that i had this problem. but i could be wrong...
13. i see the blue world icon with a brick wall
14. upnp is enabled
15. norton antivirus 2008
16. i live in england
17. nope everything is running as normal. no major updates of any kind that would affect the way limewire works. like i said, the only thing ive updated is the version of limewire...


hope all that helps cos i really appreciate any help you can give me
oh and i checked my incomplete folder and its completely empty

cheers, matt

Damn .. excuse the language ... but i checked your ip address & it shows CARPHONE WAREHOUSE BROADBAND SERVICES of UK .. which is often what AOL uses for some areas of UK. *sighs* The problem is not you but your ISP ... see near the bottom of very first post here (post #1) ISP's known to BLOCK or Filter p2p or specifically Limewire, & where it says CARPHONE WAREHOUSE BROADBAND SERVICES/ aol .. click on those two links it shows. Apparently CARPHONE WAREHOUSE BROADBAND SERVICES is using some kind of p2p bandwidth shaper which will also affect connection to p2p networks.

erm .. I'd like to suggest moving to another isp if possible, but keep 'if' you do consider that option, look at the "Official report on UK isp's that throttle speeds: ISP's that cap heavy bandwidth users & p2p" at no. 8 shown in that first post of the url link above.

BTW AOL started off as a USA company, like a few companies from USA & other parts of europe have moved into UK & taking a monopoly on local internet services (by buying up small & large ISP companies) & applying their policies even if the ISP retains its original name under their new parent company. Some companies such as Tiscali actually control a large percentage of ISP's in UK, and they are themselves p2p bandwidth throttlers or port blockers depending on the country of their child company.

thanks for your quick and detailed reply lotr.

however theres one thing i dont get:

aol has always been my isp, and ive always been able to use limewire up until now.
if you look at the second of my print screens, i am connected a little bit but not fully, if that makes any sense lol.

so youre saying that only way to fix this issue is to change my isp?

Same issue as one or two of the other AOL (CARPHONE WAREHOUSE BROADBAND SERVICES) users who have very recently posted, it seems like a new p2p bandwidth shaper put into operation by CARPHONE WAREHOUSE BROADBAND SERVICES. For at least one of the others, it is a 'new' problem. They can connect too sometimes, but get very low speeds. Previously it was fine for them too.

I do not see any other option. .. You could try using LW during 'off-peak' hours & see if speeds are any faster or connection is better. If it is better, then this can be advised to others who use the same service. It's not uncommon for ISP's to only throttle p2p bandwidth during peak hours, including in the UK.

i dont see why any isp should be allowed to block p2p file sharing programs. how can isp's be allowed to say what their users can and cant go on?! doesnt make any sense to me.

if i was to change to anyone it would be sky. do you know if they for some reason block p2p?