Limewire v. 4.18.2.0
System PC
OS: XP Home
stock firewall programs
DSL connection,
was using AVG as anti virus but it often caused Firefox to bog down and become unresponsive, so I uninstalled AVG for now
over 80gb of hard disk space available


I installed a fresh version of Limewire after buying a new computer. I have vision issues (color vision issues) so I have the system set on High Contrast Black since that is easiest for me to see. Upon start up of Limewire I noticed that I couldn't view the page/window properly because the set color scheme for Limewire was not complimentary to the system preferences, so I tried to change the skin for Limewire. When I tried this I got error messages telling me that the skins could not be found. I then downloaded fresh skins from the Limewire site. I went throught the process of installation just as explained on the skins page, but that is where I ran into a problem. There was no "themes folder" to place the newly downloaded skins into. I created a new folder and named it themes, after which I placed the skins files into the new themes folder, but that didn't correct the problem. I am still unable to access skins and without the ability to change the programs color schemes I am unable to utilize Limewire.

Has anyone encountered this problem before? Any ideas?

Did you try restarting LW?

Did you name the themes folder using undercase letters? (should be called themes not Themes) Do you have any files inside the themes folder that have the .lwtp file extension? Usually there will be one of those files accompanied by a folder of similar name with all the supporting files for that particular skin.

On a similar topic to your issue with viewing, you can also change text size displayed on LW via the View menu.

Yes the folder I created did/does have themes all in lower case.

Yes both skins I placed in that folder do have have the .lwtp file extension tag.

Changing the font size really doesn't help a whole lot when the vision issues have more to do with a lack of sufficient contrast between the text color and the background color. Why people cannot seem to program things using a basic black/white color theme as the basic is beyond me.

The High Contrast Black option for the windows system uses a black background and white text. The default skin for Limewire has a white background for the "found" files, so unfortunately this creates a situation where one has a white background and white text. This should be able to be corrected by utilizing a skin that has a black background. Then the text would show up, not to mention that the limewire window would have similar visuals as the desktop. I.E Black/dark background and white/light text, which is easier for my eyes to distinguish.

Often the problem when it comes to web/program design usability when creating a program that is usable for those of us with vision issues often deals with contrasts. For example making sure that the fonts are adjustable and that the text and background colors have significant contrast.

First off I am severe red/green collor defficient which can complicate things.

This might sound odd, but my suggestion is you delete the LW preferences folder whilst LW is closed. Next time you open LW you will be asked setup questions again, but this will force LW to create a 'fresh' LW preferences folder. LW MUST be closed at the time you remove & delete the LW preferences folder. It just seems odd you never had a themes folder. Something was obviously wrong. Sample image: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/window...tml#post183932

If possible, back up your skins first before you delete this folder. After the LW prefs folder is recreated .. add the skins back, then close & re-open LW.

Something else you can try, right-click the LW shortcut on desktop & choose Run as Administrator. Hopefully this might help to solve some issues.