problems with user authentication in apache web server

[Nomi]

Hi all!
I'm trying to keep a directory with all of his files and subdirectories just viewable to certain persons.
I searched on the SUSE Knowledge Portal and followed the instructions. But it doesnt work.
I'm using Suse 7.0. Prof. with Apache 1.3.19.[PHP4 mod_perl LDAB contrib].
and i added following to the httpd.conf file
<Directory /usr/local/httpd/testme>
AuthName "Vip-Zone"
AuthType Basic
AuthUserFile /usr/local/etc/httpd/userpass
Options +FollowSymLinks +Multiviews
require valid-user
AllowOverride None
</Directory>

When I try to get to this directory I get following error msg. "The document contained no data".
Can anybody help me or give me a hint to solve this problem.
tnx in advance

[Nomi]

I tried now to secure this directory with an .htaccess file with the following

AuthUserFile /usr/local/ect/httpd/userpass
Options +FollowSymLinks +MultiViews
require user nomi blabla
Satisfy All


but nothing happens :confused:
anybody can help??