Win ME
LW previous 4.12.15 basic
Java 1.5.0_03
plenty of HD and memory
Zone Alarm-free
ATT-DSL w/CA virus scan et al

saw there was an updated version of LW and DL'd it like I normally do since around the 4.8 versions
scanned the incoming package and it came up OK
followed install instructions and watched the complete install

when I went to run it--everything went KABLOOIE
all settings changed--skin changed-- lost my libraries (managed to find them later)--completely and utterly slow as all get out and kept locking up

did an uninstall and went back to 4.12.15 and now this has a more quirks than before

any suggestions??
tanx

Try deleting LW's preferences folder when LW's properly closed. See point 3 here & also point 2 if you've used older versions of LW in the past (there could be a folder in either location).
Fixes for LimeWire
This will kill all of your settings within options, you'll have to go back through afterwards & reset things. If you're not sure of your settings, go through LW's tools > options & write them all down, so that you can reset things later.

You could probably update your Java as well. Use this version & download the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) offline installer. Remove any other old Javas before you install this one.
Archive: Download Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0 Update 11

I have followed everything to the letter concerning Java and LW deletions and upgrades and re-install
Java is now 1.5.0_12
LW 4.14.8
deleted the .limewire per instructions and now over 100 partial DL's are gone AND I still have to turn off my firewall to be able to access LW

Running Zone Alarm 6.1.744.001--highest I can go because of Win ME
I've tried green checking both access/server modes for both LW and Java and nothing

on LW startup I get the screen about looping/initialization....
and then I shut off ZA and LW works---kinda---limps would be a better word---has locked up twice in this new config

ZA is set to port 32777
DSL modem is Siemens Speed Stream 4100

a tad more guidance is requested please

appreciate it ---tanx

Not sure if this will make a difference for you (it's been a fix for Vista users with ZA who have had probs) but you can try if you like...uninstall both LW & ZA. Reinstall LW first, then reinstall ZA.

You could also try port forwarding for your modem (it has an internal firewall). The instructions are here.
Port Forwarding for the Siemens 4100
Don't forget the step of setting up a static IP address first. LW's listening port, port in the 'manual port forward' box & port forwarded within the router should all be the same number.

You could also try the version of Java that I linked to in my other post (1.5.0_11).

thanks for the all the info and help Birdy but...
I reinstalled 4.12.15 but kept Java at 1.5.0_12

so far so good on the Java front

I went back to 4.12 because Zone Alarm firewall worked just fine but when I went to 4.14 that's when things went horribly wrong

that port forwarding thing with the modem looks a little tricky--could I do it--probably, and probably screw something else up
I didn't have to do it on 4.12 so I don't understand why this becomes a major issue on 4.14

Again thanks for time/help
T

If LW is running well with the versions of Java & LW that you have now then that's good

Every version of LW behaves a little differently & sometimes people have troubles with one particular version. People might have connection problems, firewall issues, trouble opening the program, compatibility issues with other software where there weren't any before (when running a different version).

If you think 4.14.8 is buggy, there's a 'Bugs & Beta Testing' section over at this other forum...some of the developers spend time there
Bugs and Beta Testing - LimeWire Forums

If you are seeing the firewall icon (brick wall) in LW then it's probably due to the firewall in your router. Keep in mind that if you're firewalled, other people will have a hard time downloading from you. If you want to get rid of that firewall, port forwarding's the way to go...just keep it in mind & you want to have a go at that in the future!