CVS log of archived projects & workareas (on read only media)

[a1_nocrap_exh]

We've recently started backing up our old projects onto a new archive
server which is read only to prevent any accidental changes.

However since the move I've noticed that CVS commands no longer work
for workareas/repositories on that server

For example:

cvs log <work_area/directory1/filename>

cvs log: failed to create lock directory for `/projectb/root/
directory1' (/projectb/root/directory1/#cvs.lock): Permission denied
cvs log: failed to obtain dir lock in repository `/projectb/root/
directory1'
cvs [log aborted]: read lock failed - giving up

Is there anything I can do? (except move the repository to a writeable
location)

All I want to do is (easily) read the logs for that file.

Any help appreciated.