i will try to seperate the code better for the next time i run into trouble 
you make perfect sense i didnt know that locking the surface is such a big overhead the code seems to be locking the surface many times per loop. wish i had the source code to this book so i could be sure that the book version runs just as slowly lol
im going to try and fix the CLayer stuff and ill let you know how i get on
if i lock a surface can i copy to it 4 times before i unlock it would that help speed it up when its moving in BOTH directions?
again many thanks for the help guys i appreciate it
PS if anyone has the source CD for this book please let me know