I agree, use the official python http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.5.2/python-2.5.2-macosx.dmg
I'm also using OS X 10.4.11 and I have no problem for installing numpy http://www.scipy.org/Installing_SciPy/Mac_OS_X or you can download Pre-built binaries from http://pythonmac.org/packages/py25-fat/index.html or http://trichech.us/?page_id=5 -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
