External Hard Drive can't be opened and alias cannot be deleted or fixed

I've just got a new iMac with Snow Leopard, but my external hard drive won't open.
1. I have the message *"The alias XXX can't be opened because the original item can't be found"* with the options to delete the alias, fix the alias or OK. I can't delete or fix the alias.
2. I can see the disk on the Disk Utility, and can verify and repair the disk (which I have done), but cannot verify or repair the Disk Permissions
3. I can see from get info that of the 1TB capacity, 511GB is used - therefore the files are still on it. I have tried to select new original but am unable to so do as this disk is greyed out in the finder. I have also selected ignore ownership on this volume.
Any suggestions so I can open the external hard drive, or fix the alias?
Thanks
Bill

Thanks Dave - I tried that but what happened was that the disk, which was in the left hand finder winder with the other devices turned into a cloud and disappeared when I dragged it out of the finder window.
Any other suggestions? I am keen to be reunited with the files on the external drive
Thanks
Bill

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