Data Backup Ultimate Hassle

So I have a hard drive with XP on it that I think is bad. I bought an
enclosure and I am now attempting to back up my data before I do anymore
testing on it. I just want to back up the "documents and settings" folder.
When I try to do so, I never get a complete backup, as I don't have
permission to edit, copy or look at some of the directories. When I tried to
set the permissions, I discovered that I have to set myself as the owner to
get permission to set permissions. So I made myself owner of the drive, and I
gave myself permission to set permissions, and I then set the appropriate
permissions. However, there are still quite a few folders that I do not have
permission to copy/backup. I'd like to save some of the deeper directories
such as Application Data, etc, because sometimes important profiles and
emails are stored in them. I've set myself as owner, permissioner and
permissionee to several of the directories on the drives, but I still get
blocked out of their subdirectories until I set myself as owner permissioner
and permissionee of them as well. My question is: Will I have to go through
and set myself as owner, permissioner and permissionee of each individual
directory, subdirectory, sub-subdirectory, etc. until I have access for
everything? Or is there a faster way to make myself owner of every directory
with permission to access (and back up) them all?