Brand new computer works fine next door but not at my house!

From: chris (cris.ebbs_at_nospambtopenworld.com)
Date: 07/13/04 

Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 18:45:19 +0000 (UTC)

Please excuse this query but I guess there may be a very simple answer....
My friend installed a few progs on my brand new computer (I bought this new
machine as a backup, to simply plug into my existing monitor, printer etc,
in case I had a disastrous crash). I went round to see how wonderfully it
all works and was impressed. I then unplugged it and took it back to my
house. My friend has now gone away for several weeks holiday.
I then plug it into my existing mains cable, monitor & mouse and press the
ON button......
Up comes the pretty picture with the icons neatly on the desktop, but that's
it..... The cursor is locked. I've tried restarting by using the button
several times, still locks up on starting.
Is it helpful to know that the screen detail looks rather coarse, as if the
wrong resolution has been set?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Chris