Scroll up to post #19 of this thread & read it all...that's info about what the preferences folder(s) are named & how to find them.

here is my first post

1. OS version? windows xp
2. What firewalls you have? beside the windows firewalll that I turned off, i have at&t
3. How much ram? a lot ...i just reinstalled windows xp
4. Hard Disk space available? a lot ...i just reinstalled windows xp
5. Connection type? broadband (DSL)
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers? Westell 6100
7. Where are you trying to connect from house
8. What version of LimeWire lw---4.13.3 java---1.6.0._03
9. Who is your ISP (Internet Service Provider)? Bellsouth
10. Do this simple test for us. Using your browser go here: http://www3.limewire.com:6346/ The page should say 'Your test worked!'. What happens when you go there? "your test worked" is displayed
11. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? If yes, please give details of set up. no
12. Is this a your 1st try at LW or is this a new problem with an experienced user. I've always been able to connect with Limewire
13. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of LW's interface? _ click here to see Sample image yes
14. For those using a modem/router, how is your modem/router set up...are you port forwarding or is UPnP enabled? UPnp enabled....on limewire...it won't let me change it
15. What security programs are you using (antivirus etc)? Some people might not be aware that their security suite includes a firewall at&t
16. What country are you living in? Sometimes there are ISPs with the same name in more than one country (eg Clearwire in the USA & also in Ireland). usa

Did you replace the gnutella.net file, as shown at the start of this thread? If this thread's a bit confusing for you, have a look at the link below for detailed instructions.
If LW Will Not Connect

Remember that LW has to be completely closed before replacing the gnutella.net file, or deleting the preferences folder. Otherwise it's a waste of time.

Do you mean that you can't change from using UPnP within LW's options (make sure to click 'apply' & then 'ok' to save a change)? Or do you mean that you have UPnP set within LW's options, but can't change to UPnP within your router's setup pages? If your LW options are stuck, then deleting LW's preferences folder/s (see thread above) should resolve that.

You could also try changing ports. In LW tools > options > advanced > firewall config. Change LW's listening port to 65000 (or anything in the range of 49152 - 65535) > apply > ok.

If nothing above works (& you're sure that you've done things properly), if you're able to change settings within LW's options, you could also try port forwarding for your router.
Port Forwarding for the Westell 6100
LW's listening port, port in the 'manual port forward' box & port forwarded within the router's setup pages should all be the same number.

And please...no more smartass posts about "no real answers" etc or nobody is going to bother trying to help you any more...if one fix worked for everyone, don't you think we'd post it?
We don't work for LW. We give a number of fixes to try, because different users with different systems have different problems for different reasons.

when i go to tools, options in LW, the part where you can pick or put a dot or check where it says UPnP, westell and the other one (i forgot what) anyway, it let's me check off or uncheck whether i want LW to pick but it won't let me check off say if I wanted to pick westell. I don't know if I'm making myself clear.

I tried everything you mentioned. I even tried the port forwarding but was confused... my westell page didn't look like the one in the link you suggested. I get through with the launchmodem link.
Thanks for your advice and tips. I appeciate it. I have no idea why it won't work....I consider myself somewhat computer literate hence the fustration.

and as far as my smarta-- post......it's called a vent, I'm sure everyone has had one. Anyway, Thanks again for your help. You were kind to answer. Question: Do you know why this is happening when it didn't happen in the past? I've been usuing LW forever. Do you know if it's something that LW has changed or is it really our computer settings? Just wondering.

Lots of people are finding that they can't connect because there's a problem with their gnutella.net file...when they download a new version of LW that file doesn't contain any host IPs to connect to. Other people might find that their preferences folder has become corrupted somehow or that their Java's too old/corrupted, or that their modem/router needs to be configured/reconfigured, or that their ISP has started blocking ports, or that their software firewall needs to be configured/reconfigured for some reason...could be so many things!

Try turning off the AT&T firewall, turn on the Windows firewall & configure it to allow LW (see link below)...does that change anything?
User Cant Connect - LimeWire

Go & find the gnutella.net file within LW's preferences folder...how big is that file?

Uninstall LW (start > all programs > LW > use the uninstall option). Now use your computer's search to look for all files & folders with limewire in the name (make sure the search is looking within hidden files & folders, & that you're not looking for case sensitive names). Delete what you find.
If you've changed LW's saved folder from the default location, & are saving files to a folder with limewire in the name...careful that you don't delete that saved folder & lose your downloads!

Restart your computer. Now reinstall LW & make sure to use the offline installer (when you click to download, cancel the dialog box which pops up & choose the option to download the offline installer). Start LW, go through tools > options & see whether you can change the firewall config settings now.

If LW still won't connect after the reinstall, shut LW down properly & then go back into LW's preferences folder & replace your gnutella.net file with one from the link in the thread below.
If LW Will Not Connect

Restart your computer, start LW.

If your router's pages don't look like the ones on the portforward site, maybe go through the router's manual & see if there are port forwarding instructions there.

First and foremost I have read all the posts and stickys and none have provided a solution to my connection problem. I have erased LM and reinstalled maybe 15-20 times, and done the Gnutella thingy about the same amount of times to no avail. I have restarted my computer and LW and still no connection. The status stays at "currently connecting" for over an hour. What have I done wrong? I have followed all of Birdies instructions to the letter and still no connection..$ reds and 1 green and will not perform any searches.
I am in the US.
I have Mindows XP OS
My isp is Time Warner/Road Runner(?)
Please help me!

I've tried it again still the wall is there.

if the wall is there it means you have a firewall.
go check your firewalls

birdy, i had the folder .limewire, which i deleted.
I did this And i can now see the application folder in
C:\Documents and Settings\MyName\Application Data\LimeWire.
Should i delete the limewire folder in Application Data?