How does it happen that an incomplete download resumes when I start up LW, but searching for the same file comes up dry? I can search and search and can't find it, but I know the file is actively on the network because I'm watching it downloading.

Gnutella programs such as LW cannot search the entire gnutella network at once. And although some people with the file may be within your search horizon, they may be dial up users & possibly be skipped over.

My advice is to use the Advanced search option. Right-click the search results tab, choose advanced -> Get More Results.

Keep in mind people come & go offline on the network all the time.

Also, sometimes you may connect thru a particular Ultrapeer that is not responding properly. Options are to restart LW hoping you find new ultrapeers or ban the ones you know definitely are duds. But I warn to be careful of doing that.

It's also best to let LW settle after opening, before using the search function.

Thanks LOTR; you rock. So I appologize for the following yeah-buts:

Then why does the startup's automatic search so consistently find people that manual searching misses or skips over? It's as if it's using a better searcher; if so I wish I could access that startup searcher for manual searches.

When I mentioned "I search and search" that's what I was referring to (well, actually, in my ver of LW "Get More Results" comes under "Search More", not under "Advanced"). Even if I wait patiently through multiple attempts of "Get More Results" or "Repeat Search"--I've tried it both ways--I still get zero hits despite the fact that I'm dl-ing the file from somebody.

I thought of that, but this happens with such regularity that it seems improbable that so many people are jumping offline the instant my LW's startup search finds them and resumes an old download. Improbable but not impossible, I guess...

Of course I get that the point is semi-moot; I'm grateful to be dl-ing the file in the first place. It's just that it's so infuriatingly nonsensical that LW seemingly can't find something that's right in front if its face. Anyway I'll experiment w/ your other suggestions and look forward to any further insight on this from you or others. Thanks again!