Unable to search and/or download

[SirTom]

Here is my system's profile as requested:

OS is XP Pro with SP3 installed
Only firewall is Windows version
752 MB RAM
Free space on HD 43+ GB
Cable connection
Motorola SURFboard modem model # SB5101 with Belkin Wireless Cable/DSL Gateway Router model # F5D6231-4
Connecting from house
LimeWire v.4.16.7 Java v.1.6.0_5
ISP is Comcast
Your test worked!
One other PC always connected to network via wireless router. No other PC's running Limewire.
I've been running & sharing files on LimeWire for 4+ years.
Brick wall visible in front of blue world.
UPnP is enabled.
Running Norton System Works 2007 Premier Edition with AntiVirus and Windows Defender. Also run the following free editions on a weekly basis: AVG AntiSpyware 7.5, Ad-Aware 2008, SpyBot Search & Destroy 1.5.2.20 & SpywareBlaster 4.1.0.0
USA

As mentioned above, I've been downloading & sharing music files for a few years through LimeWire. Recently, I updated LW to version 4.18. I am able to connect to LimeWire but unable to download or search for files as I get a message stating that I am not connected to the Internet and to click on Connect in the File menu, which doesn't help. To add insult to injury, although it won't let me search or download any files, I am allowed to sit in front of my monitor and watch numerous hosts upload files from my system even though, "Ahem!", I am not connected. I have tried uninstalling limeWire v. 4.18 & re-installing v. 4.16.7 with no success. I have double checked all browser settings but still have no clue as to why I am supposedly not connected. And since I'm sending this, obviously, I AM connected to the Internet.

I hope I've given all necessary data (it's my first post here) and that somebody can resolve my problem. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

SirTom

[wondering why]

Try this and see if it helps...
Go to your connections Tab in limewire, if it's not showing up go to Veiw > Show/Hide and make sure the connection tab has a tick next to it...
Then click on the Hosts and remove them and let Limewire search for some more...

If you keep getting the same hosts over and over, add the IP numbers into your Host Filter...
Tools > Options > Filters and select the Host Filter and add these IP's into it and select apply...

If you have no success with the above fix, try some of Birdy's tips in this sticky....

http://www.gnutellaforums.com/connec...tml#post298705

[SirTom]

Hi wondering why,
Thanks for the quick reply. I was able to download a few files Saturday afternoon. Alas, today (Sunday), I read the notice in my mailbox that there was a reply to my question. I opened LW to click on the Connections tab and discovered I couldn't connect again. There was nothing listed under Host or any other column in Connections. Above Host, it displays Connection Status: Leaf. There is currently no IP addresses listed in Host Filter. I had a file waiting for sources and it displays briefly under Status: Connecting... but then shows Waiting for Stable Connections then Connecting... then Waiting, etc. etc.
I will check the link you sent for a solution and will let you know if that resolved the situation. Thanks again!
Tom

[wondering why]

Hi Tom

It sounds like it could be your ISP, Comcast can be known to throttle connections at certain times of the day/night...

Comcast Blocks Some Internet Traffic
http://www.gnutellaforums.com/312513-post92.html
http://www.gnutellaforums.com/284787-post70.html

Although that being said, your Belkin Router does have a Nat Firewall within, so Port Forwarding may do the trick, it's worth a try anyway...

These are your instructions for your Belkin .........
Port Forwarding for the Belkin F5D6231-4

[SirTom]

Hello again wondering why,

Sorry for the delay in replying but wanted to make sure all was going to continue working. I tried a few of the suggestion's in Birdy's sticky as you advised. I changed the listen on Port and then double checked all other settings in LW.

All seems to be working fine again. Thanks for your help!

Tom