LimeWire FAQ

Installation and Upgradesspacer

Q: I’m getting a search result claiming there is an URGENT LimeWire update. Should I download it and install it?
A: No, that search result is a malicious scam that could harm your computer. Do not download or install that file.

Q: Does it matter which version of LimeWire I use?
A: Yes. Using the most recent version of LimeWire allows users to enjoy the best program functionality. Bugs reported in older versions have been fixed for our latest version. Any users with LimeWire 2.5 or earlier MUST update. To download LimeWire, please visit www.limewire.com. The LimeWire program will automatically notify you if there is a new version available.

Q: What’s the difference between an "update" and an "upgrade"? If I’ve already paid for LimeWire PRO, do I need to pay again?
A: To update means to install the latest version of LimeWire. To upgrade is to purchase LimeWire PRO. If you are already a LimeWire PRO customer and you purchased PRO within the past 6 months, you do not need an upgrade, but you may need to update. You can update for free [here].

Q: How much does LimeWire cost?
A: LimeWire BASIC is completely free to download and use. An enhanced version of LimeWire, LimeWire PRO, is also available for a one time charge. LimeWire PRO can be purchased as an electronic download only. LimeWire is a software application. The one-time payment for LimeWire PRO is a payment to purchase a copy of the program. PRO purchasers also receive Technical Support via email and up to 6 months of free updates. You will not be charged again by Lime Wire after your initial purchase. After 6 months, PRO users have the option to purchase an additional 6 months of technical support and free updates for a reduced price.

Q: I am trying to install LimeWire on Windows, and I keep getting an error message saying that the installer is corrupt. What can I do?
A: There may have been an error in the transmission of the installer causing it to become corrupt while it was being downloaded. Delete the installer that you have already downloaded and clear your browser’s cache, then try downloading it again. Also make sure that you are not using any download managers or download accelerators as they have been known to produce these errors.

Q: What’s the difference between the Recommended Installer and the Offline Installer?
A: The Recommended, or "Stub," Installer saves bandwidth on our servers by downloading the installer from other LimeWire users rather than from our servers. If for some reason you are having problems using the Recommended Installer, try using the Offline Installer. The Recommended Installer is only available for LimeWire BASIC.

Q: The installer freezes at "installing Java," so the LimeWire installation never finishes. What can I do?
A: The Java installer can occasionally freeze on some systems. If this happens, uninstall all versions of LimeWire and Java Runtime Environment from Add/Remove Programs located in the Control Panel ("Uninstall a program" on Windows Vista), then install Java here, then install LimeWire.

Q: I am an AOL subscriber, and I am having trouble downloading and installing.
A: Many AOL users have had problems successfully downloading and installing LimeWire when using the AOL browser. Downloading the installer with a different browser, such as Firefox or Internet Explorer, should allow you to download and install without any problems.

Q: What should I do if I’m still having trouble installing and running LimeWire?
A: First, make sure that you have enough space on your hard drive. For further help, please see the following link: [www.limewire.com/forum.htm]

Starting LimeWire and Connecting
Q: Why does LimeWire take so long to load?
A: It takes a while to initialize the LimeWire GUI. In general, startup times for Java applications are slower than for native applications. However, Java programs will work much faster after initialization.

Q: I try to start LimeWire and nothing happens. What’s the problem?
A: First check to make sure that LimeWire is not already running in your system tray (next to the time). If you see it, click the lime icon to restore LimeWire (you may need to click the left arrow "<" button to expand the system tray). If LimeWire is not running, you may have uninstalled it, or a spyware removal program may have miscategorized LimeWire as spyware and removed it from your computer (such as AOL’s anti-spyware software), yet the shortcut still appears on your Windows desktop or taskbar. Please update to the latest version of LimeWire by downloading the installer (existing PRO customers can download here). If LimeWire is not running and is installed on your Windows system yet you still cannot launch it, Java may be corrupted. To correct the problem, uninstall the Java Runtime Environment from Add/Remove Programs (go to: Start > Control Panel) and then redownload and install it here.

Q: Do I need to be connected to the Internet to run LimeWire?
A: YES. The Gnutella network is a system of computers connected only through the internet. In order for LimeWire to connect to the Gnutella network, an internet connection must be present. LimeWire will not establish an internet connection for you.

