BearShare connects for me also. You DO need to update & replace your connection cache files. The older ones are out of date.
Remember to make exception for BS in your firewall.
You might need to remove & re-do another firewall rule for the present BS you are using. Depending on which brand firewall you are using, some firewalls see different versions of a program as almost different programs altogether. And one firewall is enough. Two causes problems with p2p sharing programs.
Connection cache in AW's post or click on attachment below.
