How to password entire forum?

[Jennifer]

I'm banging my head on this and know it's probably very simple but I have to ask...

Where can I put in a password for the forums? We want the entire thing password protected so that no one can see anything until they log in.

Is this possible?
Thanks!

[copiertalk]

Usergroups would be a better solution but forums are in this format.

forum
-sub forum
-- sub sub forum
-- sub sub forum
- sub forum
blah blah

set the top level to have the password and all others to be child forums. they will inherit their parents password.

[Jennifer]

Thank you!

[Nick]

In order for this method to work you have to ensure the top-level forum has this setting:
Apply This Password to Child Forums - Yes

and that the sub-forums all have this setting:
Can Have Password - Yes

[Jennifer]

Thanks! This is what I've done and the password needs to be entered in order to read the forums but I'd like the front page to be something that does not show each forum and member. Is there a way to hide this and just have a page to say private, need password? Or something like that ;).

[copiertalk]

go into your usergroup permissions and change the settings to be able to see who is online, groups, and what not.

for a "splash page" I am not sure. I have private forum and I have vbadvanced set to log in only with a forum forum the admin can post in for only " Bs " mesasges.

[copiertalk]

I would rather see you do this under usergroup permission basis rather than a password.

[Jennifer]

I'm almost positive this is what I've done. If it's correct to have the usergroup 'registered users', that automatically was created in the beginning. I've set everything up for that and all unregistered users given no priivelages.

[copiertalk]

Exactly. from your description you want unregistered or guests to not be able to view any forums exept for a "front desk" or a help forum so questions can be answered about being a member. New registration group can be limited as much as you would like. When you wish to add members you can edit their group and move them to a custom group with priveledges you define.

There would be no password to share and you would have complete control over who had access to your content.

[Jennifer]

Thank you so much. I think I've got it figured out. Now the front page just shows to enter a password to go any further or to register.

Whew, at least I learned a lot while trying to figure it out!