a tip for future reference: I often take portions of my error messages and put them through google. almost without exception, somebody else has posted the same errors somewhere and more often than not somebody else has posted a reply that either solves the problem or puts me on the trail. In this instance, I found a post somewhere that said that if you got "no further authentication methods to try" (I may not have exact wording here) your password authentication was probably disabled. I'd already kind of suspected this because I couldn't really think of any other reason why you wouldn't be asked for a password. So sure enough, I went looking under /etc/ssh and there was a ssh_config and an sshd_config; I looked in both and found the password entry. I hadn't saved your post with the sshd_config but I knew to go to the blinux archives and look for it. There are lots of tools for solving problems and certainly this list is one of them, but never forget that google, your man pages and info pages, and perusal of your conifiguration files are also invaluable helps. That said, there also isn't one of us that doesn't overlook an answer staring us right in the face sometimes--sort of like not being able to proofread one's own work.
It's also really helpful, when requesting help on a list, to send all the data requested rather than just what you think is applicable. Sending your sshd_config was a great move, but had you sent the full content of your message, maybe even using -v, with the "no authentication methods to try" message, somebody might have figured this out sooner. I saw other instances where people asked for information and you chose only what you decided was relevant--and sometimes, when any of us has a problem, we aren't always good at seeing what is relevant.
Also be aware that there are other ways besides passwords to set up your ssh system; I don't know what the current thinking is on the advantages and disadvantages of each, but if you are going to use it a lot you may want to look into the various methods and see if one other than password authentication is preferable.
Not trying to lecture; just good reminders for you, me and anybody else who comes to the list asking for help with a problem.
I'm REALlY glad you got it solved; I know how horrible a persistent unsolvable problem can be.
-- Cheryl
"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
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