Reading WinNT-PC-Files from Linux

[abarta at klinikumevb.de]

Hello

My Problem is: I have a large directory on a Windows NT PC (WinNT 4.0 SP5)
and, for backup, I want to read the files of this Directory  on my
Linux-Server (Linux 7.0).
I installed samba and I can mount the device using mount -t smbfs. I can
read all files from this disk except the directory I need.
This directory has entries for more than 8.000 subdirectories, within those
are 34.000 Files. (about 10 GB)
The command ls tells me that the Directory is empty, tar gives me a
read-error. But, with command cd,  I can change to a subdirectory and then
I can access all files within this subdirectory. 
My questions: 
Are there max-values for the number of entries in a Directory and is it
possible to change them? Are there hard limits?
What else can I do to get access to that directory, at least for backing up
that disk / directory on the Linux-Server?

Thank you for help.

A. Barta

Klinikum E. v. Bergmann / Tumorzentrum Potsdam
Charlottenstr. 72
D-14467 Potsdam

e-mail: abarta at klinikumevb.de