htaccess problem

I am trying to set up a password protected directory "locally" and then upload it to the remote server. I cannot seem to get the bugs worked out of the process locally. I have altered the httpd.config so as to allow the use of an htaccess file (AllowOveride AuthConfig). I have the .htaccess and .htpasswd files in the folder to be protected. I am getting the following error messages:

[Thu Sep 20 18:27:28 2007] [alert] [client 127.0.0.1] /Library/WebServer/Documents/NWTSTFldr/.htaccess: AuthType takes one argument, An HTTP authorization type (e.g., "Basic")
[Thu Sep 20 18:27:28 2007] [alert] [client 127.0.0.1]/Library/WebServer/Documents/potatoes/.htaccess: AuthName takes one argument, The authentication realm (e.g. "Members Only")

It appears that whatever I list as the first item in the htaccess file whether it be AuthType or AuthName I get an error message on that item in the log.
What is this all about? I have not yet gotten the password process to work (where the browser pops up an alert that asks for your name and password).
can anyone help me with this?
I did do a search of the forum and found the July "htaccess" episode. I tried the information I found in that "dialogue" but that situation seems to be much different from the one I am dealing with. My public www server has given me a set of instructions for working with their Apache server BUT i will not have access to their httpd.config file so I cannot go that route.

best regards,
vilppu