Code:
var inkeyStore = inkey(tempStr);
while(inkey_active) { // do stuff in here...
   wait(1); 
}


That'll work...
to make *'s out of your field, there's a easy workaround for that I did ages ago.
Read the str_len of the inkey string you pass, and display a 2nd string, created out of *'s, based on the length of the input string...
I'f im unclear with that idea, lemme know, i'll paste my code I made for you laugh

regards,

Formerly known as dennis_fantasy
Portfolio - http://www.designorhea.com/
Project - http://randomchance.cherrygames.org/