Syncing to iTunes library on new iMac

Having just bought a new iMac I connected up my iPod which was immediately recognised by ITunes which opened. Unfortunately it says that it can only transfer the purchased items as the iPod is linked to another Library - presumably the one on my old PC. How do I reconcile this and avoid having all my songs erased during a 'sync'?

Thank you for your response! Here is how I had my system set up. I found a link to this in the chain from Zevoneer:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
After re-reading my initial post, I realize I was probably not clear enough about what I wanted to do with the music files on my external drive. This is where I have been operating my iTunes from, so everything is there. The only thing that isn't there as a result of my failed backup software is the backup of HD\Users\Me\Music\iTunes folder with the all important iTunes Library and iTunes Music Library.xml files. In other words, I've not only operated my iTunes from my external drive, but was (key word there) performing full system backups to this drive as well. Since the back up (what I need for iTunes Library files) is not current, I think all I can do here is put the pieces back together some other way. I will loose things like artwork and playlists, but my content should all be there, correct? I see it when I browse the external drive folders. My content consists of music and movies ripped from CD/DVD from my own collection, music, movies, and TV shows purchased from the iTunes store, and music purchased from other music stores as well as music I created myself in Garage Band and mp3's from other devices. Here are my more specific questions:
1. To put my content from my external drive into iTunes, do I just copy everything from the external into the internal iTunes music folder?
2. Is there something I need to do from here to rebuild my two Library files?
Then I assume I would need to repeat the steps in the previously mentioned KB article to get my "mechanical" set up back where I have my music files on my external drive only.
3. What, if anything will I need to do at the iTunes store in terms of registering/de-registering devices/computers? Since this is the same computer, my initial thought is nothing. I have a feeling though that even though it is the same exact hardware except for the new HDD, with a re-installed operating system, iTunes Store might think this is a new machine? Will I have to do anything specific to accomodate songs I brought in from my own CD's vs songs I purchased from the iTunes store? Will my iPod be OK as far as being registered on my account and later syncs with my rebuilt iTunes? I'll probably avoid syncing it as long as I can since I will loose my playlists once I do.
I read your message at the bottom about importing the contents of the media folder from the external drive, but don't see where to do that in iTunes. Do you mean to just copy the files from the external to the music folder on the internal? I'm running iTunes 10.1.1 (4) on Snow Leopard 10.6.5 if that helps. Regardless, thanks for taking the time to respond. I've already learned quite a bit more than I had before! Thanks!

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