That doesn't sound good at all. Who is your internet service provider?

Do this test: Bug Report instructions & sample image Is the result True/False?

Here's another couple of tests:

1. Try downlding a skin from here http://www.limewire.com/english/content/skins.shtml but choose the link to "Download into LimeWire" & not the http browser link!

2. Try to downld from the "LimeWire magnet link" from here http://www.mager.org/LimeWire/
BTW that is a mac version so you won't be able to use it. It's simply to test whether you can downld via magnet links.