Importing old library using external hard drive

Hi There,
My old PC (XP) died. I removed the old HD and stuck it in an external Hard Drive case.
How do I re-import my old iTunes library (with star ratings etc) onto my new PC (Vista)?
Thanks

Assuming that you have installed iTunes on you old PC and not yet added any music.
With iTunes closed, drag the iTunes folder out of music to the desktop.
Copy the old iTunes folder form the external drive into Music so that it replaces the iTunes folder you dragged out.
Ensure that your account has ownership and full control of the itunes folder.
Vista file folder permissions help
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2464a180-e5dc-45d1-a2b8-3c8a 2b571e9d1033.mspx
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/25/how-to-take-ownership-and-grant-permiss ions-in-windows-vista/
You should have your old library when you next open iTunes.
If you did have some music files in the folder you dragged out, you will have to add them back to your library.

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