Mac Built-in Audio Ports, Problem with audio ports Options

[mfro]

hi

this is probably a dumb and somewhat obsolete question but nonetheless:

I've been recording into my BW G3 into Pro Tools Free through the built-in sound input which works fine except that I have to pull the jack halfway out (to the ring I suppose) to get the full signal or, in some cases, a stereo signal. If it's in all the way I only get a partial signal that sounds like half of the audio is cut out. I've spent hours of internet searching but haven't been able to dig up much info, other than it may have something to do with Apples' plaintalk technology. I'm using 1/8" to 1/8" cables from radio shack with a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter on one end to go into my mixing board.Since the jack is practically hanging out of the input the tiniest bump or pull disengages the signal making it really hard to get anything done. I tried the griffin imic as a solution but couldn't get it to work properly with Pro Tools free.

Anyone know what is going on?

thanks much
mfro