Does your amp have a line out? If it does then use that into the line-in of the computer. Otherwise you can try plugging the guitar into the mic in. And make sure the mic boost selection is checked in the advance recording properties of the volume control applet (Win XP). Mic inputs are frequently cited as noisy so line-in is a better choice.
Your best bet is to pick up a low cost mixer like the Behringer series. This will raise the signal level from the guitar enough to use the line-in on your sound card. Plus it will allow easy cable swaps, mixing other inputs, and even EQ.
You may not know how bad you need a mixer until you have one. For example, I tried recording my Yamaha CG101 classical guitar with a mic and the low G on the E string was booming way louder on the recording, even though it sounded fine to the ear. Fortunately I was able to EQ through the mixer during recording. EQing in software post record had my other signals in the mud.
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