How do I consolidate two separate iTunes Media folders?

Apparently I have to separate iTunes Media folders. There is the one in the default location ( folder named "iTunes Media" in ~/Music/iTunes/ where the tilde "~" represents your home directory.) and one on my external harddrive. They BOTH have updates in varying folders.
At one point I moved my folder to the external drive, and thought I kept everything consolidated. When looking at the Advanced Preferences window (iTunes/Preferences/Advanced) it has my Media Folder location in the correct place, the external drive.
BUT I apparently have still be downloading SOME podcasts, mobile apps, and a couple of other things into an iTunes media folder in it's original / default location.
I have no idea why the original folder is there or how long I've been adding files to this dual media nightmare.
I'm just trying to figure out the easiest way to combine the two files.
Can I drag and drop the contents of folders from the default media into the external media? Or do I have to worry abut iTunes knowing where to look for these files? Why do I still have some podcasts and apps downloading into the default folder and some downloading into the external one?
I REALLY dont want to start over and deal with rebuilding my iTunes Media, because I know I'll loose lots of data or end up with tons of duplicates (it happened once before when switching between harddrives).
Thanks for any insight.

Hello Q-too_cool
I would start with checking out the article that talked about dealing with multiple devices on one computer. That is going to be the best way to have two accounts on one computer.
How to use multiple iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices with one computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1495
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Regards,
-Norm G.

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