Q: Every time I click the LimeWire icon to open it, I get the error "LimeWire was unable to initialize and start. . ." What does this mean?
A: Some security programs block loopback connections for all programs on your computer unless an exception has been created within the security program. If you are running Norton Antivirus, look for the Internet Worm Protection feature, and add LimeWire to the list of exceptions in that section.

Q: What is a loopback connection?
A: A loopback connection is a connection where your computer talks to itself. An application will often utilize loopback connections in order to send messages to itself (for example, to see if a previous instance of the application is already running).

Q: Why can’t I establish a good connection immediately?
A: The longer you run LimeWire, the better its connection to the network becomes. Running the application for an extended period of time will generally result in a better user experience.

Q: Why do I sometimes lose my connection to the Gnutella network?
A: Intermittent connectivity can be the sign of a faulty internet connection, limitations imposed by your ISP, or errors caused by any hardware/software applications connected with your internet connection, such as driver incompatibilities, old hardware, a slow/overloaded ISP or many other possibilities. Also, if you get disconnected from the Gnutella network, it will have no impact on your downloads already in progress. There is also a known issue that affects some Windows XP SP2 systems that causes LimeWire to disconnect and remain disconnected. To find out if it affects you, do the following at the moment LimeWire becomes disconnected:
1. Go to: Start > Settings > Control Panel (Make sure you are in "Classic" view)
2. Go to: Administrative Tools > Event Viewer
3. Click System in the list on the left side of the window
If you see an error with an event ID of 4226 that was generated at the moment LimeWire disconnected from the Gnutella network, then the following suggestions should help to reduce the occurrence of that error:
* Disable Ultrapeer Capabilities in Tools > Options > Speed
* Minimize the number of simultaneous downloads (can also be found in Options > Downloads)
* Minimize the number of other internet programs used alongside LimeWire

Q: How come I only connect to a few host? I used to connect to many more hosts!
A: High performance and bandwidth machines on the network are recognized by LimeWire as ‘Ultrapeers’. These machines accept connections from many LimeWire clients while also connecting to the rest of the Gnutella network. Moreover, the Ultrapeer shields these ‘regular’ LimeWire clients from the CPU and bandwidth requirements associated with Gnutella, directing traffic to clients in an efficient manner. The reason you see only a few connections in your connections tab is because you are a LimeWire client connected to an Ultrapeer. Unfortunately, not all Ultrapeers are as good as others. If you find that you aren’t getting many search results with the Ultrapeers you are connected to, simply disconnect and connect. You’ll probably connect to different Ultrapeers that are more ‘connected’. Also, as time goes on and the network grows, you’ll receive more results. Moreover, we are currently working hard to ensure that any Ultrapeer you connect to will be well connected – stay tuned to future versions of LimeWire.

Searching

Q: What types of files can I search for and share using LimeWire?
A: If the file can be put on to a computer, you can search for it with LimeWire. LimeWire can search for virtually any file type, allowing users to share audio, video, and program files, to name just a few. For further information on which types of files are shared by default, see Tools > Options > Sharing. For more information on the file extensions associated with each file type, please see the user guide.

Q: Why can’t I find the file I’m looking for?
A: The content of the Gnutella network consists solely of files which people running Gnutella software are sharing. If nobody is sharing the particular file you’re looking for, you won’t be able to find it using LimeWire. Furthermore, even if somebody running Gnutella software IS sharing the file you’re looking for, it’s possible that person doesn’t fall within your reachable area. In this case, you won’t be able to find the files you’re looking for, either. Since the entire Gnutella network isn’t always reached with each search, searching for the same thing a second time may yield more results. The Gnutella network is continuously growing. In general, the more people that use it (and the longer they keep the application running), the more good content will be available to everyone.

Q: Can I control the maximum number of searches?
A: Yes. Go to: Tools > Options > Searching > Basic. From there you can change "Maximum Searches" (set at 5 by default). It controls how many search tabs you can have at once.

Q: LimeWire isn’t as connected as it used to be! I only get a few searches in my ‘Monitor’ window!!
A: The latest versions of LimeWire will designate you as either a "Leaf" or an "Ultrapeer". If you are a leaf shielded by an ultrapeer, you will not be able to see all the search terms being sent to the network. However, if you are an ultrapeer, you will see a constant stream of search terms in the Monitor window. It is also possible that some leaf nodes will see a constant stream of incoming searches if the files that they are sharing contain popularly searched keywords.

