How Do I Point iTunes to use my backup ext drive?

Sorry Rel and Herman for not replying sooner. I'm not sure what I did to access my backup but soon after the hard disk crash I was able to use my backup and access my playlists and music files without much difficulty.

The fun began a few days later when my replacement hard drive arrived. I wanted to make the new drive my primary drive so I copied (drag & drop method) the files and subfolders starting from the MUSIC folder from my backup to my new primary drive. No problem as all folders and files were copied and I verified total file counts to confirm everythng copied over.

So now I have 2 hard drives with exactly the same folder hierarchy and files. The only difference is the name of the hard drive. As Herman points out this is probably the reason that iTunes can't locate the files.

I tried Rel's suggestion to hold down the Option key while starting iTunes and choose the location of the iTunes folder and that didn't work as no music was listed in the iTunes Music area.

I'm not overly concerned as I can still see all of my music files on the backup drive. It's probaby as Herman mentioned a matter of iTunes still looking for the iTunes folder/file hierarchy with the name of the old primary hard drive.

I'll await further suggestions from you guys as you're more knowledgeable than I am on Macs and iTunes.

Thanks,
Brian ...

I think I've figured out a way that works for me. Again thanks for everyone's great responses to this question. I also believe there are multiple ways that can be used so many of you although you had different recommendations are probably correct with your responses. Here's what ultimately worked for me.

First I copy my iTunes environment from a primary hard drive to a backup hard drive every month or so depending on the amount of CD ripping I do. I use the drag & drop method to copy the files as backup programs all put their various naming conventions on the files which gets in the way of iTunes.

I discovered that using the File, Add to Library feature of iTunes I was able to direct iTunes to the backup drive and it recognized my songs & playlists on the backup drive without any problem. I did de-select the Copy files to iTunes Music folder option on the Advanced tab before I used the Add to Library feature as I believe it may have duplicated the songs. Afterwards I selected this option and changed the iTunes music library location to the new primary drive so that when I rip new CDs they'll go to the correct location.

Again, thanks for everyone's assistance as I couldn't have got it done without all of you.

Brian ...