New Pc: how can I transfer my Itune library into a new pc?

Question

Hi,I will shortly be replacing my pc with a new one and I have a little dilemma:
1 = what do I need to do once I have a new PC up & running? If i just download Itunes will all my exsisting Libriray still be there?
2 = Also I have purchased some videos, How can I save them on external drive or cds?
anyone can advice would be highly appreciated.
many thanks
hERMES

Answer 1

*1 = what do I need to do once I have a new PC up & running? If i just download Itunes will all my exsisting Libriray still be there?*
You'll have to move your music and library from the old computer. The iTunes library is a database that links to the songs on your hard drive, neither the library files or the songs will get to your new computer just by installing iTunes.
*2 = Also I have purchased some videos, How can I save them on external drive or cds?*
Have a look at this article: iTunes for Windows: How to copy purchases between authorized computers
Probably the most straightforward way to get iTunes onto your new computer is to network it with the old one and copy your iTunes folder across. This works fine if you have been using iTunes to completely manage your music and all your songs are in iTunes Music not in different folders. You can also use this method with an external hard drive, you drag the folder from the old computer to the external drive and then from the drive to the new computer. If the songs in your library are not all in the iTunes Music folder you can consolidate them. When you consolidate, any songs in the iTunes Library that are not in the iTunes Music Folder are copied to the Music Folder and the Library is updated to point to those new files. Files already in the iTunes Music Folder have no changes made to them: Copying all your iTunes files to one location - Windows
Copying the whole folder brings with it the iTunes Music folder and also the iTunes Library (iTunes Library.itl in Windows) database file which holds all the information about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). You'll get more information including the Folder/File structure in this article: What are the iTunes library files?
When you copy the iTunes folder make sure you put it into the same location on the new computer. This has to be the exact same place, on a PC this is \Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\My Music\. Everything has to be exactly the same on the new computer including the Windows user account name. When you open iTunes on the new computer it will be the same as on the original one Songs, Playlists, Play Counts, Ratings etc. You should also use the same version of iTunes on both computers.
If you have an iPod it can be used as an external drive and you can move the iTunes folder onto it: How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer
Don't forget that you'll need to authorise your new computer to play your iTunes purchases. Also if you are disposing of the old one remember to deauthorise it so you don't use up one of your allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation