Migrating from G4 Powerbook to Mac Pro

Hi all-
I just purchased a Mac Pro online. I'm going to use it to replace my G4 Powerbook which has just become too slow for the video editing and color correction processes I'm trying to use it for.
So... when I run setup assistant and bring all my software over to the new machine, is there a way to bring across all the serial number and license files as well or am I going to have to re-enter all my serial numbers and such?
I've got a LOT of software and plugins with such things and it's going to take a while to re-enter everything. I'm just trying to make the process as painless as possible.
Powerbook G4, 15 to Intel Xeon 2.66 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Please keep in mind that any software you have that is PPC coded should first be replaced with universal binary versions. Although you can transfer preference files and PPC applications, the applications will not run as fast under the Rosetta emulation as their universal binary versions which are coded for Intel.
You should take care about what you migrate because there are important differences between the PPC and Intel Macs that make simple migration a potential disaster:
A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3 or G4 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
Screensavers written for the PowerPC
System Preference add-ons
All Unsanity Haxies
Browser and other plug-ins
Contextual Menu Items
Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
Kernel extensions
Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior (does not work), TechTool Pro (pre-4.5.1 versions do not work), SuperDuper (newest release works), and Drive Genius (untested) may not work properly on Intel-Macs. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
Intel In Macs
Apple Guide to Universal Applications
MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.

Similar Messages

Migrating from a G4 to Mac Pro

I have been running Time Machine for over a year now on my current system, a G4 Quicksilver.
I just purchased a Mac Pro and was wondering if I can continue to use my Time Machine drive on the new system? I assume I will probably never be able to restore from a older backup date (pre-Mac Pro) but will there be any other issues?

you can use Migration Assistant to migrate the data from the TM backups of your G4 to the MP.
but see this link about using MA when migrating from PPC to intel.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435350&tstart=0
After migration that you'll have to start a new TM backup sequence for the new computer. you will have access to your old backups but only in browse mode. to enter browse mode control-click on Tm in the dock and select 'browse other TM disks". also you might have to reformat the TM drive for use with the MP. TM drive should be formatted with GUID partition scheme for intel macs and APM for PPC ones. it may work without reformatting but you may encounter problems later. I would suggest you reformat the TM drive after migrating your data.

How do I migrate from G4 to Xeon Mac Pro?

What cord do I need to use to hook them up via firewire?
is there a firewire 400 to 800 cord?
WIll i be able to use a firewire 400 disk drive on the new mac pro?

is there a firewire 400 to 800 cord?
Yes. E.g. http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=164598
WIll i be able to use a firewire 400 disk drive on the new mac pro?
Yes. Read: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=666896
[A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435350]
Message was edited by: Limnos

Portable Home Directories - Migrating from a PowerBook to MacBook Pro

On my Powerbook, I'm using one account as PHD. Now, I bought a new MacBook Pro and at the initial setup, I transferred all data from the old Powerbook to the new MacBook Pro, including accounts.
When I now login the first time to the Mac OS X Server from the new Mac with the PHD account, do I have to take care of anything in particular? Does the sync work as usual?
Thanks for your promt help!
Thomas
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7)

I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark here:
When you logged on to the new Macbook Pro, was it on an account that you set up locally on that machine? One perhaps with the same user short name as your Server account?
The way this works is, when you enter a username in the login panel, the Mac OS client looks into it's own local machine database (Netinfo) to find out if that client exists. If not, it checks the servers it's bound to in the "Authentication" tab of Directory Access and checks there.
So if your old Powerbook was using an account named "kirk", which is exists on your server and synced as a Portable Home Directory, and then you created a new account on your new Macbook named "kirk", your Macbook's OS won't even look on the server because it found a "kirk" locally.
If this is what happened, just do this: create a new administrator account on your MacBook, log into it, and delete your fresh new Macbook "kirk" user. Log out. At the login window, select "Other" and use your server "kirk" login. Now you'll get the option to copy your server-based home directory as a PHD.

