I just downloaded lw basic and I can't connect. It has a globe with a brick wall in front. I have win xp sp2 and norton security 2007. I have disabled win firewall. Can someone please help me to connect to lw basic?

1. Who is your ISP?

2. What brand & model of modem/router do you have?

3. Did you configure NIS to allow LW full access? Configuring Norton Internet Security

4. Are you connecting from home, school, work, etc.?

5. Using your browser go here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ The page should say 'Your test worked!'. What happens when you go there?

My broadband provider is Southlink
I also have Packet 8 as my internet phone service the model # is BPG510
SN # 8264N067175 MAC # 0016E3-2C3010
I have allowed LW on NIS
And when I do the test it says test worked
I'm on my home computer

I'm not sure i understand the connection set up. But that may well be the issue that's affecting you connecting. If norton is set up correctly & xp firewall is off, then the issue is probably either the connection device or isp.

I used to have Bearshare before and it worked fine with my setup. But my children wanted limewire. Is there a difference in the way limewire works and bearshare?

LimeWire is more sensitive to firewalls. If it detects a firewall meaning you can't share, then it may not connect. BTW if you want a good version of BearShare, probably their best ever, have a look at the Sticky at the top of the Open Discussion section of the BearShare forums here. The new versions of Bearshare are now controlled against copyright. (new owners)

I'm not sure what the problem is. There must be something about your modem or whatever it is that has an internal nat firewall or else something else that doesn't allow incoming requests & communication.