Error Deleting Directory

[John Smith]

I am trying to update my site (a vBulletin board) by uploading files using CuteFTP to overwrite the existing files. I can overwrite an individual file but when I try to update a whole directory by dragging a complete directory from the local to the remote I get this error. Any ideas on what I might be doing wrong?
Request denied.
Please verify that the file or folder exists and that you have the necessary permissions on the server to perform the requested operation.

STATUS:> Transferring directory "/big/dom/xmysite/www/forums"...
COMMAND:> TYPE I
200 Transfer mode changed to BINARY.
COMMAND:> SIZE forums
213 4096
COMMAND:> MDTM forums
213 20080603005644
STATUS:> Applying Folder Overwrite rule: applying Smart Overwrite rules for all files.
COMMAND:> DELE forums
550 Could not remove file: Is a directory
ERROR:> Requested action not taken (e.g., file or directory not found, no access).

[Tom E.]

Hi John,

I haven't used CuteFTP, but my guess is that the ability to delete non-empty directories is either not allowed, or is an option setting.

If you can't figure it out with CuteFTP, an easy way is to go to ftp://yourdomain.com in your browser and login. If the browser supports FTP writing, you should be able to click on the forums directory and hit the delete key.

I just tested this in IE6 and it works.

-- Tom

P.S. My brother-in-law is from NZ and my cousin-in-law is from Australia. It's great fun to hear them rib each other at family parties.