Gnutella Forums - OK (freezing when loading & shutting down)

Hi to everybody!
I'm new here and I'm new with LimeWire as well.
This is my first post about LimeWire. I tried to use it once before but it wasn't work. I can't remeber what was a problem before but now the LimeWire is still not working for me. I'm using windows vista with avast antivirus and windows firewall. When I start LM nothing is working. In down left corner it is written "Disconected". "Loading internationalization Support" is written in the middle, and after the icon "LM has detected a firewall" all numbers are 0.
If I try to search for something I'll just get the message: "Please wait, LM must finish loading before a search can be started." And that's all :(
if I try to shut it down completely it is never shuting down! Only the message: "Please wait while LM shuts down..."
That's all from my LW.
Anybody can explain me what I should do in order for me to be able to use it?
Yeah I didn't mention that I have a broadband connection and Linksys router. But the router has UPnP so I don't think so the problem is with it.

Thank you in advance for all answers!