Thanks for the reply Jotin
I have tried FTPing to the box ..I can log in but the root folder is array1 ... with no files or options to go to other folders ...
Corrupt folders? This is worrying ... I have a few of these in Hopitals with medical data on them ... They "should" be backed up by the local IT ...
Strangely something similar happened to a colleague last year ... but he was lucky .. he said all he did was change the system time (go figure! - which is why I did it above ) and it burst into life ...same symptoms-refusing authentication
The backup route - are you suggesting plugging a usb drive or literally just to another share on the same box ? then copying the data by kicking off a "backup" from the web control panel?
I will give it a go ... thanks for the suggestion
Feeling a little sick right now at the thought of having to **bleep** these boxes..
Cheers
J