28 Mar 2006 at 16:59 - 42
Ya, I don't recommend working on an expensive computer if you don't have experience.
Then again, there's nothing that compares with hands on experience. Eventually you will need to get your hands dirty. A fun way to gain some experience is to look in your local paper for people selling very old computers (still working) in bulk for cheap. At a certain point computer parts become worthless junk that know one wants, so take the opportunity to learn on those old machines. Set up a clean room in your house with a work bench or table and practice taking a computer apart completely and putting it back together. Buy a book on computer installation that has lots of pictures that walk you thru it.
You apparently know SOMETHING about computers, you just need to expand your knowledge. Knowledge is power!