Migration from G4 Powerbook(partitioned) to new IMAC

I am tried to use Migration today, from G4 Titanium DVI Powerbook(partitioned) #1 MacTiger 10.4.11- 14GB, #2 OSX 9.9GB, #3 OS9 4GB to my new IMAC that I have had for a couple of weeks. When I had to enter the name info, it kept on telling me that I had to change the names as they were already existing. Began migration and it ran for 3 hours or more then stopped with 2 hours 58 minutes remaining on the clock. I let it go for over another hour. Nothing happening. Tried to cancel but 3 new icons were on my IMAC desktop. Rainbow wheel goes round and round etc. on IMAC. I then held down the power button on the G4 to power off. The 3 new icons on my IMAC desktop, I dragged them to the trash. I'm all in a sweat just writing this down. Who would like to hold my hand as I walk through the valley of the shadow........
Thanks for your reading, responding, succeeding. You guys always come through. Are PC people this fortunate?

I'm not sure what you are asking. Yes you can change the name of a user account, but it's a bit complicated. It would be easier to simply transfer the files as I've outlined rather than trying to use Migration Assistant which will attempt to transfer everything in the user account, which is ill-advised. There are PPC components in your old system that you do not want moved to the new computer. PPC components can gum up the works on an Intel system.
Migration Assistant is an excellent tool but it's not the right tool when you are migrating from a PPC Mac to an Intel one. See the following:
A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
Screensavers written for the PowerPC
System Preference add-ons
All Unsanity Haxies
Browser and other plug-ins
Contextual Menu Items
Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
Kernel extensions
Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior 4.1, TechTool Pro 4.6.1, SuperDuper 2.5, and Drive Genius 2.0.2 work properly on Intel-Macs with Leopard. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries. Leopard Cache Cleaner, Onyx, TinkerTool System, and Cocktail are now compatible with Leopard.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
Intel In Macs
Apple Guide to Universal Applications
MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ
Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode or copying the critical contents to CD and DVD or an external hard drive will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs.
Basically the instructions you should follow are:
1. Backup your data first. This is vitally important in case you make a mistake or there's some other problem.
2. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.
3. Startup your old Mac in Target Disk Mode.
4. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and registration screens, but do NOT migrate data over. Get to your desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.
4. Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to Macjack for this information.
If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.
5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.
Revised 3/12/2008

? migrating from Logic 8 on Mac G5 to Logic 9.1 Mountain Lion on new Intel Mac

I'm migrating from a non-Intel Mac G5 PPC with retail Logic Pro 7 installed and also the upgrade to Logic 8.
What is the best way to install Logic on my newly acquired July 2011 Quad-Core Mac Mini Server ( MMS ) ?
I have the original install disks for Logic Pro 7 retail and also the upgrade disks for Logic Studio 8 Upgrade Box retail.
Can I install Logic Pro 7 first onto the MMS and then install the Logic 8 disk and then install the Box set Logic Studio 9 upgrade ?

An important piece of information is required.
What version of OSX is on the 2011 Mac-Mini?
If it's Snow Leopard you're probably ok, if any version of Lion or ML is installed you're in for some work.
Might want to read this discussion.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/19441924#19441924

How do I migrate outlook mail folders to mac pro

How do I migrate outlook mail folders to mac pro.

Outlook for Windows:
About Windows Migration Assistant
Outlook for Mac:
http://www.techhit.com/outlook/export_import_outlook_to_entourage_apple_mac_mail .html

Time machine only copies User Info and Users (Applications, Library, and System are missing) from my quad core Mac Pro. 45 Gb of 162 Gb are missing. Any one having success with time machine copying all folders using Mavericks? What do I need to do dif

Time machine only copies User Info and Users (Applications, Library, and System are missing) from my quad core Mac Pro. 45 Gb of 162 Gb are missing. Any one having success with time machine copying all folders using Mavericks?
What do I need to do differently?

The late, great Pondini was investigating that issue before he passed away.
See here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5125969
I think there might be information there on how to reset Time Machine to do a full backup. I think you basically have to reset it and start over.

