1. This is not the LW site. This is a separate forum run by volunteers & caters for other p2p clients also (not only LW.)
2. There's 2 versions of LW. One is LW Basic which is free & the other is LW Pro which costs $18.88 & offers 6 mths of free updates & customer support. So if you paid more than that then you must have accidentally got it from a scam site. The official LW site is here: http://www.limewire.com/english/content/download.shtml
By the way, you're probably better updating to a newer version. LW is up to version 4.8.1 but there's also a LW beta 4.9.0

3. Did you configure your firewall so it allows LW full access (advisable not to have 2 active firewalls b/c they can interfere with each other); Firewall configuration instructions (click on link) Remember Win XP has its own firewall.

Try deleting your LW Preferences folder whilst LW is closed; instructions here: Fixes for Limewire But make a note of your settings such as where your downld folder is.

Can you give us a total desciption of your set up:
1. OS version? (eg: Windows 98)
2. What firewalls you have?
3. How much ram?
4. Hard Disk space available?
5. Connection type? (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.)
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers?
7. Where are you trying to connect from (home, school, work, etc.)?
8. What version of Limewire (LW) & Java do you have? (Go to LW's menu Help>About LW...) Will show both LW & Java version.
9. Who is your isp provider?
10. Is this a your 1st try at LW or is this a new problem with an experienced user.
These details are vital if you want us to find out what your connection problem is.

* Some downld hints & xtra skills: To continue files downlding (click on link) & see all the off-shoot links.