cannot open .htpasswd says Apache 1

[netcomander]

I just want Apache to restrict access
by using a simple .htaccess file

but I can't log in

apache pops up the authentification window
and he finds the .htpasswd-file in the
given directory. But in the error_log-file
apache says, he can't find the user xy
(though this user exists) and that he is
not able to open .htpasswd mmmmmmh

I really would appreciate any kind of hint.

should apache be the owner of .htpasswd?

thanks in advance
greetings markus

 

[ifincham]

Hi,

Yes - the user running apache, e.g. 'apache' or 'nobody', has to be able to read the .htpasswd file as well as .htaccess .

Regards

 

[netcomander]

Hi ifincham,

now the user running apache is able to read
both files (.htpasswd, .htaccess).

But I still get the same error in my error_log

(13)Permission denied Could not open password file:
/path_to_pathword_file/.htpasswd

user xy not found: /testlab/

background:
/testlab is the directory which contains
the .htaccess file
user xy is the one, who tried to log in
and is listed in the .htpasswd file
user xy is a valid user

so where is the missing point?

thanks so far
greetings markus