A lost novice taking audio from a akai deck 2 a usb interface via usb cable to computer and not working?

I have an old akai turntable deck and a art accessories usb interface, which i was told i needed to alter the sound values. firstly i am not sure if i should plug the deck into the amplifier or not, or straight into the interface. either way i dont even know how to capture the sound in xp. i know i have to save it as a file but dont even know where to start to look to see if the computer is picking it up. i am not a silly person and i am trying my best and in deperate need of help from a kind electronics audio wizz child. cheers. i am using aduacity sound something or other lol. i may not even have xp set up properly but i can get radio stations on the puter. is there a kind male or female that knows anything to help. no smart jokes
Answer
Set the deck up as normal assume it has a head phone jack connect this head phone jack to you sound card line in or mic open audacity and record make sure sound level is low (can always be turned up a little )