I'm surprised your ip doesn't show on LW when you select Direct Connect. If it's not there then it does suggest your firewall is not properly configured. And it should be if you wish to Direct Connect. Check your incoming in the bug test & see if it's true or false. If false then your LW is probably being partially blocked. Double-check the Sticky at the top of this section about Direct Connect about important points you should know. You can also use Magnet links to help connect to your friends & share files. Once they start downlding your magnet link you can browse them from the upld/monitor window & they can browse you from their downld window.