After being able to download some audio files, I now can't seem to connect. I keep getting "connecting to the Gnutella Network" on the lower left-hand portion of monitor. Plus, when I try to chat, it won't let me get past the choosing between light/dark screens. Anybody else had this problem?

Sound like your computer is having trouble in general. You could always try and reset your coumputer and/or modem (if that does not happen simultaneouly)

Sounds like what it's doing to me. Specifically, after I updated to 1.41 it will run for awhile and then my RNAAPP indicator in my systray will stop flashing the server light. I cannot ping or connect to anyone but my computer doesn't seem to realize it's no longer connected. This happens wether other things are running or not.

Your computer can be trying to connect, but still not be able to establish a connection.