up until recently limewire has been working fine. lately, when i begin to download a file, it comes up at the bottom, showing that it is "connecting", but it then stays "connecting" and does not start to download at all. i have had this problem with all the files i have tried to download. help please.

Files that sit connecting for ages & then need more sources are often fake files. Check out these 2 threads for more info & tips (always check video files with Bitzi before download).
Fake files showing up in search results
How to find music

If this is happening with every single file that you try to download, try this: delete LW's preferences folder when LW's properly closed. See point 3 here & also point 2 if you've used older versions of LW in the past (there could be a folder in either location).
Fixes for LimeWire
This will kill all of your settings within options, you'll have to go back through afterwards & reset things. If you're not sure of your settings, go through LW's tools > options & write them all down, so that you can reset things later.