I just installed Lime Wire 5 and cannot connect to the network. I checked my firewall (which is just the windows XP one) and it has an exception - in the advanced tools it gives me the message: "you are a leaf node you are behind a firewall and do not support firewall transfers"

Windows XP home edition

If someone gave me a penny for the amount if times i have replies to a post regarding this same problem, i'd be a rich man.
The problem is simple, it is not yours, it's the new version of LimeWire's.
Even if you do eventually connect to the network you will get hardly any results anyway, which is another huge issue in LimeWire 5.0.
I have said to another few people today that the newest version of software is not always the best.
My advice is to go back to LimeWire 4.18, its faster and much more reliable.
Here is the link to download that version Download LimeWire Basic 4.18.8 - FileHippo.com
Hope this helps, my friend

but what if you HAD PRO?

If your Pro benefits are still current (eg if you bought 6 months worth of Pro, then you need to still be within that 6 month timeframe) then you can download 4.18.8 Pro from your personal download page. You'll see a link on the left side of the page 'Get LimeWire Classic'.

If your Pro benefits have expired, then you won't be able to download a 4.18.8 Pro.
If you choose to install a basic version & don't have Pro installers saved, or current Pro benefits, then you'll lose the Pro version originally installed

I paid for my pro update before I downloaded the new LIMEWIRE, that's when all this trouble started,,,and I am NOT getting any help from LIMEWIRE.

You don't have to SHOUT No need to yell at us - we don't work for LW.

If you want help from LW support specifically, then use the Pro support link here:Lime Wire » LimeWire PRO Support Center

If you just updated Pro from the official site, go to your personal download page (the email that you recieved from LW after updating has a link to the page) & there you can download 4.18.8 if you're not happy with LW 5.

If you're still having connection problems after that, please see this thread: If LW Will Not Connect

I just paid for a year member ship of Lime wire Pro
Does not connect. Problem started about a week ago. There is a problem with lime wire Pro so DON'T buy it until they FIX it...Will we be given free time? I doubt it...they don't even respond to your emails in tech support

I didn't mean to come across like I was Yelling, more like frustration. I have gone to Lime Wire PRO Support Center, they don't reply,and it keeps taking me back to the 5. download.
thank you for your time and support.

I do have PRO, 4.18 PRO

You can still get LW 4.18 Pro from your personal download page if your support is still valid. Click on the link on left side of that page where it says Get LimeWire Classic. I believe LW are working on certain problems faced with the present LW 5, so you might wish to wait until next release before continuing with LW 5.