first things first, here is what i have to play with:
20" iMac
2.1 Ghz Power PC G5
1.5 gb RAM
48 gb free disc space out of 250 gb
running OSX 10.4.8
java version 1.3.1 (and also showing on system profiler java 1.4.2)

i used LW happily for over 2 years, and finally decided it must be time to upgrade.
I downloaded the latest version from LW own site, (NOT the BETA version).
Ran the installer, seemed OK.

LW opened, but stopped it's loading at 'loading user interface" and therefore I had a partial interface.

I went through my entire system and trashed every reference to LW i could find (with the exception of previously downloaded files of course).

Went through the whole download-install procedure again.....same result.

searched here for a long time, and found a post by 'lord of the rings' recommending a 'nightly rebuild version" and accessed the supplied link.
Trashed every reference to LW again, and downloaded and installed the 'nightly rebuild" version....same result.

i zapped the PRAM, I rebooted from the OS disc and repaired preferences etc.

I trashed everything again, etc. etc. ...same result.

i came across a link to 'frostwire' so thought i would try that...guess what? yup exactly the same.

I have now trashed all references to limewire, and frostwire and am back to where I started, but without any version of limewire of course.

I have tried very hard here to give you all as much info as I can, but will happily fill in any gaps that people need.

thanks in anticipation for any help.
regards,
Bart