...then it jumps backwards a %. I just downloaded the latest version of Limewire and am encountering this problem. It appears to be downloading but it can't get past a certain point. I've seen this twice so far.

Check out this thread.
Download percentages % going backwards! Why!

I'm now trying to down 5 files using the newly installed Limewire, They all went to a certain percentage, then stopped, went backward a % or two, then went back up to the same %, then back down....

WTF? This almost never happened with the old Limewire.

I deleted the preferences file. I then tried to load 5 new files. When I shut down Limewire, one or more will lose ground. That becomes their bottom value. Then it goes up to the previous value and falls back again. This sucks. I want the old Limewire back.

Corrupt downloads happens with the earlier versions too. Perhaps you didn't notice it or simply didn't have any problems.

I had one over 2 years.

Now every download I try is having this problem.

I've now deleted the preferences folder, uninstalled Limewire, reinstalled it, installed the latest Java and tried to download two new files. Same ****, different day. They both hit a wall and count down backward a %, then go back and forth, up a %, down a %.

So you did as advised elsewhere & chose your download from a 'different' source ... a different option in the search results?

If you wish to go back to an earlier version LW, go ahead, nobody is stopping you. Earlier versions are available if you google for them.

I Googled Limewire 4.16 and retrograded. Problem solved. Limewire 4.18.8 is a buggy POS.

I am using LW 4.16 but get corrupt files occasionally. That's what I meant by it's not a version issue, at least for me. Perhaps it was for you.