as i understand LockResource returns a pointer to the first byte of the data stored in the resource.. currently i use fstream to read, validate and store some wave file data so that it can be used to play back the wave file since the open function of fstream takes a char* for the name of the file to open, i wondered if a char* for the resource would work in the same way i think my confusion is as you say with fstream but since the class i want to use the data from the resource with is based on fstream, i wondered if there was a solution that doesnt involve re-writing the class..

sorry i was unclear here, i need to control the window in that i want to be able to update its variables, but i dont need to physically control or move the window..

thanks very much, fairly new to MFC so sorry if that was a bit obvious!