The adapter is TRS(two black rings), while the cable terminates in TS (one black ring). Try getting an adapter that terminates in TS instead, that may be it.

I would buy a cheap USB or Firewire interface with some mic pres and MIDI if I were you. Something like this
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UA25/

There are much better out there but you sound like you are on a tight budget.

I got it to record so at least thats a start! Though when i playback what I have recorded, the is a fair ammount of fuss on the recording. I'm guessing that this might be because of power cables, as the cable from the mic goes straight round the back of my PC and plugs in near to the power cable. Would I be better pluging my mic into one of these or something simlar? http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=820

So about this as you can tell im completely new to all of this

What kind of soundcard? Some older and most motherboard sound "cards" are really bad about noise.

oh yeah its an onbaord chip, can it make a massive difference if i buy a PCI sound card? If so any recomendations on a budget of around £70 (GBP)

Dude the wire that ur connecting the mic with, will only allow non-phantom powered mics. i know that ur mic is not phantom powered, but are u putting it in ur soundcard's line in or mic in?

a preamp or mixer might help.

or try getting a xlr to xlr cable and connect to a mixer.

Mic > XLR cable (both ends) > mic pre OR a mixer > appropriate cable > sound card.

You will not be able, in any way, to get the sound you're looking for by adapting the XLR output of the mic down to a mini plug into your sound card. In addition to improperly converting the balanced, mic level output of the 57, you are most likely introducing an impedance mis-match between the mic and the input of the computer (if the computer is looking for a line level input), which affects the mic's output level and frequency response, thus making it completely impossible for the 57 to perform the way that it is designed to.

Additionally, the onboard sound card that you presently have is incapable of giving the result that you most likely desire. Invest in a small mixer or microphone pre-amplifier, and a sound card or audio interface for your computer.

Thanks for your replies! So I will have my -

57 > XLR-XLR > http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=3026 > Cable > http://

I know the mixer is cheap but will that do the job on a budget? same with the sound card.

Thanks in advance

I would get this card http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/701341/

Not sure what that converts to in £, but it's a better card than the audigy.