[Juicebox]

Ok, so i am new to trying SA-MP and really want to get it working. I have downloaded and installed all of the files i need to, tried following every guide i possibly can to make it work, but whenever i try to play in someones server, it won't connect to the server. Alternately i've tried making my own server, and that doesn't work either. I can explain anything for more detail if needed. All help is very much appreciated.
P.S. I don't know if this matters, but im running windows 7 home premium, and i also torrented San andreas and it is cracked using a different exe, so i don't know if that has something to do with it.