I can't access removable storage...

I've just got a new HP i5 desk-top running W7 Professional (having taken advice not to go for W8) and have put the files I want to transfer from my old XP machine onto an external hard drive (EHD). However, when I plug in and try to open the EHD I'm told 'You don't currently have permission to access this folder', and to 'Click Continue to permanently get access this folder'. A couple of steps down the line I'm told to "use the security tab", but there's no 'security tab' in the dialogue box for external drives (the exact same thing happens when I try to open a stick/pen drive). I've looked on various forums for the solution (including this one) and everyone refers to going through the 'security tab' route in what seems a simple process, but all these folk are talking about being denied access to a file/drive which is already in their computer or network - not removable storage, and if I look at the properties of these, yes, they've all got a 'security tab' associated with them.

Thanks for any help anyone can give on this.

Yup, that's exactly it: no security tab. The tabs shown under 'properties' are: General; Tools; Hardware; Sharing; ReadyBoost; Customize. Despite its name, 'Sharing' offers no joy (that I can work out anyway).

Among other things I get the message that 'You have been denied permission to access this folder' as if denied by the administrator - but that's me! I know many business computers in offices have their usb ports locked to prevent users breaching security by using stick drives - is that what's happening here? Presumably if so I can override it as administrator, and get on with my work.....and life.

In an effort to fix it I downloaded the 'Take Ownership' context menu option (saw it on another thread) before coming on here but that doesn't work in this instance - yes, it goes through the motions of doing something, but it doesn't give me access to the drives!
I've not tried changing the permissions on the old XP machine - but I've never had this problem before and can quite happily use those same EHD and stick drives on my laptop running W7 Home Premium. I'll try that tomorrow...

Here's the screen shot (with just a stick drive "MOV" plugged in). Meanwhile I'm off to explore HP for a solution - there may be something in that 'HP tools' in the E: drive....

Got it! It was the HP Thought Police denying access to USB ports for removable storage devices. Searching through the HP Help and Support programme in 'All Programs' I came across this screen, and I changed the settings to allow full access - Bingo! Thanks for the hand-holding to get me there!