Cannot connect to Gnutella network (bearshare 5.2.5)

[rebb]

I have been running bearshare 5.2.5 for a long time and it just stopped connecting. There is a long queue during search, light in upper right stays red and then I get the message "cannot connect to the gnutella network. It is not my ISP as our other computer connects ok. Just updated Norton 360 on the laptop that does not work but verified that bearshare is checked "allow" I am using windows XP with sp2. I tried loading another version of 5.25 and the same thing happens. Something seems to be blocking access on this computer and I do not know where to begin to fix it. Help would be greatly appreciated...this is my first post.
Thank you

[Lord of the Rings]

Often the case with using Norton & updating it is you need to remove the previous 'exception rule' and re-add it, so remove BearShare & re-add it as an exception for Norton. Only run one firewall. So choose between Norton & XP's firewall. The reason for this is Norton & XP's firewall clash, & cause problems including less security. Have BS as exception on whichever firewall you choose to enable. Also make sure each Bearshare on your home network is using different connection ports.

If still problems, check http://www.gnutellaforums.com/host-c...tml#post305558 for replacing the connections database.