having gone through the install process, which seemed to go ok,
i find that trying to start the prog from either deskktop icon or prog files, all i get is my computer opening up, any help would be much appreciated.

I get the same problem with 2.6.3 on XP Prof, everything is installed OK, but when you go to run it, the splash screen appears, then the application window, then it simply closes down...? Has any else had or solved this problem?

I got the same problem also. They way that I fixed it was to remove the english only version and download the international (multiple language version). When installing that I noticed that it was using a different installation program that apparently installs its own jre, which is what I think the problem is. After this finished limewire worked correctly.