.htaccess problem

Hi, I dont know if this is really a PHP problem but am wondering if I can perhaps use php to solve this problem... I dont know if this is just a problem on my server or if you have noticed this too but... heres my present setup: /root/protected_files/ /root/protected_files/one/ /root/protected_files/two/ /root/protected_files/three/ /root/protected_files/four/ Each of the protected folders have their own .htaccess and their own password file, but if some successfully comes into folder "one" they are not being asked for their login details again if they go to two,three or four...Why is that and anyway I can force them? Thanks, -Ryan