diff --git a/src/emu/mame.c b/src/emu/mame.c
index e7f56ce3e43..40f428e05ba 100644
--- a/src/emu/mame.c
+++ b/src/emu/mame.c
@@ -121,6 +121,17 @@ static output_delegate output_cb[OUTPUT_CHANNEL_COUNT] =
     CORE IMPLEMENTATION
 ***************************************************************************/
 
+/*-------------------------------------------------
+    mame_is_valid_machine - return true if the
+    given machine is valid
+-------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int mame_is_valid_machine(running_machine &machine)
+{
+	return (&machine == global_machine);
+}
+
+
 /*-------------------------------------------------
     mame_execute - run the core emulation
 -------------------------------------------------*/
@@ -164,6 +175,7 @@ int mame_execute(emu_options &options, osd_interface &osd)
 			valid.check_shared_source(*system);
 		}
 
+		ui_show_mouse(false);
 
 		// create the machine configuration
 		machine_config config(*system, options);
diff --git a/src/emu/rendlay.c b/src/emu/rendlay.c
index b283caab27f..8a95959f8ac 100644
--- a/src/emu/rendlay.c
+++ b/src/emu/rendlay.c
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@
 #include "rendutil.h"
 #include "xmlfile.h"
 #include "png.h"
+#include "ui.h"
 
 
 
@@ -2155,6 +2156,8 @@ layout_view::item::item(running_machine &machine, xml_data_node &itemnode, simpl
 	// allocate a copy of the input tag
 	m_input_tag = xml_get_attribute_string_with_subst(machine, itemnode, "inputtag", "");
 
+	if (m_input_tag.len()>0) ui_show_mouse(true);
+
 	// find the associated element
 	const char *name = xml_get_attribute_string_with_subst(machine, itemnode, "element", NULL);
 	if (name != NULL)
diff --git a/src/emu/ui.c b/src/emu/ui.c
index 55a284b54e7..b5981f3e4ef 100644
--- a/src/emu/ui.c
+++ b/src/emu/ui.c
@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ static int ui_use_natural_keyboard;
 static UINT8 non_char_keys_down[(ARRAY_LENGTH(non_char_keys) + 7) / 8];
 
