I suggest that you go through a complete reinstallation sequence. Uninstall your current version of Limewire and then use Finder to remove everything with "Limew" in the label. Now restart your computer in Safe Boot (ie hold down shift while restarting). This will run an invisible file check and repair any general damage. Now drop into the Utility box and use the File Permissions Repair sequence. When this has completed, restart again. Now back go to Limewire and download the latest free version (I think we're up to 2.9.11) and install that. Hopefully, that will give you some improvement pending the implementation of a Limewire version based on Java 1.4.1 which we're all waiting for.

As to the issue of a refund, I am an unpaid volunteer and nothing to do with the guys that run the shareware-based company that underpins the development of Limewire. I have expressed my opinion and see no reason to change it. You were committed enough to the shareware concept to pay the developers some money. That was very public-spirited of you. I'm sorry you now feel you are owed some of it back.