Turn off side boxes during checkout?

[Makoshark]

Is there an option to turn off side boxes during check out? Also move the cart contents to the top of the center box header? I would also need a cancel button during check out that would bring the customer back to the index main page?
I want to have a clean page with no distractions during check out. I found this code but I am not sure how to implement it?

if (in_array($current_page_base,explode(",",'login,checkout_shipping,checkout_payment,checkout_confirmation')) && in_array($column_left_display->fields['layout_box_name'],explode(",",'search_header.php,categories.php,manufacturers.php,whats_new.php,featured.php,specials.php,currencies.php')) ) { 
// don't do stuff 
} else { 

Thanks James