win98 hangs with "while" at start of windows gui

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Mysys:
runs dual boot win 98 and Linux FC5 using GRUB as the loader.

Problem:
I have had a system that ran perfectly for "years" until last week In the middle of a download it lockedup - no response from kb or mouse. The download was running fine until I selected an online folder at the download site purporting to contain pdf files.
what i did:

- Full cold reboot.
Boot runs through the bootloader to select windows and then hangs.

- try booting to safemode menu - the menu appears and I can selexct any option but there is no activity - it hangs
- tried F8 for step by step.
- bootlog=y
- device himem.sys /testmem:eek:n=y
- device dblbuff.sys /D+=y
- device high ifshlp.sys=y
- win GUI=y

the screen then shows "while" and nothing else. it hangs.
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Rebooting into Linux I can mount and look at the windows files. They appear to be OK. there are no recent changes (lastmod date) to the main system (that i can see).
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I do have another machine running 98 if I need any files etc,
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The fact that I can get to the point where it should start the windows gui implies to me that something passed the firewall / antivirus and changed something. . . ?

Question:

Can someone please list the actions / files that windows is accessing at the point of the hang. Any help on finding where the file is that contains the "while" command would be appreciated.

Ever hopeful
Myk
 
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