Not a valid File-Handle resource

[Anon]

In a via .htaccess password protected directory (Apache) I get error 'Supplied argument is not a valid File-Handle resource' in this line.

$fd= fread(fopen($HTTP_REFERER, "r"), 100000);

What should I do to get this work in the password protected directory?
Works fine in any other directory
Am newbie, help most wanted.
Thanks for your attention.

[cheald]

Obviously, the referer is not a valid file. Have you tried echoing the referer?

Also, you may just be getting a permission denied error. Validate your credentials, and try again.

[Anon]

Thanks Chris, the referer is a valid file and is echood alright, so I am afraid that is not the problem. Neither is the permission at that level since I am in the password protected directory. From there the php script is called which itself is in the same directory.
And yes, it might have to do with permission, maybe the "r" is not valid in a password protected area? But then I would not know how to set it straight.

[Anon]

issue solved with a fopen on the filesystem instead of the URL.