Why don't you pin your old account here if you do have the old account. Wouldn't it be better to reset the password using the email registered to the account. Because I have also experienced the same thing where I forgot my account password and it can be resolved by resetting it via email and assistance from the forum manager.
If you used to be active on the forum, of course it would be a shame if it just disappeared and didn't try to open it, or the old account still hasn't ranked up.
Pin your old account and I'd like to see if you're an active past member or not, because I started being active in 2015.
Yes you are right that mate OP must pinned his old account in order recovered it using email. Or else he must try to contact the administrator here in forum in order to ask help about his old account.
But if his old account is not just active then the rank still newbie or member then his decision is good choice as he starts into a new beginning his account will surpass as he has an idea already how to contribute.