Can't find my music in iTunes - new hard drive

I just had my computer repaired and they replaced the hard drive. Before I took it in for repair, I backed up all my data including music. But to do this I just copied all my files onto an external hard drive (I did not use any specific back up program). Now that my computer is repaired, they replaced the hard drive. I redownloaded iTunes but it is now the latest version but I think it might be an even more recent version than I had previously (and I don't know if this matters). So I put all my music into the iTunes folder (copied it back from my external hard drive) but when I open iTunes, it doesn't "find" it. I have tried every suggested "help" method I could find in the online FAQ support, but nothing works.
Separately, for my daughter, I somehow screwed up the backup of her profile and lost ALL of her purchased music. What are the chances that Apple will let me redownload all of her purchases? If they don't, I have a 15 year old girl who will most likely murder her mother when she gets home from camp!
And last question, I know that they only let you copy your music onto "5" computers. I already used up 2 uses due to replacement of my computer. Now with the new hard drive, will this make it number 3? I want to get a new laptop in the next year but don't want to get up to #4 of my allowance. Do they seriously expect us to repurchase all our music?
My computer is running Vista.

So I put all my music into the iTunes folder (copied it back from my external hard drive) but when I open iTunes, it doesn't "find" it.
If you didn't back up or restore the iTunes database files, you also need to drag the music into the open iTunes application window.
What are the chances that Apple will let me redownload all of her purchases?
Click here and ask.
And last question, I know that they only let you copy your music onto "5" computers.
For most purposes, that doesn't apply to recent song purchases.
(52550)

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