I think it's not Audacity that's the problem but your method. The program is well-known for its mixing capabilities; I believe most fan-dubs/radio plays use it, assuming they don't buy better programs. I don't believe there's a good free alternative.

Ok, it is working better,  i just need to unplug and kick everything.  It will work fine enough

Windows XP?

Start > All Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder

That's the first one I tried, but I couldn't get to record anything longer than a minute.

You can use windows movie maker's narration feature. Import any image. Click show timeline. Put an image into the timeline expand it to whatever length you need. Start a narration recording with the appropriate input selected and, stop when done. This prompts you to save. You can just close out movie maker at this point or, cut out any additional bits by clicking to that point on the audio track and selecting split. Right click on the part you want deleted. Select delete. Then move the audio track to the beggining. Delete the image you used from the timeline. Save the resulting audio. Oh yeah narration feature is the mic icon.

I never had any problem with Goldwave or audacity.  What i did have a problem with was a crappy soundcard, easy to fix just get a better one, or 6o cycles hum a real bitch to deal with.

Then i needed a hum eliminator and they work but sometimes can give undesirable results.