Q: How does the Junk button work?
A: If you see a search result that is not relevant to your query or one that appears to be a virus of some sort, you can now mark it as Junk by selecting it and then clicking the "Junk" button. Over time, LimeWire learns which files are relevant and which ones are not. If a relevant file has been marked as Junk by the filter, then you can mark it as "Not Junk". When you feel confident that LimeWire has learned which files should be marked as junk, then you can instruct LimeWire to hide all junk results by going to Tools > Options > Filters > Junk.

Downloading

Q: Why do I keep getting "Need More Sources"?
A: There are several possibilities:
1. Each Gnutella user has a limited number of slots reserved for uploads. When these slots are filled, you’ll see a message that LimeWire is waiting for a certain number of "busy" clients. LimeWire will automatically retry downloads from these clients after a variable period of time in hopes that upload slots will become free. However, if the person who has the file you’re trying to download has too many people requesting files, he won’t be able to serve any more file requests, and your connection will be refused.
2. If the person who has the file you’re trying to download has recently turned off his computer or has disconnected from the Gnutella network, you will be unable to download the file.
3. If the person who has the file you’re trying to download is running inferior or buggy Gnutella software, the download could fail for any number of reasons.
4. If the person who has the file you’re trying to download has since deleted the file or moved it, you may encounter problems downloading the file.
To minimize the chances of failed downloads, make your search more specific.You will have more pertinent search results from which to choose a download.

Q: Why do some things take so long to download?
A: The speed at which a download takes place is limited by both the bandwidth of the downloader and by the bandwidth of the uploader. A file cannot by transferred faster than the uploader is capable of sending it, nor can it be transferred faster than the downloader is capable of receiving it. If you have a T1 Internet connection and you are trying to download a file from a person with a 56K modem, your transfer is going to take place rather slowly. Furthermore, some clients limit the speed at which they will upload files for the sake of saving bandwidth.

Q: What’s the difference between "Need More Sources" and "Awaiting Sources"?
A: They are identical except that you must wait a short period before finding more sources if "Awaiting Sources" is the status of a download.

Q: When I try to download certain files I get a message that says "Waiting for busy hosts". What does this messages mean?
A: The "Waiting for busy hosts" message occurs when the server refuses your download because it is too overloaded. In other words, demand outstrips supply. LimeWire will continue to retry the download as long as it gets the busy signal. If you’re willing to wait long enough, you’ll probably get the file.

Q: When I select a search result and click the Download button, nothing happens! What’s up with that?
A: You may have selected "Always use this answer" on a dialogue box. In order to correct it, go to Tools > Options > View > Popups > Revert to Default. On a mac, go to LimeWire > Preferences > View > Popups > Revert to Default.

Q: Why do my pending downloads have the "Queued" status?
A: If you have selected more files to download simultaneously than you have allowed in the Options, then any additional files you choose to download will automatically remain in the "Queued" status until more download slots become available. In order to increase the number of simultaneous downloads, go to Tools > Options > Downloads, and then change the number of Maximum Downloads.

Q: Can I resume the download of a file?
A: Yes. Click the Resume button while your download is selected. If the incomplete file is still on your computer but does not appear in the list of downloads, go to the Library, click "Incomplete Files" and then resume the download from there.

Q: What happens to my active downloads if I exit LimeWire?
A: If you exit the LimeWire program, any downloads that were in progress will terminate at this time. These downloads will resume the next time you start the program, but only if the host of that download is connected to the Gnutella network.

Q: Where are my files stored before they have completed the download process?
A: They are stored in an "Incomplete" directory. Click the "Library" tab to view.

Q: Can I "preview" files before they have completed downloading?
A: You can preview in-progress downloads of media files by simply double clicking on the name of a file currently being downloaded or pressing the "Launch" button after highlighting the file being downloaded. Note that not all files can be previewed. If you encounter any problems when trying to preview a file, it may be that the file is in use by another program. If that’s the case, either exit the program that is previewing the file, or do not preview the same file twice in a row.

Q: Does LimeWire preserve the state of downloads in the case of a system crash?
A: Yes. LimeWire will generally behave as if you had quit the program.