HT3231 why do all these pages not tell you where migration assistant is on a mac pro. they all say what to do when you have it however this is of no use if you are unable to find.

why do all these pages not tell you where migration assistant is on a mac pro. They all say what to do when it is on however this is of no use if you are unable to find it in the first place.

In the Utilities folder, which is in Applications. You could also use Spotlight to search for it.
Matt

Migrating Internal Non Boot HD From Old G4 To Mac Pro

Hey guys,
I have done a search and haven't been able to find anything to help me with this. I have an extra internal HD in my old G4, it is a non boot drive. Now I want to be able to transfer all the files from it to my new Mac Pro. When I try and connect them via migration assistant, it only mounts my original G4 boot drive on the Mac Pro. Does anyone have any suggestion as to how I can get the etra internal HD to mount?
Regards,
Alex
Mac Pro Dual 2.66 3 GB Ram 1 x 500GB Hitachi HD 1 x 500GB WD HD 30" Display Mac OS X (10.4.8) G4 Quicksilver 867 1.12 Ram 80 GB HD 17" Studio Display

Yes, migration assistant only works with boot drives because it is designed to migrate things like user settings, applications, and so forth. It looks for drives or partitions that contain "blessed" system folders and files, to throw out an old-school Mac term.
You probably cannot put the G4 drive in your Mac Pro; the Mac Pro's bays are SATA. Your G4 is IDE.
However, you can boot your G4 in Firewire Target Mode (restart holding down the T key) and then plug the G4 into the Mac Pro via FireWire, and the G4 will mount as a drive on the Mac PRo. From there, you can copy whatever you choose from the old drive.
You can also remove the G4 drive and place it in an enclosure. I really like the ones Wiebetech.com has - I have a triple interface enclosure that offers USB, FW400, and FW800 connectors.
BTW, many people have found that using Migration Assisant is troublesome, myself included. After trying it and experiencing less than stellar performance, I wiped the Mac Pro and set it up from scratch. It's just not a good idea to copy between entirely different architectures. I've had fine results going from G4 to G5, but not from G5 to intel-based macs.
Hope this helps!
I think that migration assistant only works with boot
drives. However, there are lots of other ways to
transfer files. The Mac Pro has 4 hard drive bays, so
one option could be to put the drive into one of
those bays... There are external drive enclosures and
CD burners, as well.

Changing from G5 to new Mac Pro system

Hello Mac users,
I did search the forum for answers to my question, did not find any right away.
I have been using a Mac PPC G5 since 2004 or so. I am running Leopard 10.xx on this PPC. Due to requirements in software (seems more new software is for Intel version only) I have decided to break down and get a new Intel Mac Pro (dual 2.8, etc).
I have 2 G-Tech external firewire drives, and 1 internal SATA, and 1 external SATA to Firewire drive. All these drives are formatted as Extended, non-journaling (only 1 partition on each). Will the new mac read these drives without issue? I plan to place the external SATA/Firewire (It is in an ICY Dock) in to one of the spare bays in the new system. This drives carry the bulk of my data.
I have many applications, iPhoto 6, iMovie 6, Aperture, Final Cut Studio, and a few others. I plan to re-install all these apps on the new machine. I might try to copy my pref files for final cut and soundtrack to the new system.
I would also like to copy all the data under my user name on the "Macintosh HD" to the same username on the new mac. I plan to have the same user names on the new system.
I am trying to cover all the pitfalls in moving from my old system to the new one. I have seen postings recommending not using the setup assistant or the migration assistant to accomplish these tasks, and I do not mind reloading the apps, too much, particularly if it is safer!
any tips or advice on the process will be appreciated.
eholz1

Will the new mac read these drives without issue?
Yes.
I have many applications, iPhoto 6, iMovie 6, Aperture, Final Cut Studio, and a few others. I plan to re-install all these apps on the new machine. I might try to copy my pref files for final cut and soundtrack to the new system.
Check your applications for compatibility; unless you need to use the older iLife applications, don't install them. If you need to use the older iMovie only, use this download instead of the version on the PowerMac. Preference files don't need to be checked.
I would also like to copy all the data under my user name on the "Macintosh HD" to the same username on the new mac. I plan to have the same user names on the new system.
Create the accounts in the same order they were initially created.
(34702)

