I am trying to set up apache to prompt for a username and password when a visitor tries to access the site. Here is what I have

<Directory>
AuthType Basic
AuthName "Site Intranet"
AuthUserFile /etc/httpd/conf/.htpasswd
Require valid-user
</Directory>

then I change to the /etc/httpd/conf directory and type:
htpasswd -m .htpasswd "username"

It asks for the password, then asks to type it again.

I also went VI .htpasswd and sure enough the user logons and passwords I created where there (the passwords encrypted of course). However when I access the site and put in my username and password, it won't take it.

I just keep getting a window and retype my password and username again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again ...... you get the idea.

after about three attempts I get the 401 error. I have also stopped and restarted apache after I made the changes to httpd.conf. Can anyone help me, I am getting really pissed off

Do you have mod_auth loaded in your httpd.conf file?

LoadModule auth_module libexec/mod_auth.so

Otherwise you won't be able to authenticate using Basic authentication.

Also, don't forget to update your AddModule list as well:

AddModule mod_auth.c

What about the permissions ?
What does your error log say ?

It says I have mod_auth.so loaded. I don't see that exact line.

How do I update the addmodule list?