Help! library on external drive...new laptop...

I have iTunes running on the C drive of my old laptop with my library on an external hard drive. I am trying to move only Itunes to a new laptop while keeping the library on the external drive. I have a an empty Itunes library and a hard drive full of songs. Can I get my music back, with all my playlists if possible?
  Windows XP  

OK make sure you take note of the drives letter on the OLD pc as this is the letter you will have to change it too on the new PC
On NEW PC
1) Download and install the latest version of iTUnes and if you have an iPOd install the latest ipod updater here http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/
2) With ipod disconnected and iTunes closed, connect the external.
3) Change the externals drive letter to the one it was on the old PC. Goto ( WIn XP ) Control panel>Admin Tools>Computer management>Disk Management. Rightclick the external drive and hit "CHange Drive Letter" and change it to what it was on the old PC.
4) Goto My Music>iTUnes folder and delete "iTunes Library.itl"
5) Open iTunes, goto File>Import and locate/import the "iTUnes Music Library.xml" file you have saved on the external drive
Now you should be up and running smooth

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