How do I set up iTunes to read my music from my external hard drive after I have changed to a new computer with new operating software (previously WinXP now Win7)?

Before I got my new computer (which was operating on Windows XP), I successfully moved my itunes library to my external hard drive and ran it off that so as not to take up space on my laptop.  I now have a new computer which runs off of Windows 7.  I've tried going to iTunes-->preferences-->advanced-->"itunes media folder location" and pointing it to my external hard drive but it still doesn't show my library.  What do I need to do to make my iTunes library on my new computer read my iTunes library off of my external hard drive?

As Chris says... but if the media is on an external drive as above then you also need to make sure the external drive has the same drive letter on the system you are moving to or iTunes won't be able to find the files.
You might also find this topic useful: Make a split library portable.
tt2

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