beginner needs help please

hello
new to audacity, just downloaded 2.3.3 for windows 10
i watched many tutorials and read many articles but i am still stuck and frustrated

particulars

objective - trying to record old cassette tapes to audacity before they disintegrate

using windows 10 on a newer dell laptop with only one combo headphone/mic jack

equipment being used is an old stand alone tape deck, cable used is white/red RCA out from tape deck reduced to
a single 3.5mm 3 ring which plugs into the MIC jack of the specific “Y” adapter made for these single
headphone/microphone combo ports. (4 segment 3.5mm male plug into computer port with 2 female legs, one for mic and one for headphones)

i have experimented with all the windows settings, apparently the interface is “realtek”
and have matched the windows selections with the audacity choices
i tried stereo mix setting (tape deck does not work with audacity)
line in setting (tape deck does not work with audacity)
microphone setting - tape deck does not work with audacity but
built in mic does work with heavy echo/reverberation??

THE STRANGE THING IS THAT THE TAPE DECK METERS DO NOT SHOW ACTIVITY WHEN CONNECTED TO AUDACITY/COMPUTER
BUT WHEN ITS DISCONNECTED FROM THE COMPUTER THE METERS ARE ACTIVE ?

i have been getting conflicting information, some say the single combo port on a laptop is not viable, while others say it is?
any help will be much appreciated.

thanks

“Combo ports” are problematic and not generally recommended for recording.

Does your tape deck have an output level control? If it does, then I would recommend getting a Behringer UCA-202 or UCA-222. If it doesn’t then one of these cheap Behringer devices “may” work OK, but if your tape deck kicks out a higher than “normal” signal level you could get distortion.

The UCA-202 costs around $30 and I’ve never for a moment regretted buying one. I’ve used mine regularly for over 10 years!

My interface is an old-school Hitachi tape deck that does have a record level adjustment
I am willing to try this external device, am I likely to encounter any other pitfall problems that may be a dealbreaker?
Also i note there are a few choices, which model might be the best for my application?

Currently using a Dell laptop with “Realtek”
and windows 10

Thanks

Also forgot to ask will I need any kind of a preamp for this or should the tape deck be OK playing own

I didn’t need a pre-amp when I used my Nakamichi BX-2 to transcribe my tapes.

WC