Chosen Solution
I have two iMac G4, both 20-inch models, PowerMac6,3 One is running Mac OS X Leopard which connects to the WiFi just fine. AirPort Extreme, Locale: Unknown, Firmware: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 My second G4 is running Mac OS X Panther which detects all the available networks but it doesn’t connect to any even when the password is correct. AirPort Card Information… Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme Locale: Worldwide Firmware: 3.2GMc1 Current Wireless Network: wireless network not available Modem Information… Firmware Version: APPLE VERSION 2.6.1 Driver: InternalUSBModem.kext (v2.6.1) Modem: Dash2 (V.92) Australia 1.0F Country: 9 (Australia) Interface Type: USB I read in another post that G4 does not recognise WPA2 and I might need to change my router setting to WPA. But then how come one works and the other one doesn’t?
Here’s a good primer on WiFi security protocols Wireless Security Protocols: WEP, WPA, and WPA2 To add to this your WiFi router (AP) may not allow the older WEP connection as its just not secure! Time to upgrade the OS-X to the newest your systems can support so you can use the best WiFi security they offer. Even still WPA is not as secure as WPA2 and we even have a newer version! WPA3 which your systems just can’t handle as well. If you need to use these older systems I would recommend you make the investment into more modern WiFi products like Eero Mesh 3 pack. Then using these instead of the built-in WiFi via the built-in Ethernet connection of your systems, You’ll also gain speed as well! Do keep in mind these systems are just not safe on the internet. These older OS-X systems just don’t have the most upto date security updates! Don’t store anything that can be used by information thefts on your system. Lastly, Web standards have moved on, as such many web sites won’t work properly with the older web browser you are using. (HTML4 Vs HTML5) Here’s a primer on them Web Standards: The What, The Why, And The How
Hopefully you have solved it by now, but I just found myself in a similar situation: I have two iMacG4 20”, both with Airport Extreme cards installed, both running OS X Tiger. One of them can access the internet through my router, the other one cannot. Still early days in trying to trouble shoot, but when I have solved it I will post the solution here. (And as it is evidently 100% possible to get out on the internet with this hardware/software setup, I will not come with suggestions to upgrade software/hardware :-)
