changing employer on H1-B visa

My H1-B visa was sponsored by a consulting company starting from
Oct 2008. However, because of the economy they could not find any projects
for me and hence I could not start working from Oct 2008 in
U.S for them. I am at present outside U.S. I was about to enter the U.S. on
the consulting company H1-B visa in October 08, but did not as the consulting company did not have any projects for me. They did not even provide me with the application number of my H1-B application or USCIS approval notice.

Now, I have found another employer(U.S. university) who is willing to
sponsor a H1-B visa for me.

The problem is the consulting company is displeased with me so not willing to cooperate with me on any matter like prior petition number and approval notice. They thought they could bring me to the country and make a mint by renting my services to other companies, but since now I have a chance to come to the country through a university, they feel they have lost a source of income.

The university is willing to file a new petition for me, but if I disclose the prior petition details to university and mention it is approved, they might ask for details(not for themselves, but for USCIS) which I cannot provide as I don't have it. Is it required by USCIS rules in a situation like mine, for the new petition filer(for me, the university) to know such details about the old petitioner and its details? Am I required to know such details(during a visa interview) by USCIS regulations or just for the satisfaction of the interviewer? Will I need to provide any details for the second visa application(while scheduling an interview) about my first visa application like petition number?


While scheduling a visa appointment there are some questions like what are the different visas you have held and duration? What shall I state for them if I don't have the first H1-B visa application details?
Yes, because I had a petition approved or no, because I never had it stamped or entered the country on it?

How about if at the consulate they ask me why I don't know the details of first petition? How can I tackle such questions? Can this affect my greencard and citizenship applications(if I do any, at some point)?

Can I fully forget about the consulting company, my previous petition for immigration purposes or will I require their help at some point?

What are the main factors(possible issues in visa interview or second visa application) I need to be aware of?

What sort of questions will I encounter at the visa consulate? Can the fact
that I did not enter the country on previously applied visa and don't have
the previous visa application details hinder my new visa application by the
university?