Sounds like you are using NTLM authentication if you still get a dialog box with the current setup...I don't think any modules or maneuvering in perl will be able to help you if that is the case. If however, I am mistaken, and you are using basic authen., then the LWP module will get you where you need to be; it includes methods to GET the page using specified username and password. However, this will only work if you do some kind of mapping of accounts; ie. you use a single account to access the dir or you map a web login name to an account and the cgi handles the mapping and supplying of the id/password.

humbly,
novitiate
"...goodnight you princes of main(e)"  --The Cider House Rules