Won't recognize library on ext. HD...

I have a Maxtor 300 GB ext. fire Wire HD loaded with over 80GB of music files.I had this connected to my old 12" PB and it recognized it just fine when I pointed to the file folders in iTunes and for some reason, on my brand new 17" PB that ain't working...the new PB DOES recognize ALL the other things stored on the ext. HD except for my music file s AND iPhoto also won't recognize my 7,000 photos loaded on there too.
Anybody got any ideas?

when I pointed to the file folders in iTunes
I presume you changed your 'iTunes Music folder location' in the preferences.
That's confusing a lot of people. You 'told' iTunes where to put the next ripped CD or purchased music, but not where your present music is stored.
That information is stored in the 'iTunes Library' file inside ~/Users/yourusername/Music/iTunes.
If your new PB has the same structure (names etc.) as your old PB and you still have access to the 'iTunes library' file on your old PB this might work:
Copy the 'iTunes Library' file from your old PB to your new PB.
Replace the 'iTunes Library' file on your new PB with the one from your old PB.
Run iTunes and all information should be there (including playlists, ratings etc.).
If this trick doesn't work, drag the folder on your external HD which contains your music, to the iTunes window and drop it there.
Your music will now be added to the library, but you lost playlists etc.
If your music contains purchased music (at the iTMS), this article might be of interest:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93063
Hope this helps with iTunes.
Can't help you with iPhoto. Post your question in the iPhoto discussion
M

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If iTunes is running, quit iTunes.
If you are using Windows, hold down the Shift key and from the Start menu and choose All Programs > iTunes > iTunes.
You should see the following screen:
Additional information
If you do not see the screen above, then you did not hold the correct key at the correct time. You may want to try again. Note that if you pinned iTunes to the Start menu programs, and open it that way, it may not work.
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iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1589
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