Hmmmm. I suspected something like this, so made a script to run when things got weird. The script:
open connect1.bearshare.net
open connect1.gnutellanet.com
open gnet2.ath.cx
open gnutella.fileflash.com
open gnutella-again.hostscache.com
open ghutella.hostscache.com
open public.bearshare.net
open router.limewire.com

This seems to work sometimes, but fails at other times. I conclude that it a "don't care". Some odd observations:
1) The connect1=4.gnutellanet.com don't work for Mutella or gnotella (on a Windoze box). They *never* get me any other hosts or network horizon.
2) I run a SOHO network with all machines behind a Linux firewall/gateway - which does IP masquarade.
This has never presented a problem before. Other programs - including Gnotella & Limewire - work fine. (I'm behind it now.......)

Just this PM, Mutella "hung up" with zeros for everything. I shut it down, started Gnotella on my notebook, found a downloaded a small file....Weird.

You think that this info might help find the cause? I would *really* rather run the Mutella on my Linux box, rather than run gnotella - or other - on one of the ever so crashable Win boxes.....

I do appreciate your response.

cheers,
johnd