Cleaning my Powerbook before I sell it.

Hello, I am a PC user and bought a Mac Powerbook G4 12inch notebook from a co-worker. After having it for awhile I have decided to sell it and stick with PC's.
I need to clean my info off it. Is there a simple way to clean up the PC without a complete resetting of the computer? The computer came with NO discs and currently has Word, excel, etc on it and I don't want to lose it. I hate to say it, but I'm a moron when it comes to Macs. I can't even figure out how to delete some word docs or some web site favorites.
Any suggestions would be helpful. Even a suggestion of where to take it to have it done. I have a couple passwords, etc I would like to know will not be on it when I sell it.
Thanks in advance.

Hi MacRookie and welcome. Sorry to hear that you are going back to the PC world. At least you gave Macs a try
If you'd like to keep all the programs but remove your personal information, such as word documents, web browser prefs, etc) there are simple ways to do this without reformating the drives (and as you said, since you don't have the OS disks, would be a tad difficult).
First the web browsers. Most of them, if not all, have a Clear Cache and/or Private Data option(s) under the menu item that has the browser name (in between the apple and File). Click there, then preferences, then usually under the option privacy. For firefox, check the security tab to make sure you removed stored passwords.
To remove bookmarks, you could just select Bookmarks --> organize Bookmarks (menu options bookmarks) in each open browser, then delete them.
TO delete files from the hard drive, drag any folder you have created into the trash can. TO make sure all files that you may have downloaded are going to be deleted, open up a window in the desktop, then open the documents folder and make sure it is empty. then open the the other folders (music, movies, pictures) just in case. Last, open the hard drive by clicking it's icon, then open the folder "users" go through any folder there making sure that there is nothing personal in them.
Lastly, make sure you are in the finder, then under the menu item labled Finder, select SECURE empty trash and click ok. Will probably take a while.
Did you get the computer with all the login info on it preselected? so that you didn't run your own set up?
-Doug

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It's handy to have a magnifying loupe and light of some sort to assist with the cleaning. When viewing the sensor from the front, keep in mind that the image is upside down and reversed. So, for example, if you saw a spot in the upper lefhand corner of your images, when viewing the sensor directly you'll find the offending speck in the lower righthand corner.
Usually you will need a variety of tools to do a multistep cleaning....
"Bulb blower cleaning" to puff away loose particles ("Rocket Blower").
"Wet cleaning" with approved sensor cleaning fluid and optical cleaning swabs to remove oils and more strongly adhered particles ("Copper Hill Method kit", "Pecs Pads", "Pecs Swabs", "Eclipse" solution).
"Adhesive cleaning" using a lightly sticky surface to lift off lightly adhered particles ("Dust Aid").
"Anti-static brush cleaning" to clear stubborn, remaining lightly adhered particles and to reduce any static charge that's attracting dust ("Arctic Butterfly").
"Individual speck removal" with a reusable, precision tool ("Speck Grabber").
"Final polishing" is always a last step to remove haze left behind by cleaning fluids ("Sensor Pen by LensPen"). This also helps discourage dust from adhering to the surface again.
I've included some product brand names in the parentheses just as examples. There may be other equally effective products.
Most of the time I find myself using several or even all of these when I do a sensor cleaning.
Cheers!
Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM

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