Yes, Another Connection Problem
 

first of all, let me get these questions out of the way.

1. OS version?
Windows XP, an Administrator account.

2. What firewalls you have?
Just Windows firewall program

3. How much ram?
1.86 GHz, 504 MB

4. Hard Disk space available?
60,003,868,672 bytes

5. Connection type?
Ethernet Cable

6. Where are you trying to connect from?
School Campus (Savannah College of Art and Design).

7. What version of LimeWire (LW) & Java do you have?
Limewire 4.18.8 and Java Version 1.6.0_13 from Sun Microsystems Inc.

8. Who is your ISP (Internet Service Provider)?
Honestly, not sure. I'm on the school campus, so, my ISP is whatever they allow. I'll have to ask someone about this question.

9. 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?
I get an error page instead.

10. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up.
Both my roommate and I use ethernet connections, but from two different outlets. I don't know if that counts as us sharing a connection, though. Sorry, I'm not computer savvy, I've had to use google to answer several of these questions. ^^;

11. Is this a your 1st try at LW or is this a new problem with an experienced user.
No and no. I bought a year subscription for LW Pro in October 2008, and I've been using LW Basic longer than that. I've had connection issues in the past, but it's finally starting to bother me, now.

12. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface?
Yes, but in the past, I've been able to get a connection even with the firewall icon.

13. What security programs are you using (antivirus etc)?
Avast Home Edition

14. What country are you living in?
United States

15. Has anything in your setup changed recently? Have you updated your version of LW or Java? Have you added any new software or new hardware? Have you updated any software? Have you moved house, changed internet plan or ISP etc etc?
No.



I've tried nearly EVERY suggestion that I could find in the forums. The only thing I haven't tried is using a proxy server because, as I said, I'm not computer savvy and I wouldn't really no what I was doing. I started out with LW5, then downgraded to LW4, but the problem hasn't gone away. Even though LW is telling me there's a firewall up, I know I've added the program as a exception to Windows Firewall, I've checked several times.

I don't think it's the connection at my campus either, because I was able to use LW here on campus fall of last year. I'm also fairly certain that Avast doesn't come with a firewall. Anyway, here's a list of the things I've tried:
*Downgrade to LW4
*Check firewall
*Disable 'show tips at start up' and 'connect at start up'
*Disable Performancing Options
*Disable OOB Searching
*Purge Download Queue
*Uninstall/Reinstall LW (God knows how many times I've done this)
*Delete/Replace Gnutella File
*Update Java
*Delete Limewire's Preferences Folder
*Change Listening Port
* Install Frostwire

Frostwire didn't connect either; so, I really don't know what's wrong. Please help me, I paid for LW Pro and I'd like to be able to use it.

My guess is your campus has brought in shaping or more likely blocking of gnutella or p2p sharing altogether since last year.

Change connection port also, choose between ports 49152 - 65535. eg: 64049.
Keep both connection & listening port the same. May need to set to manual port forward to change connection port. ;)
For LW 4, use one of the gnutella.net files that was suggested for replacing. This must only be added whilst LW is closed.

A google search for Avast 4.8 suggested: Network traffic - Intrusion Detection - lightweight firewall. -> This might possibly affect connections. Check that option. I haven't used Avast so not sure how it works, but that option sounds like an option another security program I have has.

Nice looking college. :) I did a quick check, could not find any mention in their policies about internet use or any internet policies at all (other than off-campus students).
This default port is blocked, so definitely need to change the connection port as I suggested (including listening port.) ;)

Proxies are a lot of trouble to set up. A lot of time, mucking around trying different ones in hope any work at all. So yes, that's an option you probably would prefer to leave alone.

Do you know of any one else who uses LimeWire or any other p2p sharing program at your college?

Thanks for the suggestions.:) I haven't asked anyone question about limewire, yet, but I plan to if the problem continues.

I know how to change the listening port, but I'm not sure about the connection port, could you walk me through how to do that? I know it's probably very simple and I'm just missing it somehow. XD

Sure .. check Manual port forward instructions & sample image for sample images. :) Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Firewalls, select manual port forward, type in port 64049 for example in each listening & connection ports. Click apply & ok buttons. Then go to file menu -> Disconnect. Then go back to file menu & choose Connect. :) You should do that to give LW a different connect attempt.

The connection port number option box will not be able to be typed/copy-pasted into unless you select the Manual port forward option.

Thanks. I've tried using your suggestion, but unfortunately, it still isn't loading. Is there anything else I can try?

See if you can find out if anybody else has any p2p sharing program that works. Find out which one. :)

Sounds like the college has blocked port 6346 which is the official gnutella port. But they might also have filtered either LimeWire program or gnutella protocol. You said FrostWire also does not connect. :(

Trying Phex is an option, of course not using port 6346 however. http://www.gnutellaforums.com/new-ph...ome-guide.html

An example of Gnutella filtering at a college: College shapes Gnutella Bandwidth. This is an example of shaping, however they can also block if they choose.