 
+static render_texture *ui_mouse_arrow_texture;
+static bool ui_mouse_show;
 /***************************************************************************
     FUNCTION PROTOTYPES
 ***************************************************************************/
@@ -231,6 +233,40 @@ INLINE int is_breakable_char(unicode_char ch)
 /*-------------------------------------------------
     ui_init - set up the user interface
 -------------------------------------------------*/
+static UINT32 mouse_bitmap[] = {
+	0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x09a46f30,0x81ac7c43,0x24af8049,0x00ad7d45,0x00a8753a,0x00a46f30,0x009f6725,0x009b611c,0x00985b14,0x0095560d,0x00935308,0x00915004,0x00904e02,0x008f4e01,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x00a16a29,0xa2aa783d,0xffbb864a,0xc0b0824c,0x5aaf7f48,0x09ac7b42,0x00a9773c,0x00a67134,0x00a26b2b,0x009e6522,0x009a5e19,0x00965911,0x0094550b,0x00925207,0x00915004,0x008f4e01,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x009a5e18,0x39a06827,0xffb97c34,0xffe8993c,0xffc88940,0xedac7c43,0x93ad7c44,0x2dac7c43,0x00ab793f,0x00a87438,0x00a46f30,0x00a06827,0x009c611d,0x00985c15,0x0095570e,0x00935309,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x00935308,0x00965810,0xcc9a5e19,0xffe78a21,0xfffb9929,0xfff49931,0xffd88e39,0xffb9813f,0xc9ac7c43,0x66ad7c44,0x0cac7a41,0x00a9773c,0x00a67134,0x00a26b2b,0x009e6522,0x009a5e19,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4e01,0x00904e02,0x60925106,0xffba670a,0xfff88b11,0xfff98f19,0xfff99422,0xfff9982b,0xffe89434,0xffc9883c,0xf3ac7a41,0x9cad7c44,0x39ac7c43,0x00ab7a40,0x00a87539,0x00a56f31,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x098e4d00,0xea8f4d00,0xffee7f03,0xfff68407,0xfff6870d,0xfff78b15,0xfff78f1d,0xfff79426,0xfff49730,0xffd98d38,0xffbc823f,0xd2ac7c43,0x6fad7c44,0x12ac7b42,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x8a8e4c00,0xffc46800,0xfff37e00,0xfff37f02,0xfff38106,0xfff3830a,0xfff48711,0xfff48b19,0xfff58f21,0xfff5942b,0xffe79134,0xffcb863b,0xf9ac7a41,0xa5ac7c43,0x3fac7c43,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x218d4c00,0xfc8e4c00,0xffee7a00,0xfff07c00,0xfff17c00,0xfff17d02,0xfff17e04,0xfff18008,0xfff2830d,0xfff28614,0xfff38a1c,0xfff38f25,0xfff2932e,0xffd98b37,0xffbc813e,0xdbac7c43,0x78ad7c44,0x15ac7b42,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0xb18d4c00,0xffcf6b00,0xffed7900,0xffed7900,0xffee7900,0xffee7a01,0xffee7a01,0xffee7b03,0xffee7c06,0xffef7e0a,0xffef8110,0xfff08618,0xfff08a20,0xfff18f2a,0xffe78f33,0xffcc863b,0xfcab7a40,0xaeac7c43,0x4bac7c43,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x488d4c00,0xffa85800,0xffe97500,0xffea7600,0xffea7600,0xffeb7600,0xffeb7600,0xffeb7600,0xffeb7701,0xffeb7702,0xffeb7804,0xffec7a07,0xffec7d0d,0xffec8013,0xffed851c,0xffee8a25,0xffee8f2e,0xffd98937,0xffbe813d,0xe4ab7a40,0x81ab7a40,0x1ba9763b,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x008d4c00,0xdb8d4c00,0xffd86c00,0xffe77300,0xffe77300,0xffe87300,0xffe87300,0xffe87300,0xffe87300,0xffe87300,0xffe87401,0xffe87401,0xffe87503,0xffe97606,0xffe9780a,0xffe97c10,0xffea7f16,0xffeb831d,0xffeb8623,0xffe48426,0xffc67725,0xffa5661f,0xb7985c15,0x54935309,0x038e4d00,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x6f8d4c00,0xffb25b00,0xffe36f00,0xffe47000,0xffe47000,0xffe57000,0xffe57000,0xffe57000,0xffe57000,0xffe57000,0xffe57000,0xffe57000,0xffe57000,0xffe57101,0xffe57000,0xffe47000,0xffe16e00,0xffde6c00,0xffd86900,0xffd06600,0xffc76200,0xffaa5500,0xff8a4800,0xea743f00,0x5a7a4200,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x0f8d4c00,0xf38d4c00,0xffdc6a00,0xffe16d00,0xffe16d00,0xffe26d00,0xffe26d00,0xffe26d00,0xffe26d00,0xffe26d00,0xffe16d00,0xffe06c00,0xffde6b00,0xffd96900,0xffd16500,0xffc76000,0xffb95900,0xffab5200,0xff9c4b00,0xff894300,0xff6b3600,0xf9512c00,0xa5542d00,0x3c5e3200,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x008d4c00,0x968d4c00,0xffbc5d00,0xffde6a00,0xffde6a00,0xffde6a00,0xffdf6a00,0xffdf6a00,0xffdf6a00,0xffde6a00,0xffdc6800,0xffd66600,0xffcc6100,0xffbf5b00,0xffaf5300,0xff9d4a00,0xff8a4200,0xff6d3500,0xff502900,0xe7402300,0x7b3f2200,0x15442500,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x2a8d4c00,0xff9b5000,0xffda6600,0xffdb6700,0xffdb6700,0xffdc6700,0xffdc6700,0xffdb6700,0xffd96500,0xffd16200,0xffc25b00,0xffad5100,0xff974700,0xff7f3c00,0xff602f00,0xff472500,0xbd3d2100,0x513d2100,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x008e4c00,0xc08d4c00,0xffc35c00,0xffd76300,0xffd76300,0xffd86300,0xffd86300,0xffd76300,0xffd06000,0xffc05800,0xffa54c00,0xff7f3b00,0xff582c00,0xf03f2200,0x903c2000,0x2a3e2100,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x548d4c00,0xffa55200,0xffd35f00,0xffd46000,0xffd46000,0xffd46000,0xffd25e00,0xffc65900,0xffac4e00,0xff833c00,0xe7472600,0x693c2000,0x0c3d2100,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x038d4c00,0xe48d4c00,0xffc95a00,0xffd15d00,0xffd15d00,0xffd15d00,0xffcb5a00,0xffb95200,0xff984300,0xff5f2e00,0x723f2200,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x7b8d4c00,0xffad5200,0xffce5a00,0xffce5a00,0xffcd5900,0xffc35500,0xffaa4a00,0xff853a00,0xf9472600,0x15432400,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x188d4c00,0xf98e4c00,0xffc95600,0xffcb5700,0xffc75500,0xffb94f00,0xff9b4200,0xff6c3100,0xab442500,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0xa58d4c00,0xffb35000,0xffc75300,0xffc05000,0xffac4800,0xff8b3a00,0xff542a00,0x45462500,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x398d4c00,0xff994d00,0xffc24f00,0xffb74b00,0xff9e4000,0xff763200,0xde472600,0x03492800,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x008e4c00,0xcf8d4c00,0xffb24b00,0xffab4500,0xff8d3900,0xff5e2b00,0x7e452500,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x638d4c00,0xff984800,0xffa03f00,0xff7e3200,0xfc492800,0x1b472600,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x098b4b00,0xed824600,0xff903800,0xff692c00,0xb4462600,0x004c2900,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008e4c00,0x008a4a00,0x8a7e4400,0xff793500,0xff572900,0x51472600,0x00542d00,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008d4c00,0x00884900,0x247a4200,0xfc633500,0xe74f2a00,0x034d2900,0x005e3300,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008e4d00,0x008d4c00,0x00884900,0x00794100,0xb4643600,0x87552e00,0x00593000,0x006b3900,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008f4d00,0x008d4c00,0x00884900,0x007c4300,0x486d3b00,0x24643600,0x00693800,0x00774000,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,
+	0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff,0x00ffffff
+};
 
