How do I move my itunes music library to a new computer?

Question

I bought a new PC--Dell inspiron 530, running Windows Vista.
I need to transfer my itunes library (itunes 7) from my old computer which runs Windows XP.
I have a CD/DVD burning capability on the old computer.
I understand that there is a way to transfer that entire music library using CD/DVD, but I get conflicting information--one thing I've read tells me that I can only transfer music I've purchased fro the itunes Store; another article tells me I can transfer the entire library.
Does anybody have a step-by-step procedure to effect this type of transfer (moving the entire itunes library)?
Thanks very much for any assistance you can provide.
DR

Answer 1

Probably the most straightforward way to get iTunes onto your second computer is to network it with the first one and copy your iTunes folder across. Start by consolidating your library. When you consolidate, any songs in the iTunes Library that are not in the iTunes Music Folder are copied to the Music Folder and the Library is updated to point to those new files. Files already in the iTunes Music Folder have no changes made to them: Copying all your iTunes files to one location - Windows
Copying the whole folder brings with it the iTunes Music folder and also the iTunes Library (iTunes Library.itl in Windows) database file which holds all the information about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). You'll get more information including the Folder/File structure in this article: What are the iTunes library files?
When you copy the iTunes folder make sure you put it into the same location on the new computer. On a PC the default location is \Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\My Music\ (or C:\Username\Music\ in Vista). You should also use the same version of iTunes on both computers.
You can also use this method with an external hard drive, you drag the folder from the first computer to the external drive and then from the drive to the second computer.
If you have and iPod, some iPods can be used as an external drive and you can use them to move your iTunes (this option isn't available with the iPod Touch): How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer
If you have any iTunes purchases in your library don't forget that you'll need to authorise your new computer to play them. Also if you are disposing of the old one remember to deauthorise it so you don't use up one of your allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation