I'm working locally on a wordpress theme and am modifying a comments.php template file that was created for version 2.7. My content keeps looping and I imagine this is the origin of the problem. I like this particular one because I understand the php which is not my strongsuit. Can anyone tell me what is making the content loop?

<?php
if(!empty($_SERVER['SCRIPT_FILENAME']) && 'comments.php' == basename($_SERVER['SCRIPT_FILENAME'])){
die('Please do not load this page directly!');
} 
if(post_password_required()){
?>
<p>This post is password protected.</p>
<?php return; } ?>

<?php
//Display the comment loop
if(have_posts()) :
?>
<h2><?php comments_number('Be the first to comment!', 'One Comment', '% Comments'); ?></h2>
<ol id='comments_section'>
	<?php wp_list_comments(array('avatar_size'=>80, 'reply_text'=>'Reply to this comment.')); ?>
</ol>
<div><?php paginate_comments_links(); ?></div>
<?php 
else ://If no comments so far 
?>

<?php if('open' == $post->comment_status) : ?>
<p>Have your say!</p>
<?php else :?>
<p>Comments currently closed!</p>
	<?php endif;?>
<?php endif; ?>
<?php if('open' == $post->comment_status) : ?>

<div id='respond'>
<h2><?php comment_form_title(); ?></h2>

<div id='cancel-comment-reply'>
	<small><?php cancel_comment_reply_link(); ?></small>
</div>

<?php if(get_option('comment_registration') && !$user_ID): ?>
	<p>You must be logged in to comment</p>
<?php else : ?>
<form action="<?php echo get_option('site_url'); ?>/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform">

<?php if($user_ID) :?>
<p>Logged in as <a href="<?php echo get_option('siteurl'); ?>/wp-admin/profile.php"><?php echo $user_identity; ?></a></p>

<?php else : ?>
	<p><input type='text' name='author' id='author' value="<?php echo $comment_author;?>" />
	<label for='author'>Name</label></p>
	<p><input type='text' name='email' id='email' value="<?php echo $comment_author_email;?>" />
	<label for='email'>Mail <?php if($req) echo '(Required field)';?></label>
	</p>
	<p>
	<input type='text' name='url' id='url' value="<?php echo $comment_author_url; ?>" />
	<label for='url'>Website</label>
	</p>
<?php endif; ?>
<div><?php comment_id_fields(); ?>
<input type="hidden" name="redirect_to" value="<?php echo htmlspecialchars($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'])?>" />
</div>

<p><textarea id='comment' name='comment' cols='50' rows='10'></textarea></p>

<?php if(get_option('comment_moderation') == '1'){ ?>
	<p>Comment moderation is enabled, no need to resubmit any comments posted.</p>
<?php } ?>	

<p><input type='text' name='submit' id='submit' value='Submit' /></p>
<?php do_action('comment_form', $post->ID); ?>
</form>
<?php endif; ?>
</div>
<?php endif; ?>

Junk it, and start from something up to date. Especially if PHP isn't your strong suit, you should never use old code.

Thanks for the advice, I've gone to modifying a template rather than trying to piece one together myself. Much easier.