Unplug, plugin VGA cable, now failed startup?

I am new here, I tried to search but no threads popped up, so forgive me if you've all heard this one before.

Found a very old computer, set it next to my HP Pavilion, which has been working great. I'd consider myself to have intermediate knowledge about PC's, and I know that system was fine. No virii, spyware, adware, etc.

I unplugged the VGA cable, inserted it into the VGA output on the old beast,, and connected power with a separate power cable. Started, and got some graphical message saying the systems basically very unhappy and to consult the manual. Cool, fun project. For now I'm thinking, "OK reconnect VGA cable to my working PC, and research the problem.

After connecting VGA, nothing happens. I realize I had unplugged the VGA cable, plugged it into the old computer, and back into my computer, all while the HP was still on. I know this is normally not smart...but I figured hey, its just a VGA cable. So i press restart... things go normally, Windows XP screen pops up, with the little progress bar.

Now here's where things go wrong. Windows won't start. Just a black screen. Nothing.

I've been trying to use the windows recovery CD, and now am in a loop because everytime I start again, it wants to continue installing windows XP.

When I try and do a "repair" it asks for the admin password. I don't know it? Blank doesn't work. This PC was just handed to me by my friend. I've been using it for about a year and a half with no problems.

HP support deduced it "must be a virus" since I had downloaded games and music recently. OK right.

I guess the question is...what next? I'd like to retain my files/data.
I don't have the windows XP product key. Nor do I know the admin password.

I ran this installation disk, and i heard to press shift-F10 during the installing devices part, to access a security hole...typed nusrmgr.cpl to get a GUI of all the user accounts. unfortunately i get a message saying this account cannot be found.

If anyone has any advice, please help. I simply do not understand how unplugging and plugging back in a VGA cable can prevent me from starting windows succesfully. Again, I am 99.9 percent positive my system has no virii or other PC "sicknesses"

 

If you can take the hard drive out slave it in another computer get your files of it that way then replace the drive back in your computer and do a clean install..It is a shame you never used the magic jellybean key finder to give you your product key so atleast you would of had it..

I have no clue how you could retrieve your admin passowrd..maybe there is a dos way not sure..maybe another member will know..

Good luck..