tried your suggestion Perdo but no joy
these are some of the options I have tried (and the results)
.netrc file
machine machinename
login bogus
".netrc" 2 lines, 30 characters
$ ftp machinename
Connected to machinename.
220 AXIS 540/542 FTP Printer Server V5.31 Feb 21 1997 ready.
331 User name ok, need password
Password: (at this point the enter key is hit)
230 User logged in
I need the password part above to be automatic
.netrc file
machine machinename
login bogus (anything entered here allows access)
password bogus (anything entered here allows access) but not automatically
".netrc" 3 lines, 48 characters
$ ftp machinename.
Connected to machinename..
220 AXIS 540/542 FTP Printer Server V5.31 Feb 21 1997 ready.
Error - .netrc file not correct mode.
Remove password or correct mode.
221 Goodbye.
ftp>