help! Java problem is making me crazy

[klockman]

I have been trying to access LimeWire for a week with no success!!! It shouldn't be this hard!!!!
I download the software but always get an error reading, "LW failed to install Java. Installation will continue but LW will not start until you install the Java Runtime Environment from Java.com"

Ok...so I install the current version of JRE from Java.com....and I click on the LimeWire icon and it still says I must download a newer version of Java........
So I uninstall the Java and then reinstall it...same thing. so I uninstall LimeWire and reinstall that....same thing.....
I have talked to microsoft people, Dell people, and looked all over the internet trying to figure out this darn Java issue and no one has ever heard of this before or can offer any solutions.
I have XP and run Internet Explorer.
Does anyone out there have any idea what to do to resolve this????? I would just like to start enjoying LimeWire, but if I end up in a mental ward, it won't be very enjoyable, now will it! ha!
Pleeeeez someone help me!!!!!!!!!!!!