trying to get started, and I know absolutely nothing

[manfrombumfuk]

I want to record on my PC. N-Track seems to be my best bet to get started. I have been recording with one of those cheapo four tracks for years, and I am not overly concerned about sound quality. There is a certain amount of credibility that comes from being lofi you know.
I have a Gateway computer, the sound and video is integrated. The sound is 18 bit stereo duplex. Will this work with N-Track? If my sound is integrated into the board can I install a new sound card?

[Hard2Hear]

Hey, you sound like me not too long ago.
You really have all the tools you need to get started. You can use the onboard sound, of course it won't be the best quality. Bit you CAN put an additional soundcard in your PC with no problems. The hardest thing you might have to do would be maybe disabling your on board audio in the bios. But that is pretty easy to do.
I'm not sure what your PC setup is, but I think the general feeling is that 128MB of memory and a PIII are pretty necessary if you want to record lots of tracks and use plug ins. Especially watch out for the reverb effects, they are hogs!
I would just start plugging things in and playing around. If you have any specific questions just post them here.

[manfrombumfuk]

I have 64mb, I think. Is that going to be a major problem? What kind of money will it take to do the upgrade?

[manfrombumfuk]

PIII, you're talking about the processor right? I have a 566 mhz. Maybe I bought the wrong computer.

[Hard2Hear]

I think you'll be ok. I would do a memory upgrade, though. Yesterday I saw 128MB PC100 memory for like $90, so its not too bad. I'm going to try out that setup on a PIII 550 this weekend, so we'll see how it goes.
You can get by on the 64MB if you shy away from effect plug ins for now.