Migration from old Powerbook to new iMac

I have just bought a new Intel 20" iMac. I have moved Documents, Applications and Music from an old G4 Aluminium Powerbook (running Leopard) to the iMac but which ever way I do it, be it via Migration Assistant, Wireless or via Ethernet cable, the size of the Hard Disk on the iMac increases by double. I also now have the following very annoying things happening, such as tons of Alias' on my Hard drive, .DS_Store files absolutely everywhere and a Microsoft AU Deamon appearing everytime I restart the iMac.
Can anyone advice me on how to identify the space consuming files, how to get rid of them and how best to get my files, music, photos etc from the old Powerbook onto this iMac.
Kev Bate

Brody,
Thank you. You have saved me from going crazy as everyone (including the Techies at the Mac shop where I bought the iMac) were adamant how easy it was to migrate using Migration Assistant. So I was getting a complex that whenever I brought something across from the Powerbook that the hard drive on my iMac was doubling in size.
I took the iMac back to the Apple shop and they restored the disk back to the original settings. I am now transferring files using traditional & physical means such as external hard drives.
Kev

Transferring my files from my 1.1 Mac pro to my new 5k iMac FireWire to lighting?

i Just ordered the replacement for my antique 1.1 version Mac Pro which is loaded with external FireWire hard drives as well as 3 internal 1 and 2 tearabyte and the one tearabyte SSD boot drive it is of course on 10.7.5 it also has a pair of apple cinama displays on from 2006 and the other from 2011
i just bought the machine below picking it up in a week and with it a pair of FireWire 800 to lighting adapters ....
my thought was to transfer my important stuff to the fusion drive via a FireWire 800 to lighting2 cable and the Apple transition software and then get a lighting 2 housing that will take the 3 internal hard drives and the internal SSD then chain my large external fire wire 800 drives and my FireWire brueray drive off of it with one of the adapters
does all this sound ok? I have not been able to find a lighting 2 drive case the takes the old mac pro drive sleds but can a good 4 or 6 bay lighting 2 extrrnal drive case be recomended?
as the old Mac Pro has windows XP sp3 as its boot camp I know it can not make the move.
I do have win 7 pro 64 as my boot camp on my mid 2009 Mac book pro already running Yosemite with all of the boot camp applications and data on an external F800 two tear drive from laci so my first thought was to use the orignal win 7 distrub DVD to create a new boot camp partition on the 3tera fusion drive but I am wondering if it would be better to set up the SSD in its new home as dedicated to the boot camp stuff with the existing win external drives....
Sorry for for all the questions but I am some one who made the transition from 400k to 800k to the first mac+ 5 meg hard drives to the SCCI world then to FireWire 400 then to FireWire 800 and I am hoping that this hopefully last migration for a while with be at least semi painless.... And as I near 70 I am not quite the geek I once was.
27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display
$3,349.00
With the following configuration:
4.0GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.4GHz
16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x8GB
3TB Fusion Drive
AMD Radeon R9 M295X 4GB GDDR5
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
Accessory Kit
AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac - Auto-enroll
$169.00

i was up until 4AM reading reviews and studying features and prices of every thunderbolt box i could find and in the end ordered the thunder bay 4 from new egg for $516.99 including shipping
as of today i found nothing better on the market for a thunderbolt 4 bay box i could have saved perhaps $35 by getting 2 highpoint dual bay boxes but the loss of versatility and perceived quality crossed that option off the list so OWC thunder bay 4 it is . it should get here just in time too
thanks again for the help

Help with migrating from PPC G5 to MacBook Pro 2012

I haven't even booted up my new MacBook Pro, because a lot of postings in Discussions and elsewhere warn me of problems if I try to use Migration Assistant to bring my user data and files across from a PPC Mac to a new MacBook Pro running Lion.
BORING DETAILS: I'm jumping from a dual G5 Dual Power Mac (PPC, running Leopard 10.5.8) over to a 2012 MacBook Pro, (a 15" fast i7 quad non-retina, with 1 GB GPU and 16 GB RAM, running latest Lion). I have a lot of data and apps, including "pro apps" like Final Cut and lots of photo- and video-production software.
I know that I'll need to reinstall all my apps from scratch, even Universals, especially all my Pro apps. But, I have read some positive guidance about possibly using Migration Assistant to move only my User identity and related files across to the MBP. Then, reinstalling / upgrading apps. And, afterwards, using Firewire (target mode) to move various data folders and docs.
I'm confused. I like the idea of moving myself as User/admin across, relatively intact -- IF that's a good idea -- then reinstalling apps. Then, moving various files (docs andand data) across. Hopefully, this route wind up with minimal or zero PERMISSIONS problems. Guidance or links, pretty please...?
I've read the great postings from Kappy and some others, in Discussions, but most don't address the issue of moving User identity and data from the PPC Mac over to the Intel. Maybe it's a "big" issue only in my mind?

Joshua Coventry and sig and others:
Thanks!
If you combine those last two pieces of advice and mix in the best of the earlier suggestions, that's pretty much what I wound up doing:
I used Setup Assistant to create a "NewGuest" account on the MacBook Pro, with minimal information submitted to Apple (basically, only my correct name and address, etc.). Then I immediately used the Migration Assistant to bring over ONLY 1) my main User admin account and its Home folder and 2) the computer settings from the G5 Power Mac.
Finally, I changed the "NewGuest" to a regular account (non-admin), rebooted the MPB, and deleted NewGuest and its home folder. Then began the long job of feeding appropriate software into my new MBP: installing or reinstalling the latest Intel versions of all of my key productivity apps and utilities.
So far, I'm getting very good results. No MBP indigestion, but it's daunting to look at a new Dock that's now almost totally populated by question marks (the G5's Dock had almost fifty apps)! There's one major benefit: a chance to reconsider whether I really needed all of that stuff to begin with, and if I need it now!
The need-it-now vital stuff is being pulled over via Firewire, and I've just bought an external USB 3 enclosure for the G5's main boot drive, and it will now be available as a handy source for various files, docs, settings as I need them, and for any "second thoughts" that I might have about what really belongs on the MacBook Pro's boot disk. All is well, and it looks like it will STAY well (but stay tuned!).
Thanks, y'all! Hope this helps someone else facing a similar challenge.

Migrate old G4 to new Mac Pro

I'm helping a customer set up a new Mac Pro. They have an old G4 and would like to migrate Photoshop and Illustrator files to the new system.
I'm aware of the Firewire cable + Target Disk mode, and I know it could be done over ethernet as well.
I'm wondering about simply opening up the G4, taking the hard disk out and putting in an empty bay on the Mac Pro. Obviously we wouldn't try to boot from it (it has Tiger) but my question is simply one of drive compatibility. Would the new Mac Pro be able to use the HDD from the old G4?
Just looking for painless, easy and cheap. I have replaced HDD many times so that's not an issue, I just don't know if it will work.
Thanks in advance for any and all assistance.

"...my question is simply one of drive compatibility. Would the new Mac Pro be able to use the HDD from the old G4?..."
No. Not cleanly at all. The Mac Pro's use SATA drives while the G4 would have IDE drives. They are different interfaces. You could potentially get an adapter, something like this to get your connections worked out. However, this issue is still going to be where to physically put the G4's drive inside the Mac Pro. An SATA drive would fit into a bracket, and simply slide right into all the appropriate connections (Power & Data).
But the adapter card you'd have to install to make the IDE drive work, will also prevent it from working as well. Hope that makes sense.
An alternative may be to buy an external Firewire enclosure, ready for an IDE (or "ATA") drive and put the old G4 drive there. Simple and clean - guaranteed to work.
An internal solution does not seem possible to me.

Migrating from G4 Powerbook to Mac Pro

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