I have attempted every solution suggested in the various threads I found running a search of these forums. Basically I start Limewire and my CPU slows to a crawl. First I will give my system specs and then I will tell you what steps I have taken to fix this problem:

CPU: Athlon XP @ 2GHz(actual, not plus rating)
Memory: 1 GB PC3200 DDR(CAS 2.5)
Storage: 3x40 GB WD drives, 1x160 GB USB2.0 drive
Video: nVidia GeForce 6600GT, latest drivers

I have done the following to fix the problem:

Purged Limewire install x.x.28

Purged Java Run Time Environment 5, build 2

Scanned all spyware and virus problems, none found. Many programs used for this task, all came up clean.

Checked for overheating problems. None found.

Windows is updated.

Downloaded and installed Java Runtime Environment 5, build 4, which is the newest version.

Downloaded and installed Limewire x.x.30

CPU usage is still immense, and does not improve after time. If anything, it gets worse. Rebooting the system has no effect. I run nothing but essential services and driver control panels in memory. I have a very streamlined bootup. I have no spyware or virii. I have everything updated. This is frustrating because Limewire is an otherwise fantastic program. Even 25% CPU usage would seem absurd on a system like this. Relatively speaking, Windows Media Player rarely exceeds 5-6% CPU usage on heavy process content(hi-res video), and UT 2004, Morrowind, and other high-CPU load games run smooth as silk.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer me.

First thing was I had to disable simple file sharing to gain access to a file. I had just formatted and started to download some stuff and would go into my downloads and if I even some much as highlighted this file, my CPU would max out. When I shut down it would say explorer not responding. I reabled simple file sharing and it seems better so far. Not sure about the reboot not doing any good though.

I don't seem to have any problems accessing the files. I have not toggled simple file sharing on and off though. Does anyone know what that does relative to Limewire?

go to task manager

scroll through all your applications running, it should show a list of objects and all of them should have numbers beside them (XP) these numbers represent the CPU power they are requiring, end-task w/e is taking up 95% or w/e it may be

I have done that. I always end up closing Limewire because IT is what is using all that CPU. The only other thing is system idle task but obviously I'm not supposed to close that. I should mention I've been doing computer repair for over a decade!

Well it doesn't look like it should be from your sys. specs.
You seemed to have plenty of resources.

I was going to say scan for spyware but you already did that. You say you updated windows that may be the problem.
One more thing I've been using Bearshare for almost 5 years, I recomend you try out Bearshare

My computer does the very same thing...
was beginning to think I was alone

I have very similar system to yours too.

Athlon XP x64 3000+ CPU
1Gb RAM
200Gb Seagate HDD
nVidia 7800GTX Video card with 78.01 drivers
Windows XP Pro + SP2
Latest Limewire
Latest Java VM from SUN

I see Limewire taking 80 - 99% of CPU, with javaw.exe taking the remainder.

I also notice the same with another java program, but I cant remember what it was now.

I am a computer technician by profession, and I have taken all the usual steps to work out the fault. It would appear that its caused by the java VM, except that Azureus works on my system, wich is a java Bittorrent client.

EDIT: Remembered what the other program was... its the video player at the website http://www.bigad.com.au,
which is also java based.

Athelon 64 2800
1GB ram
120GB HD
ATI Radeon 9800
Windows XP PRo. SP2 all updates


My whole computer locks up when I start up...only when limewire is running. My whole internet connection(cable) goes down the toilet as well.....

No idea whats going on

Dangus: is your CPU a 64 bit chip?

And is anyone having this problem with p4 chips?

We may have a culprit ...

this would make sense becuase i too have this problem, and im using a AMD 4200 overclocked too 2.64Ghz, but i have actually successfully used limewire on this computer so i really dont know