I've tried downloading Trillian and Limewire on my new (3 months old) laptop, it refuses. I can download them, but they don't function. Is there a virus, please say no! I have firewalls and virus protection and the whole nin yards, but still... These programs will not download and function...

Pwease help me!!

What operating system do you have?

Ok, I'm computer stupid... so are referring to like Windows XP?? Cause that's what I have..

... I think...

....I think.....

Yes, that is what I am talking about. Thanks!

Are you sure?

If the laptop was bought new 3 months ago it probably has Vista on it. Try paying attention when you boot it, it will show you.

It has Windows XP.

This is really bothering me

Your firewalls and protection is probably what is preventing you from running. There should be options on your firewall to allow certain programs to run. If it is your firewall blocking this process.

They are downloading, just not running...

Well then that is your problem. In my experience. They are not running because your firewall is blocking access for those programs to run.

How do I change this??

What are the two programs for that you downloaded? If they are not too large, then I might try downloading them and see what happens on my own computer. Also, where are the sites located from where you downloaded them?

I am not familiar with these programs but tried to get an answer for you

Need to make sure they are not blocked by firewall -- do you know how?

When they downloaded was it a exe or zip extension -- Blah - Blah . Exe

If it is .zip it needs to be extracted with program like WinZip to install

Do you need to open certain ports to get it to run -- Communication ports

Finally check the sites for support -- Forums or FAQ's -- Good Stuff

Okay... not trying to nag chihuahua... but Limewire is illegal! They are starting to trace downloaders by your computer's IP address... saw this on the news... I used it, but I got rid of it immediately

I was under the understanding that we don't endorse pirating here (as it relates to Limewire).

NK makes an extremely valid point.
AMHD will NOT assist in anyway concerning P2P applications and the problems that arise from their use.

Question Closed.

but Limewire is illegal! They are starting to trace downloaders by your computer's IP address.....

Sorry but that's not correct. There is nothing illegal about Limewire itself. Just as there is nothing illegal about owning a car, but if you use that car to break the speed limit or run a red light, THEN you are doing something illegal.

The courts have ruled that a P2P service alone is not illegal since there are legitimate uses for P2P. Its using a P2P to distribute and download copyrighted materials that is illegal. The RIAA has been tracking downloader's IPs for several years now and has sued a bunch of downloaders. Almost all have settled up to this point. One decided to fight it and lost:
RIAA trial verdict is in: jury finds Thomas liable for infringement (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071004-verdict-is-in.html)

So the problem is not downloading Limewire, its what it will be used for. However, since the vast majority of people use P2P for downloading pirated material, the use of P2P software should not be condoned or promoted on this site.

Trillian, on the other hand is a shareware IM client.