thanks for your reply - i've gone and checked my java settings as you said and it says i have java SE 6 - 64 and 32 bit is this right?
hmm now this is taking a guess but........... my internet connection is a ******* wireless usb stick with vodafone is that what you mean? i dont have a router or modem like i did when i had broadband.

two last things;

how do i change the firewall settings as an exception and change my gnutella.net files?
sorry i know this is probably really simple for you but it may as well be in japanese to me!