Q: How can I prevent my children from seeing adult content in the search results?
A: The filter option can block access to files in a variety of ways. Go to Tools, Options, Filters, and Keywords. Here you’ll be able to set limitations to the search results you receive. For example:
1. If you don’t wish to see particular search results (for example, pictures of Niagara Falls), enter that data into the text field and click "Add".
2. Click on "Ignore Adult Content" to filter pornography.
3. You can use the built-in "Ignore vbs files" and "Ignore .htm/.html files" features to block Visual Basic Scripts and web pages, respectively, from your search results (please note this can also be done by searching for media types only)
4. If there are particular IP addresses you wish to ignore (if, for example, a particular IP address was sending you unsolicited results), click under Hosts where you could enter that IP address into the "Ignore these hosts" window and click "Add."
5. LimeWire can also learn which types of files are "junk" search results and which ones are valid. When a "junk" result is retrieved, select it and click the "Junk" button to mark it as junk.

Q: Might I download a virus using LimeWire?
A: LimeWire does not keep any record of files being shared on the Gnutella network, nor does it scan any files being uploaded or downloaded for viruses. Therefore, if you attempt to download a virus-infected file using LimeWire, you will be vulnerable to any viruses contained in that file. Generally speaking, you should be very careful when downloading files with a .exe or .vbs suffix, since these files are more likely than most to be viruses. LimeWire’s Library will also not launch these files, so you can only run a file with a virus from outside LimeWire. (LimeWire’s Library will not launch exe, vbs, lnk, bat, sys, or com files) Scanning the files you download with some sort of virus-protection software is also a good idea.

Q: How do I prevent downloading bogus files that are actually advertisements?
A: Some servers on the Gnutella network serve advertisements with false filenames to fake popular search results. If you find yourself downloading search results that end up being advertisements, you can stop receiving search results from that host by doing the following:
* On Mac, highlight the search result in question by clicking on it. Hold down the apple key and click the mouse. Check "Block Host".
* On Windows, right click the search result and "Block Host".
Additionally, you can mark suspicious search results as junk by selecting them and clicking the "Junk" button. If a file has been marked as junk that is a valid search result, it can be marked as "Not Junk". LimeWire will learn over time which search results are valid and filter out the junk results accordingly.

Uploads

Q: What is an upload slot, and how many does each user have?
A: Upload slots represent the number of files other users can download from you at any one time. The default number of slots varies based upon the connection speed you set at installation, and the default bandwidth usage is set at 100 percent of your connection speed. You can self-configure your number of upload slots and percentage of bandwidth usage by clicking on Tools > Options > Uploads > Basic/Slots.

Q: Can I shut down LimeWire–but not interrupt-uploads that are in progress?
A: If you put LimeWire in your system tray it will continue your active uploads, even after LimeWire has been shut down. LimeWire does this automatically when you close it.

Firewall Issues

Q: What if I’m behind a firewall?
A: LimeWire will work when a user is behind certain types of firewalls, but will not work behind certain other types. In general, if you can connect (you will see your "connection status" in the lower left hand corner of the application) using LimeWire, you should be able to download and upload files.

Q: How Can I tell if I’m behind a firewall?
A: In general, many corporations are behind firewalls, whose configurations vary greatly from organization to organization. See your system administrator for further details. LimeWire will also notify you if it detects a firewall by displaying a globe icon with a brick wall in front of it, which is directly to the right of the connection status indicator. If the globe does not have the brick wall in front of it, then you are not behind a firewall.

Files

Q: How do I share my files?
A: LimeWire will automatically share the files you’ve downloaded. You can also share files in several other ways. First, move files from other folders on your system to your LimeWire shared directory (C:\Program Files\Document and Settings\[user]\Shared is the default location for the folder on Windows XP systems where [user] is your Windows login username). In Windows, you can go to your Library Tab and click the "Explore" button to open your library in Windows Explorer. Alternately, you can add a directory that you would like to share by adding a shared directory from the "Tools>Options>Sharing" window. Click on "Add" to Browse your files.

Q: Will the number of files I share affect my LimeWire experience?
A: It could. If you’re not sharing enough files, users with certain connection preferences won’t let you connect to them for downloading. For this reason, we recommend all LimeWire users share generously with one another. Still, we advise you to be selective with the files you share. For instance, DO NOT sh

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