i want to get the players name and then put it in the highscores, ive done the reading, writing and sorting of the highscores file. The bit im having problems with is when i try to input a name it doesnt work,im using c++ and directx and gdi to draw the text. please help.

We need more info on how you are trying to input a name.

char playersName[20];

HDC xdc; // the working dc
// get the dc from secondary back buffer
lpddsback->GetDC(&xdc);
// set the colors for the text up
SetTextColor(xdc, RGB(0,0,255));
// set background mode to transparent so black isn''t copied
SetBkMode(xdc, TRANSPARENT);
int length = sprintf(buffer,"Enter Name: ");
TextOut(xdc,150,200,buffer,length);
// release the dc
lpddsback->ReleaseDC(xdc);

// get the dc from secondary back buffer
lddsback->GetDC(&xdc);
// set the colors for the text up
SetTextColor(xdc, RGB(0,0,255));
// set background mode to transparent so black isn''t copied
SetBkMode(xdc, TRANSPARENT);
length = scanf(" %s ", playersName);
TextOut(xdc,300,200,playersName,length);
// release the dc
lpddsback->ReleaseDC(xdc);

The function scanf() is for console input (like DOS).
What you need to do is set up a processing routine for the WM_CHAR windows message, use a state machine.

thanks, later.