I open Limewire (4.8.1) and it says "connecting" but then I lose my internet connection for going online. Then I get out of Limewire, and my internet is working again. So, Limewire won't connect, and when it's trying to connect (which it never gets past) my internet connection doesn't work, but when I close Limewire it works. I have no firewall, and I am running Service Pack 1 for Windows XP. Can anyone help?

Are you pressing Resume on all your incomplete files? If so, then that's why!

More details:

Can you give us a total desciption of your set up:
1. OS version? (eg: Windows 98)
2. What firewalls you have?
3. ram?
4. HDD space available?
5. Connection type? (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.)
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers?
7. Where are you trying to connect from (home, school, work, etc.)?
8. What version of Limewire (LW) & Java do you have? (Go to LW's menu Help>About LW...)
These details are vital if you want us to find out what your connection problem is.
9. Who is your isp provider?

No, I'm not pressing anything.

Windows Xp
None
256
No
Cable
It's an Apartment building. I don't know which one they use. And my sisters have it working, so they aren't blocking the IP, though they could, but I think we all have the same Ip. This is the first time, it usually works.
4.8.1
Java 1.5.0_01
Don't know.

256 MB ram is not a lot nowadays.

How are you & your sisters set up. Do you all use it at the same time? Are you all networked together or have separate connections to the cable?

1st try deleting your LW preferences folder; instructions here: Fixes for Limewire

What other programs do you use at the same time?

If this is the 1st time it's happened & you've used it successfully before, then try reducing your shared files. And your incomplete files. Go to your incomplete folder & list it in size mode. So then the largest are at the top & smallest at the bottom. Now delete those that are 0%. After opening LW, go to your download window & click on top of Progress column which will organise the files by %. Then delete all those at 0%.

We are all pretty much on at the same time. And it was never a problem, so I don't see how it would be a problem now. I re-did my computer thinking it might help, but it didn't. I don't have any files.

Your connection quality is in the red when you turn it on right? But you haven't actually lost your internet connection? Did you configure your XP firewalls & such: http://www.limewire.com/english/content/firewalls.shtml

After opening LW, just leave it for some time. Then see how it is. If necessary, open it, go to Tools>Options>Connections & untick connect on startup & press Apply. Then go to File>Disconnect. Now wait some time. Then go to File>Connect & wait 10 mins to see how it is. Any chance of you trying this whilst the others are not using LW?

Whilst LW is closed do this simple test for us. Using your browser go here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ The page should say ‘Test Page was a Success’. What happens when you go there?

Your test page was a success!

But, I'm haven't opened limewire...But I'll take your advice.

Okay, it worked, it got to excellent. However, when I go into Firefox (or IE) I lose my connection, and then my Firefox and IE don't work, so basically they don't work at the same time, meaning when I'm downloading a song, I can't surf the web...

Reduce your uploads to about 70-80% & also reduce your downld speed. ie: Tools>Options>Downloads or Uploads>Basic & in Speed disable Ultrapeer cap. & press apply.

Alright it works! All I had to do was reinstall Windows XP, then install Service Pack 2, wait 24 hours and then download it, and it works perfectly now.