Attn!!!!!!!!...recent slow upload/download problems fixed!
 

I have been researching this issue for a week due to the fact the same problems have cropped up for me recently. The most recent windows update for xp seems to cause the windows firewall to turn on.I disabled it due to the fact i have a firewall on norton 2003, magically, my limewire works perfectly again. Check for firewall conflictions, seemed to be my problem, good luck.:D