New computer moving the music

Question

i have a new computer and want to set up my music and itunes on this new computer i have copied all the music into a file "my music" on an external hard disk. and loaded the new itunes from the web site i have copied the my music folder into the my music folder on the new computer but the system only works when the the extrenal disk is connected when i disconnect the HD i get an error message The folder"itunes" cannot be found or created, and is required. The default location for this is inside the "My Music" folder.But when i look the folder is there! hOw hrad can it be ? Help Please

Answer 1

Note: much of the below is a "canned response". See the info below in the same color as this part for additional info related to your specific question...
Assuming you use the iTunes default settings where iTunes copied added items to your iTunes folder and organizes your library (meaning - everything is all self contained in the iTunes folder), then all you have to do is drag & drop your iTunes folder (not just the iTunes Music folder you find inside the iTunes folder) to the external drive and copy the entire thing.
If you want to test that it worked or would like to actually start using it from that location instead, use these instructions when you start iTunes to point it to the new location...
How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
If you are just testing, then close iTunes after you verify it works, and restart iTunes again with the same instructions and point it back to your internal drive (original) location.
At this point, your next step would be to copy the folder back to your new computer. If iTunes does not automatically detect the new library (assuming you copied it to the right location) then use the instructions above to again open an "alternate" library and manually point iTunes to the library. You should be all set then.
Cheers,
Patrick