Can I use the WNDR3800 Netgear router with OS X 10.4.11?

Question

I just got a WNDR3800 Netgear router and I have not been able to get it to work. I have a PowerPC G5 iMac running OS 10.4.11 . The system requirements on the box includes Mac OS, no version specified. So I assumed it would run with my OS version. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

It should work fine with a wired connection, without complications (unless you are intentionally using special settings on the router).  Make sure it is set up, as Steve mentioned, with the standard Configure Using DHCP setting in System Preferences Network pane (for Ethernet).  That's the default setting, so you should not need to change anything.
Also, your cable should be at least Cat-5e quality.  Cat-5 may work, but the achieved speed may suffer if the iMac and router are both capable of gigabit Ethernet.  Make sure it is not a really old cable.  In any case, be sure to try a different cable, in case the one you have been using is bad.
Other things to try...
In System Preferences Network pane, look at the sidebar with the list of network services.  Make sure Ethernet is listed first (at the top of the list).  There is a command to Set Service Order.  I don't remember precisely the procedure for 10.4 (Tiger).  If there is a small gear icon under the sidebar, click it (that's where the command is in the current Mac OS X).  Or you may just need to drag the items on the sidebar list directly, to the order you want.  After the change, click the Apply button.  This setting determines the order in which network services are tried, when you startup and log in.  You want Ethernet to be tried first.  You may want to restart after making a change.
In the same pane, you can also try removing any network services that you do not need.  Select the item and click the minus sign at the bottom of the sidebar.  You can always put them back later using the plus sign.
If you keep AirPort on the list, but do not use it regularly, you can try turning it OFF when it's not being used.
If all of that fails, try setting up a new Location in System Preferences Network pane.  The new location will use default settings as the starting point, so you can try setting up the Ethernet connection again, from there.