Go to Setup > Service
Then add some of these host.
public.bearshare.net
connect1.bearshare.net
connect2.bearshare.net
connect3.bearshare.net
connect1.gnutellanet.com:6346
connect2.gnutellanet.com:6346
connect3.gnutellanet.com:6346
Also keep your Max host number on the Host tab around 5.

OR

http://download.bearshare.com/BS250a3.exe
Right click on that link and then save as or save target as.
Try the newest beta, there is no need for Starting Host.
Becker