This is what i used, i got it in an include on my index page, hope it works for you too.
<?
//PM HACK
if ($bbusername) {
$username = $bbusername;
$pmcounta = $DB_site->query_first("SELECT COUNT(msgid) AS msgid FROM privatercvd WHERE toid=$bbuserid");
$pmcount = $pmcounta[msgid];
$newpmcounta = $DB_site->query_first("SELECT COUNT(msgid) AS msgid FROM privatercvd WHERE toid=$bbuserid AND UNIX_TIMESTAMP(datetime)>$bblastvisit");
$newpmcount = $newpmcounta[msgid];
if ($newpmcount == 0) {
$lightbulb = 'images/off.gif';
} else {
$lightbulb = 'images/on.gif';
}
if ($lastsent = $DB_site->query_first("SELECT msgid,fromid,UNIX_TIMESTAMP(datetime) AS datetime FROM privatercvd WHERE toid=$bbuserid ORDER BY msgid DESC")) {
$lastid = trim($lastsent[fromid]);
$lastdate=date($dateformat,$lastsent[datetime]+(($timeoffset+$bbtimezoneoffset)*3600));
$lasttime=date($timeformat,$lastsent[datetime]+(($timeoffset+$bbtimezoneoffset)*3600));
$lastsentuser = $DB_site->query_first("SELECT username FROM user WHERE userid=$lastid");
$lastuser = htmlspecialchars($lastsentuser[username]);
$lastuserlink = "<a href=\"forum/private.php?action=show&msgid=$lastsent[msgid]&password=$bbpassword\">$lastuser</a>";
} else {
$lastuserlink = "<i>No one</i>";
}
echo("<font size=1 face=verdana,arial><b>Private Messages:</b><br><a href=forum/private.php>Read them!</a><BR>You have $pmcount private message(s) ($newpmcount new) - Latest Message from $lastuserlink</font>");
} else {
echo("<font size=1 face=verdana,arial><b>Private Messages:</b><br><a href=forum/private.php>Login to read your private messages!</a></font><br><br>");
}
//END PM HACK
?>
demo:
http://www.pcmarket.com.au