can i password protect the following....

[Dimension]

can i password protect the following....

A whole hdd
A notepad file
A word file

Or are there any other way of protecting them from unauthorised use?

Thanks in advance

Dimension

[BlackDiamondJr]

Folder Guard® (http://www.winability.com/folderguard/) is a powerful security program that lets you restrict access to various computer resources. If you share your computer with others, you can use Folder Guard to stop other users from opening your personal files, or you can completely hide your files until a password is entered. You can also protect sensitive system files from modification or destruction, disable access to the removable drives, restrict access to Control Panel and applications, and much more.

[Engram]

If you don't have Folder Guard...

The quick answer is:
HDD - yes
Notepad file - not as far as I know, or at least not easily
Word file - yes

The long answer:
HDD: one way to stop access to the HDD is to set up a BIOS password. Watch carefully when the computer is booting up and press whatever key it says to press to access setup (eg. Del), then set up the BIOS password. I'm sure there are others, but this way you can't finish booting unless you enter a password.

Word file: Click File... Save As... When the pop-up box appear, click on the Tools pull-down (top right) and choose General Options... Enter and confirm password, click OK, then save as usual. The file will now ask for a password every time someone attempts to open it.

[emailrob]

A basic way would be to set the folder to hidden, and then hide hidden folders.
This would be gotten around by most people apart from newbs, but may be enough.
If you don't want to set a whole BIOS password I think you could partitition a section of the drive and password that, but would need additional software.

[Dimension]

Thanks for the advice guys

If i passworded a word document would it be possible for anyone to enter it at all without knowing the password?

Thanks

Dimension