Alright birdy, if you think so, I'll give it a shot. I was just afraid that I'd spend all that time writing the stuff up only to be redirected to the same threads I've seen people referred to over and over that didn't help with my case.

I have tried to make a direct connection with a friend of mine, with him trying to connect to me and with me trying to connect with him, but nothing works. We keep getting an error that says: "could not browse host."

It is important to note that I have no problem connecting with LimeWire otherwise. I can upload and download files just fine with the normal search and download method. The problem I am having is only related to connecting with the direct connect feature.

I am running the Mac OS 10.4.11, and he is running 10.5.1.

On my computer, the OS firewall is turned OFF in System Preferences>Sharing>Firewall. Even though it is turned off, I have items listed and checked in the scrolling allowed services window for "Limewire" (TCP port 6346, UDP port 6346) and "Gnutella" (TCP port 16858, UDP port 16858). Again though, the firewall is turned OFF on my computer.

In LimeWire, however, the earth-behind-the-brick-wall icon IS present in the lower left of the window.

On his computer, he allows certain services, although LimeWire is not explicitly listed. He is able to connect with LimeWire and do searches, as well as upload and download files. That is, he is able to use LimeWire normally, just not with the direct connect feature. He is using Mac OS 10.5.1 with LimeWire 4.12.11.

I am using an AirPort Express wireless base station (v 6.3), and on it, I have NAT Port Mapping Protocol enabled, and I have ports 16858, 24237 and 6346 forwarding, all related to LimeWire, found in threads I've read or the preferences in one of our computers.

I have read the various threads that come up when searching for connection problems, and the sticky threads that are pointed to therein, mostly relating to firewalls, port forwarding and problems making just the basic connection with LimeWire. It bears repeating that I do not have problems connecting with LimeWire in the usual way, and I have set up port forwarding and my firewall is not turned on. My problem is specifically with the direct connection method.

And now, to answer the specific "details" questions about my setup...

1. OS version? (eg: Windows 98)

Mac 10.4.11

2. What firewalls you have?

The Mac OS has one built-in, but it is turned OFF, and the AirPort Express has port forwarding set up and enabled.

3. How much ram?

1 GB

4. Hard Disk space available?

varies, 5GB to 15 GB

5. Connection type? (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.)

Cable Modem with 4 MB

6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers?

cable modem is a Motorola SB5101 (Surfboard), wireless router is an Apple AirPort Express

7. Where are you trying to connect from (house, appartment complex, school, student accomodation, work, etc.)?

apartment

8. What version of LimeWire (LW) & Java do you have? (Go to LW's menu Help>About LW...) Will show both LW & Java version.

LimeWire: 4.14.10, Java: 1.5.0_7

9. Who is your ISP (Internet Service Provider)?

Megared (Megacable)

10. Do this simple test for us. Using your browser go here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ The page should say 'Your test worked!'. What happens when you go there?

It says, "Your Test worked!"

11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up.

yes, sharing with two other computers, but no other traffic going on when attempts were made to use DIRECT CONNECTION

12. Is this a your 1st try at LW or is this a new problem with an experienced user.

I have used LimeWire for years. I can connect just fine by the usual method, just not with DIRECT CONNECTION

13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface? _ click here to see Sample image

yes

14. For those using a modem/router, how is your modem/router set up...are you port forwarding or is UPnP enabled?

port forwarding: yes, UPnP: OS X supports Bonjour, a competing technology

15. What security programs are you using (antivirus etc)? Some people might not be aware that their security suite includes a firewall

only the Mac OS, and it is turned OFF

16. What country are you living in? Sometimes there are ISPs with the same name in more than one country (eg Clearwire in the USA & also in Ireland).

Mexico

Thank you in advance for any and all help you might be willing to offer!