What is the deal ?!?!?!?!
 

OK so I downloaded LimeWire Basic, let it all download, etc, and it all went smoothly. So I checked the 'Run LimeWire' checkbox on the last window of installation and waited a few minutes. After about 5 minutes of waiting, nothing. So I double clicked the LimeWire icon on my desktop, the little hourglass appeared by my mouse cursor, and after a few seconds dissapeared. So I waited again for a little while, and nothing. Why isn't my LimeWire loading?!?!? I've downloaded it about 5 times already. I also tried restarting my computer but that didn't help. I'm confused! Any help or advice would be appreciated. Also, I have Java J2SE Environment 5.0 Update 3 and Update 9 installed. Should I delete the update 3, or the update 9, or both??? Or should I just leave them. I have Firewall on, but LimeWire is exception! Please help!

Try steps 1, 3 & 5 of the sticky below. When you update Java, make sure to use the JRE offline installer. Remove your current Java version before you install the new one.
Fixes for LimeWire

If that doesn't help, reinstall LW & use the offline installer (not the recommended one)
http://www.limewire.com/english/content/download.shtml

If it's still not opening after that, if you're using any antispyware, make sure that LW's on the list of exceptions/allowed apps. Some programs will wrongly pick LW as a threat & stop it from working properly.
:)

I tried doing the steps 1, 3, and 5 on the sticky's list. 1 didn't work, and after I did 3, I tried loading LW and it said it was searching for shortcut and never did anything after that. So...I guess I'm going to try and download the offline version...I'll let you know how it goes.

When you did step 5, did you do it to the shortcut or to the program? It should be done directly to the program. Changing compatibility "might" have affected the shortcuts. Easy, just recreate them.

I'd suggest getting rid of the earlier version of Java. Keep just one version of Java on the computer. Java update 10 is out now btw. And always install your Java using the "Offline" installers; http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp (about 15 MB downld file.)

I didn't get to do step 5 becuase after doing step 3, I just kept getting the "searching for shortcut" window when double clicking LW icon. As for Java, I think I'm going to delete both Update 3 and 9, and get 10. Also, what's the difference between Java "offline" and "online"?

Offline means you're installing it directly from your computer. Online means you're installing it "whilst" you're downlding the data. This often causes problems & corrupt java installations.

go directly to root:\program files\limewire and double click on the LW.exe icon...if that works, then delete the shortcut(s) on the desktop and the start menu if there is one there, then right click on the .exe in program files and choose create shortcut...move said shortcut to the desktop, and then if you desire right click on it and choose pin to start menu