Guys, we're doing the best we can to help people get around this shitty problem the only way we know - by avoiding the files with heaps of sources, varying search terms, using the All Types search etc. And for some people that really does do the trick (believe it or not). For others, it doesn't seem to help so much. We don't know why.

There are more & more fake files appearing all the time. There are always going to be organisations that try to discourage p2p use. Whether it's infected files, fake files, misnamed files, there are always going to be things shared on the network which are put there purely to disrupt p2p.

If you want to use different apps that's fine & if you find a better alternative to LW, go for it. I don't know that other networks will be any better than Gnutella but try & see...you never know until you try.

We are here to help. We're not developers, just users like you. So the advice we give is based on what has worked for us & other users. And if we get snotty with answers sometimes, it's probably because of the attitude we cop day after day from disgruntled people who expect us to be able to work miracles for them

I understand what you're saying. I just don't understand why everything is different than before. I am trying to download simple mp3s, as I have for years. I can't any more. Is there really no answer to the question? And is everyone else here really as joyfully satisfied with the service as they appear to be? It is very mysterious how some forum folks will jump all over someone with an innocent question, doing nothing but defending Limewire while insulting the original poster. This service is going down the tubes, and I have a very legitimate question. I don't dig the vibe from a few of these people. I suppose there are know-it-alls on every forum, but my question is really for Gnutella themselves, but I'll be damned if I'll pay the extra money to go Pro when I can't even use the service to begin with. Limewire doesn't work any more. No one can tell me why. The End, I guess.

I don't know why some people have so much trouble downloading things now. And I'm not getting shitty with you, so don't think that.
I've been seeing the files that won't download as well, everyone has (I'm using 4.12.6 Pro) but for me, using the All Types search & looking for songs via album title has given me good results. Otherwise I wouldn't tell people to do that.

When the helpers here give someone a serve, it's often because they have a history of being abusive, confrontational & disruptive on the forum (and via PM). This is not obvious to people reading the thread. We have many great people here (of course I'll defend them) who help a lot of people every day.

If you want to try other Gnutella clients...how about Phex or BearShare? They both have a section in this forum. If you did want to try BS, just be sure to use the 5.1.0b25 version, which uses the Bearstart utility. If you go to this thread, you'll find a link for download & more info
http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showthread.php?t=53386

*One thing you could try is deleting your LW preferences folder. I'm not saying it will fix your prob with seeing so many undownloadable files but if you want to try it, it can't hurt. It's up to you. Points 2 & 3 below have instructions. If you've used old versions of LW you may have a folder in either location, so check both.
Fixes for LimeWire

I think what you mean to say is this: Limewire isn't working for you. It works for me. Do I run into problems with the program? Sure I do! I have problems with many of my other programs, too. Sometimes I can't figure out if the problem is with the program, my computer, my internet connection...but you know what? I don't give up. I don't quit using the program. I keep trying until I get it working as good as it normally does.

Good Luck

Obviously quite a few people aren't able to download while others are. So it remains a mystery. But Birdy, your reply was genuinely helpful while the post after yours served no purpose, as far as I'm concerned. So Birdy, thank you for the tips, and I certainly will continue to try, as I don't really have a desire to leave LW.

I have one thing to say, respectfully, to muhctekdano: I run into problems with Limewire; I do not run into problems with other programs (as long as I stay away from Microsoft products). I'm on a Mac and I have zero program problems. Perhaps this is why I find this so exasperating; it is very rare for me to encounter a program that dies not work well. My tolerance is very low. I don't know how you guys do it. (Or why! )

Since you're using a Mac, that link I gave for deleting prefs will be no use (unless people say otherwise we usually assume they're using Win just cos it's the most common OS). If you use the forum search to look for delete preferences Mac you'll find instructions.

We do it because we're masochists