Well, I tried superduck 94's suggestion and deleted the .bin file extension. Worked like a charm. I installed LimeWire, but then COULDN'T OPEN IT! Something about not being able to read the Java script. This was not a good thing, since my version had worked before I took his advice.

As a last resort, not expecting to have any luck at all, I tried Joakim Agren's link to v. 2.9.8. Went through the download process again, deleted the .bin. file extension. and this time everything sorted itself out. Don't know how. Don't know why. Just know I'm happy.

So thanks to superduck for the .bin tip, and to Joakim for the 2.9.8 link to use it on!