write down or record the things I play on guitar

This computer makes it hard, nay impossible, for me to record things I play on guitar. And now I’m playing a lot more I’m coming up with stuff I’d like to record.

Last time I tried recording on my computer a song that I’d written, I somehow managed to blow up my soundcard (=no music for weeks!). So I need to sort out a way of being able to record easily and safely – a system where I can just plug in and record – I’m sick of losing ideas! Finding it frustrating enough to write songs, so when I’m just noodling around on the guitar it would help so much to have a written/aural record of anything pleasing thatI come up with, free from the constraints of my sieve-like memory :)