Most likely due to you using Tiscali services who are reknown for shaping p2p sharing bandwidth. One alternative, though it might not work is to change both your listening & connection ports to a higher number like between: (49152 - 65535). Go to LW's menu bar, Tools -> Options -> Firewall, & you will see the options.

Check Tiscali on this list: ISP's known to BLOCK or Filter p2p or specifically Limewire (Click on blue link)

After Tiscali walked into UK, they have taken over many UK ISP's, even if the original company retains its original name. Difficult to find non-p2p shaping bandwidth/blocking ISP's in UK nowadays.

Hi
Thanks for your help and I will give this a go. On Saturday even at midnight could not get it past Connection Starting but today Sunday, it is working fine so far. Yes, Tiscali took over Pipex - worse luck - since then nothing but problems & the tech advice is laughable - even if you can understand what they are saying! When my website went down I was told that there was no support or advice for websites as no one there knew anything about them!

I gave the Port number change a go but unfortunately it made no difference. I understand why Tscali may be the cause because of their policies, but I now find that I cannot leave LImewire on overnight as I used to, when I go to bed it is working well and downloading & when I return to it, the "starting connection" problem is back - even at 7am in the morning!! Not only have any downloads not progresses much further but of course no one would be able to download from me. Overnight used to be the best chance of completing a large download or torrent, but not any more. Any other suggestions would be welcome, although I gather that if it is Tiscali responsible, there is not much that can be done.