Transferring iTunes Library via External HD?

I currently have a Windows XP computer, and will be buying a new Vista PC. I backup my music to an external HD, and I was wondering if I could transfer my music (both purchased from iTunes and ripped from my CDs) to the new computer via the HD. I only own a 4 GB Nano, which is not big enough to hold the entire Music library. My old computer has a CD burner, but not a DVD burner, so using CDs for transferring would be very tedious. Any comments, suggestions, advice? Thanks.

Thanks for the reply!!!
The instructions I used were off this Apple Support site...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
I get both options to choose as well as create. I used choose when I did mine and it worked.
I did copy her entire itunes library.
This is exactly what is in the folder that I copied...
(folders)
Automatically add to itunes
Downloads
Mobile Applications
Movies
Music
Ringtones
Voice Memos
(XML Document)
Library
I do not see a .itl file anywhere.
I just looked on my file I copied that worked on my user name and I have (3) Itunes Database Files on it.
Thanks so much for the help!!!

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