Well personally it doesn't sound like a LW issue morso than a clash of softwares or problem with your DC++. There's no patch I'm aware of other than trying another version such as the beta v.4.1.5. If the beta has the same effect. I'd gamble on the problem stemming from your DC++!

Freezing is a severe problem & stinks of incompatibility with something. There's definitely something there causing the clash with either your system/DC++/DC++ causing problems with other things such as your sys & LW & possibly other things.

A really good quality 3rd party utility should be able to tell you what app is in the wrong. I'd hate to suggest any for pc (the 1st one that comes to mind for me doesn't work well on mac. ie: Conflict Catcher) I hate the app, but on pc windows I'm sure it does a sufficient job when u only have one os.

I should add to that that Conflict Catcher was designed for windows use (unfortunately its adaption to mac os forgot to take some things into consideration.)

This IS what u need to do. U definitely have something that's clashing. Whether u use Conflict Catcher or another utility make sure u run a test for file compatibilities & conflicts! I insist!!!