FTP links in internet explorer

[Catherine Lynn Smith]

I am trying to write a web page that includes a link to an ftp server
like <a href="ftp://my.ftpserver.com/">File Transfer</a> but whenever
I use this link, it fails in Internet Explorer when you click on it.
If you then hit refresh on the 404 error page, it loads up just fine.
Similarly, the same url works when you enter it manually into the
Address bar.

As a side note, the server does require a username and password, but
as stated, when entered manually or refreshed, IE discovers this just
fine and pops up a window asking for the appropriate authentication
information.

I have also noticed this behavior on websites out on the net as well
when doing some testing (but not all it seems) and have verified that
the links to work in other browsers such as Netscape and Opera
(albeit, netscape fails due to the need for authentication)

What do I need to do to get a link to an FTP server to work in IE6
from a webpage without the need to refresh after receiving a 404
error? Any help is appreciated.

Kathy

[Christoph Löffler]

Catherine Lynn Smith wrote:

As a side note, the server does require a username and password, but
as stated, when entered manually or refreshed, IE discovers this just
fine and pops up a window asking for the appropriate authentication
information.

You could write the username/password into the ftp link like
ftp://user:pa**@my.ftpserver.com/ but consider, that this could be a
security risk.

Chris