Delta 44 + Recording (using Guitar Ri...

Hi guys,
This is my first post here - I've had a look around and got some useful info from previous posts, but I'm having some probs and thought I could get some more help.
I've got my hands on a Delta 44 and set it all up, i've installed new drivers, and I've also updated my motherboard even though its brand new (it's a VIA chipset and apparently they have been known to have some issues with deltas). At this stage I don't have any proper monitors, so I've set the delta patchbay router to assign HW Out 1/2 to the monitor mixer. From there I've simply plugged my headphones straight into HW output 1 (HW output 2 is free as I don't have a splitter yet - so I'm only getting signal thru one ear). I've also had to plug my guitar straight into HW input 1, as I don't have a pre amp yet, but I'm only testing at this stage. I'm getting awesome latency using ASIO, but unfortunately I've run into some probs when listening back to my guitar thru the headphones. I'm using Native Instruments' Guitar Rig software. Understandably the level is very low as there is no pre amp, but what I'm experiencing is: 1.alot of static noise when playing. 2.sound is only played thru the headphones when I play a note with enough pressure - lightly playing produces nothing. 4. notes don't ring out - static noise gets louder then all of a sudden the sound signal goes completely silent...
However, I played back what I had recorded, and even though it was very low in volume, i cranked my computer speakers and it sounded really clear - no static from what I could hear. So it looks like this is a recording issue.
Sorry for the long post...could this be a simple config problem in the delta control panel, or due to lack of pre-amp / proper monitor? Or could it be the program? Any help would be fantastic!
My set up:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
1 gig ddr ram
Delta 44 (recording)
VIA AC97 onboard K8T800 sound
Thanks very much, it is appreciated.
Cheers

Delta 44 + Recording (using Guitar Rig) please help!