Vista and accessing Windows XP external drive's files

I had to purchase a new computer with Vista and added the old drive from my
Windows XP as an external. I have been ultimately able to access the external
by going through the security/owner/permissions but in order to access the
folders/files I still have to enter the same owner/permission process for
each one. When I go to the folders/files I have to change ownership and then
must click on each pop-up window denying me access to each file within the
folder, then go into the folder and go through the ownership/access for each
file within it. My name isn't shown as a User so I then must go through Add
and then add my name each time.

There has to be a simpler way! This drive is HUGE and I am hoping there is
something I can change as a "mass" change so that I can change the
folders/files as I did to access the actual external drive.

Is there any way to change it at the external drive level, or at the very
least the My Documents level so that I don't have to do this for anything I
want to access?

Thanks,
PJ