New computer, files are on old, external USB HD, can't get LR2 to recognize them

Installed LR2 on my first iMac 2 years ago and set it up so all my photos live on my external, USB drive. Bought my new computer, re-installed LR2, plugged in my original USB HD and I can't get LR2 to look at the files.
I looked around in the help and deleted my library file from the new computer's HD. Now when I start up, it asks me
All my photos are on my USB HD (I can see them in Finder) but I really don't want to have to re-import them to LR2 again.
thanks!
OS 10.6.7
Intel i7 iMac

You have to find the catalog that LR worked with before you switched computers.
You see, LR cannot "see" image-files that are on a hard drive unless it has the catalog to go with these images.
For LR to work, you always need two things: the image-files and the catalog (and your previews).
So, where is the catalog? Best way to go about it would be:
Attach the external hard drive to your old computer and open LR. Go to Edit > Catalog Settings > General Tab. Select "Every time LR exits".
Close LR and the backup dialog will come up that lets you choose a back-up location. Select your external hard drive as the location.
When LR has finished the backup, connect the external drive to your new computer. In your OS navigate to the location of the backup and double-click the file with the ending "lrcat".
LR will open with this catalog, and if you haven't changed the location and/or the names of your image-files or image folders it will find the images.
WW
PS: Make sure that the external hard drive on the new computer has the same drive-letter as it had on the old computer. If it doesn't do the followin:
In the Libarary Module you should see question marks besides your folders. Right-click the folder that is top-most in the hierarchy and point LR to the location of this folder on your hard drive.
WW

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