The way you are reloading is not the right way to reload the configurations..
As you are on Windows and have used the installer so a right way to reload
your configuration after you have made the change to pg_hba.conf file will
be to:

Go to Start --> Programs --> PostgreSQL --> Reload Configuration

Now for connecting to a database from the SQL prompt use

\c dbname

I hope this helps but do try the latest installer as mentioned in the last
email for 8.1.4 as this has a few things fixed which can help you.

/Shoaib

On 5/24/06, Tahir Tamba <tamba.tahir@courrier.uqam.ca> wrote:
>
> Dear Mir,
>
> Thank you for answer, I have edited the pg_hba file by changing the method
> .md5" to "trust". So I've tried the reload command in psql prompt :
> "postgres=#\pg_ctl reload" to update the file, I get the following message:
> "Query buffer is empty" and commands arguments are ignored.
>
> Thank again for your help
>
> Tahir Tamba
>
>
>
>
> *De*: Shoaib Mir <shoaibmir@gmail.com>
>
> *Date*: Mardi, Mai 23, 2006 1:33 pm
>
> *Objet*: Re: [ADMIN] Authentication troubleshooting using psql
>
> > Try using
> >
> > \c dbname
> >
> > and if you want to get rid of the asking password thing you can
> > change your
> > authentication method from 'md5' to 'trust' in your pg_hba.conf
> > file and
> > then reload the settings using "pg_ctl reload"
> >
> > /Shoaib
>
> >
> > On 5/23/06, Tahir Tamba <tamba.tahir@courrier.uqam.ca> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Guys,
> > >
> > > I install Postgres 8.1.3 on WinXP Pro OS using msi.exe. Using
> > Postgres> with PGAdmin III, everything works well. But when I'm
> > trying to use the psql
> > > terminal interface to connect into my database psql ask me to
> > enter my
> > > password and when trying to enter my password, nothing happens
> > from my
> > > keyboard.
> > > Exemple : postgres=# \connectdb postgres
> > > Password for postgres user: unable to type my password cursor
> > doesn't work
> > > And when I press Enter tab I get the following error:
> > > "FATAL: password authentication failed for user Postgres
> > >
> > > who can help me to solve this
> > > Thank
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Tahir Tamba
>
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------
> > -------
> > > TIP 2: Don't 'kill -9' the postmaster
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>