I am new.  Actually, I am still downloading the client at the moment.  However, given what I\'ve read on the FAQs and in your post, my guess is that you are either having trouble connecting to the server, or you are just not waiting long enough.  How fast is your internet speed?  Do you have a firewall?  Have you tried restarting the client?  Hopefully this will help out untill someone who knows what they are talking about comes by.