Reinstalling and backing up iTunes

Before I installed iTunes on my computer, I purchased a portable 60GB hard drive thinking I would install all of the iTunes programs as well as my music library on that so that I could keep my computer hard drive clear of clutter. I also thought my music library would be safe located there in case something happened to my computer.
I installed the iTunes program on the portable hard drive and started loading it with my CD’s. After about 200 or more songs into it, I realized that they were being put on my computer hard drive, not the portable one.
I have decided just to keep the music library on my computer hard drive and use the portable one for back up. However, now I am stuck with the program on the portable one, so if I want to use iTunes, I have to plug in the portable drive.
I have two questions:
1. If I reinstall the iTunes program on my computer hard drive, will it overwrite all of my files, including my music library (causing me to lose it)?
2. I want to back up my music library onto the portable hard drive. Which files or folders do I need to copy? (I only have music stored in iTunes, not videos or photos.)

OK on a Windows PC, iTUnes creates a "iTUnes" folder in the "My Music" folder of windows. Inside the "iTUnes" folder there is the 2 "iTUnes Library" files and a "iTunes Music" folder where all purchased music from iTUnes and imported CDs are placed. More about what the Library files are, does and location can be read here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93732
No since you now want to keep the files on the C drive (Internal) First make sure the "iTUnes" folder is inside the "My Music" folder. Uninstall iTUnes from the external then download and install iTUnes from apple.com (It will install on the drive windows is on by default) You won't loose any music playlist ect ect.
The folder you want to back up is the whole "My Music" folder so your library, all music imported by iTunes AND all music imported/ripped outside iTUnes is backed up

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