ITunes Library Consolidation Issue

I am trying to consolidate my iTunes library to an external drive, but every time I try to run the "Consolidate Library" function iTunes freezes up. I have already migrated the media files over to the external drive, but need iTunes to recognize that they are located at that location as opposed to where they originally were. Does anyone know a way that this can be done piece-meal or if there's an alternative way to relocate an entire iTunes library?
Thanks in advance.

ed2345, I misspoke. I should have said I have already placed a duplicate copy of the files on the external drive (the original files are still in place) and repointed my media files location to the external drive. what I'm trying to do is basically re-point my current itunes library to the files on the external drive as opposed to the files on the internal drive. When I try to organize my library, itunes freezes. When I try to consolidate my library (which is what I thought was supposed to help accomplish this) itunes freezes.
I'm working with about 45 GB of music files, and I don't know if the size is what is causing iTunes to crash, or if it is something else. Sorry for the confusion.

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