That is a function that's been built in for several years. The reason the ultrapeer is dropped is because LW does not need it if there are no searches happening. Thus that ultrapeer can then be used to help someone else connect to the network. The dropping of the ultrapeer should not affect download speeds.

Edit: Check post #7 here http://www.gnutellaforums.com/downlo...leep-mode.html with sberlin's response of the reason.

that is a big help !!!! thanks so much !!! i totally understand that ...especially when the settings are not changeable ....using torrents and utorrent ...theres just to many ppl out there downloading 10 files at the same time not allowing uploads ....so im glad limewire came up with the torrent downloader also ...anyway ...thanks again !!!!!!