XP HDD my docs permissions hell

Hi
I have a xp HDD from my old laptop (which is dead) and have new vista
laptop.

got IDE to USB cable, and worked ok, but cant get proper full accesss
to anything in the users folder, ie my music, my docs etc.

I especially need the music and pics.

Ive tried taking ownership but the changhes dont seem to popergate,
changing permissions wont propergate without propergated ownerships
all the files seem to be read only (the files not the folders, the
readonly tick box has a square in it not a tick)
If I try to change the read only status or copythe files, even as
administrator with full ownership and controll I still get access denied
error for the files

I seem to have been able to change the permissions on one artist folder
by muddling through a maze of properties windows but cant do this for
every bottom level folder, ther would be hundreds!!

also tried the windows easy transfer, but it wont let me tell it that
the files I want to retrive are actually already on the attached
drive..


aargghh. any help VERY much appreciated