apache - password protect website with .htaccess and .htpasswd - error - "Could not open password file:" -

we have plesk site builder through our webhosting charter. using create simple development website.

i trying password protect site using .htaccess / .htpasswd.

i keep getting error no matter do:

[wed apr 06 09:02:57 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] (2)no such file or directory: not open password file: /.htpasswd [wed apr 06 09:02:57 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] access / failed, reason: verification of user id 'heather' not configured [wed apr 06 09:03:52 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] (2)no such file or directory: not open password file: /etc/httpd/.htpasswd [wed apr 06 09:03:52 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] access / failed, reason: verification of user id 'admin' not configured [wed apr 06 09:03:56 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] (2)no such file or directory: not open password file: /etc/httpd/.htpasswd [wed apr 06 09:03:56 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] access / failed, reason: verification of user id 'heather' not configured [wed apr 06 09:05:11 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] (2)no such file or directory: not open password file: /etc/httpd/http/.htpasswd [wed apr 06 09:05:11 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] access / failed, reason: verification of user id 'admin' not configured [wed apr 06 09:05:15 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] (2)no such file or directory: not open password file: /etc/httpd/http/.htpasswd [wed apr 06 09:05:15 2016] [error] [client 66.169.84.65] access / failed, reason: verification of user id 'heather' not configured 

i'm not familiar parallels plesk - , getting hold of support pulling teeth.

• i've checked , double checked path .htpasswd file; seems right.
• i've moved , .htaccess file see if don't have in right place

i'm not sure problem is. authentication box (i notice doesn't have "please login" message though...

here code .htaccess file:

# #           authentication # ### basic password protection authuserfile /etc/httpd/http/.htpasswd authname "please login" authtype basic  <limit post> require valid-user </limit> 

any appreciated or leads in right direction. in advance!!

are sure file .htpasswd there in /etc/httpd/http/ directory. otherwise create 1 below command

sudo htpasswd -c /etc/apache2/.htpasswd heather 

here go step step configuration: