running VB6 compiler..my program runs in background but need to detect when another active window scrolls on the mouse wheel.

tried getmessage/dispatchmessage as well as hooks (particularly  WM_MOUSEWHEEL, etc) but both only work when my program is the active window

cannot use setcapture/releasecapture as it causes weird effect on mouse actions on the active window

tried GetAsyncKeyState. it works in the background window but only on mouse key presses or clicks but not on wheel scrolls

any help greatly appreciated with sample code to help apply it. THX