Ok, first let me just say that I've read this whole thread and been back and forth between it and Limewire for a couple of hours. At the risk of being told that I'm too stupid to use it, and should get AOL, I need to ask for some more basic advice.

Second, I've gotta' say, Lee, you're one one the nicest guys I've ever encountered online. I realize you're promoting a business, but still...good on ya'.

I've been using Limewire for a couple of years. I've never taken much notice of it's workings because it never gave me cause. It uploads, it downloads, no problem. I have a modem, so I just use it to get what I really want, and my old PIII 450 has no protection, not even Norton. Never had a problem.

Now I've got this other computer here, belonging to some totally computer illiterate folk, and a brand new cable connection. The cable guy was still fussing around while I was installing Limewire. They have all kinds of crap clogging up the tray- anti virus and spyware protection- all of which I've disabled.

It downloads at blazing speed. But it won't upload. Lots of hits, but no uploads.

I know it's not normal- I imported my shared files and people are all over those in five minutes on my computer, like a feeding frenzy. I can see the searches coming in, looking for what I have, but it still says, "0 active, 0 queued". This matters to me because I share things I want to disseminate- Chomsky, Zinn, etc.

I don't know what kind of firewall the computer has, nor how to find out- I'm totally ignorant about such things, because, as I said, I have neglected all protection for my computer.

I tried to follow the advice in the very first thread, but didn't get very far:

I checked my IP and it is not one of those (10.x.x.x or 192.x.x.x), according to the website. I checked the "Force IP" box, but then I don't know what to do. Putting my IP in the box isn't right- too many digits. How do I "force this IP in Limewire"? How will posting here test it?

So, if someone could just help me with that first, we'll see where that gets me.

Thanks,
Joff