Sorry that you're having such a PITA with this I'm not sure if I can help much more - maybe somebody else will have more ideas?

Just a couple of questions - are you using 32 bit or 64 bit Vista? Which JRE versions have you been downloading - Windows or Windows x64?

You probably did, but when you went through this link from post #2 http://www.gnutellaforums.com/333278-post2.html did you run both CCleaner and the MS cleanup utility?

I'm using Vista 32-bit .

I'm not sure which JRE version I downloaded bcos I didn't download it from the link you posted in an earlier posting. Instead, I got it from the Java software updater that came with the software.

As for the clean-up utilities I dont remember downloading either!

I think this problem arose due to an out-dated Java version. So, the best advice I could give anyone out there intending to install the latest version of LW (Version 5?) is:
Step 1. To check your Java version (you can do this in Control Panel at the Start menu. Click on the Java icon; in the General tab, click 'About...');

Step 2. Go to Drive C: and then to 'Program Files' and delete the LW file;

Step 3. Install the latest Java version (in the 'Update' tab);

Step 4. Install the latest LW version from the LW website;

Which are really your suggested solutions and they worked!
So, thanks!!!