I'm not sure why you're having this problem then. I'd have thought it was the Java or preferences being the issue. Try changing the compatibility of LW to Win 2000 & also try NT & see if that makes any difference. To see how to do it, see step 5 in the Fixes for Limewire link above. Also delete your LW preferences again before you re-open it should there be any (probably won't be.)

The only other thing I could think of would be to try the Java 1.6 beta http://java.sun.com/javase/6/ (choose the JRE) & use the 19 MB "Offline" installer to downld.