 int ui_init(running_machine &machine)
 {
@@ -246,7 +282,11 @@ int ui_init(running_machine &machine)
 	ui_set_handler(handler_messagebox, 0);
 	/* retrieve options */
 	ui_use_natural_keyboard = machine.options().natural_keyboard();
-
+	bitmap_argb32 *ui_mouse_bitmap = auto_alloc(machine, bitmap_argb32(32, 32));
+	UINT32 *dst = &ui_mouse_bitmap->pix32(0);
+	memcpy(dst,mouse_bitmap,32*32*sizeof(UINT32));
+	ui_mouse_arrow_texture = machine.render().texture_alloc();
+	ui_mouse_arrow_texture->set_bitmap(*ui_mouse_bitmap, ui_mouse_bitmap->cliprect(), TEXFORMAT_ARGB32);
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -257,6 +297,7 @@ int ui_init(running_machine &machine)
 
 static void ui_exit(running_machine &machine)
 {
+	machine.render().texture_free(ui_mouse_arrow_texture);
 	/* free the font */
 	machine.render().font_free(ui_font);
 	ui_font = NULL;
@@ -396,6 +437,21 @@ void ui_update_and_render(running_machine &machine, render_container *container)
 	else
 		popup_text_end = 0;
 
+	if (ui_mouse_show || ui_is_menu_active()) 
+	{
+		INT32 mouse_target_x, mouse_target_y;
+		int mouse_button;
+		render_target *mouse_target = ui_input_find_mouse(machine, &mouse_target_x, &mouse_target_y, &mouse_button);
+
+		if (mouse_target != NULL)
+		{
+			float mouse_y=-1,mouse_x=-1;
+			if (mouse_target->map_point_container(mouse_target_x, mouse_target_y, *container, mouse_x, mouse_y)) {
+				container->add_quad(mouse_x,mouse_y,mouse_x + 0.05*container->manager().ui_aspect(),mouse_y + 0.05,UI_TEXT_COLOR,ui_mouse_arrow_texture,PRIMFLAG_BLENDMODE(BLENDMODE_ALPHA));
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	/* cancel takes us back to the ingame handler */
 	if (ui_handler_param == UI_HANDLER_CANCEL)
 		ui_set_handler(handler_ingame, 0);
@@ -857,6 +913,15 @@ void ui_show_menu(void)
 }
 
