If I understand correctly, from the Switchboard, you open the frmPassword.
The use can then enter the password and click a CommandButton on the
frmPassword to enter the frmProtected after your code confirms the correct
password.
In that case, try something like (after confirming the password) in the
CommandButton_Click Event
DoCmd.OpenForm "frmProtected"
DoEvents
Forms!frmProtected.SetFocus
DoCmd.Close acForm, Me.Name, acSaveNo
If the above doesn't work, try replacing the SetFocus statement with:
DoCmd.SelectObject acForm, "frmProtected", False