Q: freind gave me her old ibook g4 cuz she got new one,,how do i wipe it clean,,and start over to make it mine

If she has included the original software DVDs the computer shipped with, that

would be very helpful to install a new system similar to what it can support; and

if those discs include a retail Leopard OS X 10.5 DVD, that could be good if the

iBook G4 has a processor of at least 867MHz or higher speed.

For the slower processor speed models of earlier build, Panther 10.3 or Tiger

10.4 were often included with a good set of original extra software; plus there

would have been a matching Apple Hardware Test for the iBook G4 you have.

For erasing old content and installing a new system, you would need to have

either the original install-restore discs (to include the software shipped w/ it)

and/or a later OS X retail install DVD to upgrade past the original system set

that likely would have been a more vintage or obsolete system, per the era of

the computer's manufacture date... (usually Panther 10.3, or Tiger 10.4)

The original software set would be on gray label DVD, and should have the

name of the computer, part numbers, and the model. However if there are

two or three DVDs included with gray label, does not necessarily mean they

came with the computer when new. This is important, other discs won't work.

A general outline of what to do, in most basic terms, has been addressed in

these ASC discussions, here is an example of a Q & A restore iBook post:

•Gifting a PowerBook G4 to a friend - how to proceed? - same method.

So, if you can identify the computer, then other avenues may be found to help;

for browsers, you'd need to look into TenFourFox, iCab, SeaMonkey for PPC,

and maybe a few others. Get this from their maker sites only to avoid getting

bad downloads that may be contaminated with adware or other malware.

Good luck & happy computing!

•How to clean Apple products

Several topics and a few additional links are within the blue page URL above.

There are certain third party products that may or may not be suitable for use

on the display plastic layer, the keyboard, and the polycarbonate case. Be

sure to check before using these, and do not let liquid cleaner get into the

gaps between component sections of the computer as that can short electrical

circuitry inside, and force a major failure to occur.

Should you require specific answers, the Support and related sites are helpful

in that some topics are detailed and require attention to detail; such as the

methods or steps necessary to erase and install the complete system software.

Several topic areas within ASC can field your questions, the iBook uses a

certain operating system and applications, those questions are separate

from the machine itself, since the vintage OS X can run on several models.

So several questions can be posted in a variety of locations in these ASC.

You had posted this topic in the PowerBook ASC area, and it seems to have

been moved to the notebook> iBook's ASC, so to perhaps facilitate replies;

but this is a slow area of the Apple Support Communities. If you know what

system software you have on DVD that should have been included with this

portable computer (as it came with some, when new, to restore it) then you

could also post Mac OS X system install-restore questions in that ASC area.

Early iBook G4 (not white G3) first shipped with Panther 10.3 included with it;

later early iBook G4 models shipped with Tiger 10.4; these were specific ones

on DVD or CD media, for use with these iBook G4 models of that vintage.

If you were given system discs, they should have information on them to tell

what they are, and that can help you to install restore (erase, start over) a

new installation. It is recommended that a single-pass overwrite zeros and

then a reformat of the hard disk drive should be done, wiping all old content.

Your friend should be familiar with the computer, but not necessarily; though

that would make it helpful to have some hands-on experienced to restore it.

A few repair guides that may be of help with these older computers may still

be found online to read, some may be in PDF; iFixit.com has some for Mac.

Hopefully you can have some good use of the computer, and you may need

to find a replacement battery for the portable; OWC macsales.com has some

replacement parts as do other knowledgeable suppliers to the Mac community.

These computers are considered obsolete and don't see much support, yet

a few authorized Apple service providers and specialists may still fix them.

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing!