how can I retrieve mouse coordinates without using directinput ?

Quoted from the MSDN :

quote:

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The WM_MOUSEMOVE message is posted to a window when the cursor moves. If the mouse is not captured, the message is posted to the window that contains the cursor. Otherwise, the message is posted to the window that has captured the mouse.

WM_MOUSEMOVE

fwKeys = wParam; // key flags
xPos = LOWORD(lParam); // horizontal position of cursor
yPos = HIWORD(lParam); // vertical position of cursor

Parameters
fwKeys :

Value of wParam. Indicates whether various virtual keys are down. This parameter can be any combination of the following values: Value Description
MK_CONTROL Set if the ctrl key is down.
MK_LBUTTON Set if the left mouse button is down.
MK_MBUTTON Set if the middle mouse button is down.
MK_RBUTTON Set if the right mouse button is down.
MK_SHIFT Set if the shift key is down.


xPos : Value of the low-order word of lParam. Specifies the x-coordinate of the cursor. The coordinate is relative to the upper-left corner of the client area.

yPos : Value of the high-order word of lParam. Specifies the y-coordinate of the cursor. The coordinate is relative to the upper-left corner of the client area.

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If you want to do a cross platform app, SDL may be the way to go.

yep it works! thank you