I had a problem with the new 2.5.5. I went back to my old 2.4.4

As for the connection problem, try this:

Check this thread in the Connections Forum. If you enter these hosts into your Tools > Options > Connections it should connect. There has been some trouble connecting lately, as you may see by all the posts.

http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showt...&threadid=15043

Good luck.