I think i've cracked it! I've been having the same connecton problems, so while browsing, i discovered that i was getting this "id 4226 error event". I'm absolutely crap with putors so i cant put a link in, but try putting " error id 4226 " into google and click on to "blog.davidkaspar.com/archives...". Skip 2 pages until you come to the event 4226 patcher bit on lvl lords website. download and execute the patcher.
I followed the simple instructions (changing the 10 half open connections to 50) and after rebooting EUREKA!
Hope this helps .

Sarah, I tried what you said , downloaded the link to lvl lords and it came up but it also flashed that I was going to download potentially dangerous info. So, I undid what I had done and got out of it. I sure don't need anything installed that could give me more trouble. Tell us....since you did this....can you open Lime Wire and connect? I just think there is something wrong with Lime Wire, if not, why are so many people having the same problem connecting when before there was no problems? I am very discouraged with this and if there is not going to be connections we should be told....right? Thanks. Marymo