thanks 4 not giving up :-) below are the link config instructions
& <<my comments>>

WINDOWS XP INTERNET CONNECTION FIREWALL:

1. Within LimeWire, go to: Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Firewall Config >>I can't get within Limewire, it has never booted. I did go to step 10 tho<<
2. Make a note of the Listening Port located in the box next to "Listen on Port"
3. Go to Start -> Control Panel
4. Open Network Connections
5. Right Click on the connection you use to connect to the network
6. Choose Properties
7. Go to the Advanced Tab
8. If your Firewalled is Enabled go to step 10
9. If you want to enable Windows XP Firewall check the box (this will enable the "settings" button. If you are not interested in enabling your Windows XP Firewall, hit cancel -- LimeWire will not be affected, and you may stop following these instructions.
10. Under Windows Firewall Options, Go to the Advanced Tab.
11. Select Internet connection used. (Local area network or the name of your connection)
12. Click the Setting button
13. Click the "Add..." button
14. In the description field add "Gnutella"
15. Set the IP address to "127.0.0.1"
16. Check the TCP Radio button
17. Set the external and internal ports to the same port that you made a note of in step 2
18. Press OK
19. Repeat steps 13 to 16, except this time check the UDP radio button in step 16
20. Make sure the list of services has two items listed Gnutella, and make sure they are both checked.
21. Click OK
22. <<when I rebooted it still wouldn't connect. I checked the firewall settings and the Step 15 IP address was replaced by my laptop name [tk910us].
23. >>I'm thinking about using the port #s I used for WinMx. any other ideas? Thanks again for your help :-)