1.8 PowerPC G5 won't recognize WD external HD? Help?

Hi,
I've recently upgraded from a 1.8 PowerPC G5 to a new MacBook.  I want to back up all my music and photos to an external drive before migrating my information from my PowerPC to my MacBook (as I've heard sometimes it doesn't work according to plan). 
I have an old WD External Hard drive (WD2500ME) 250 GB.  I've used this in the past to back up my music but it has been a while.  Recently I noticed that it when I plug it in to my PowerPC it doesn't appear on the desktop, or in Disk Utility?
I consulted the WD troubleshooting website, went through their protocols, and this is what they said:
'If the drive doesn't show up in Disk Utility, then the last option you have is to connect the drive to another Mac. If it works, then there's an issue with either the hardware or drivers on the primary Mac. You will then have to troubleshoot that computer and operating system. Both of these are handled by Apple.'
When I plug the WD Ext. HD into my new MacBook it  appears in Disk Utility and in the Finder. I can see the files.
This is the stage I'm at now, but I'm a bit at a loss as what to do next?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Is the drive connected via USB or Firewire?
USB and FireWire Quick Assist
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1151?viewlocale=en_US
What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire device
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88338
Dealing with FireWire problems (drives not mounting, devices unrecognized, etc.)
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20041221081432908
Common fixes for USB device issues (unrecognized, etc.)
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20070824012114701
 Cheers, Tom

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