 
+/*-------------------------------------------------
+    ui_show_mouse - change mouse status 
+-------------------------------------------------*/
+
+void ui_show_mouse(bool status)
+{
+	ui_mouse_show = status;
+}
+
 /*-------------------------------------------------
     ui_is_menu_active - return TRUE if the menu
     UI handler is active
diff --git a/src/emu/ui.h b/src/emu/ui.h
index 6eb096032ec..ecbfc2b8e1a 100644
--- a/src/emu/ui.h
+++ b/src/emu/ui.h
@@ -169,6 +169,9 @@ int ui_get_show_profiler(void);
 /* force the menus to display */
 void ui_show_menu(void);
 
+/* force the mouse visibility status */
+void ui_show_mouse(bool status);
+
 /* return true if a menu is displayed */
 int ui_is_menu_active(void);
 
diff --git a/src/osd/windows/window.c b/src/osd/windows/window.c
index 6c1a4bb26c6..baa4d1aeb45 100644
--- a/src/osd/windows/window.c
+++ b/src/osd/windows/window.c
@@ -607,8 +607,8 @@ void winwindow_update_cursor_state(running_machine &machine)
 	//   2. we also hide the cursor in full screen mode and when the window doesn't have a menu
 	//   3. we also hide the cursor in windowed mode if we're not paused and
 	//      the input system requests it
-	if (downcast<windows_options &>(machine.options()).hide_cursor() &&
-		winwindow_has_focus() && ((!video_config.windowed && !win_has_menu(win_window_list)) || (!machine.paused() && wininput_should_hide_mouse())))
+	//if (winwindow_has_focus() && ((!video_config.windowed && !win_has_menu(win_window_list)) || (!machine.paused() && wininput_should_hide_mouse())))
+	if (winwindow_has_focus())
 	{
 		win_window_info *window = win_window_list;
 		RECT bounds;
diff --git a/src/osd/windows/winmain.c b/src/osd/windows/winmain.c
index be65099a34f..2b424c2b25d 100644
--- a/src/osd/windows/winmain.c
+++ b/src/osd/windows/winmain.c
@@ -429,7 +429,6 @@ const options_entry windows_options::s_option_entries[] =
 
 	// input options
 	{ NULL,                                           NULL,       OPTION_HEADER,     "INPUT DEVICE OPTIONS" },
-	{ WINOPTION_HIDE_CURSOR ";hc",                    "1",        OPTION_BOOLEAN,    "hide cursor in full screen or if mouse is enabled" },
 	{ WINOPTION_DUAL_LIGHTGUN ";dual",                "0",        OPTION_BOOLEAN,    "enable dual lightgun input" },
 
 	{ NULL }
diff --git a/src/osd/windows/winmain.h b/src/osd/windows/winmain.h
index 6c7684a0529..98d6d038415 100644
--- a/src/osd/windows/winmain.h
+++ b/src/osd/windows/winmain.h
@@ -148,7 +148,6 @@
 #define WINOPTION_AUDIO_LATENCY			"audio_latency"
 
 // input options
-#define WINOPTION_HIDE_CURSOR			"hide_cursor"
 #define WINOPTION_DUAL_LIGHTGUN			"dual_lightgun"
 
 
@@ -268,7 +267,6 @@ public:
 	int audio_latency() const { return int_value(WINOPTION_AUDIO_LATENCY); }
 
 	// input options
-	bool hide_cursor() const { return bool_value(WINOPTION_HIDE_CURSOR); }
 	bool dual_lightgun() const { return bool_value(WINOPTION_DUAL_LIGHTGUN); }
 
 private: