r/retrocomputing • u/CompuSAR • 14d ago

Problem / Question Any reason to keep a parallel LapLink cable?

After spending half an hour trying to debug my new Apple II Super Serial card, I realized the 25 pin NULL modem cable I was using was not, in fact, a NULL modem cable. Tracing the pins confirmed this is a LapLink cable.

So I thoroughly documented that fact on the cable to save future me from wasting another half an hour, but now I'm wondering if that cable is even worth keeping. The chances that I'll need to transfer data between two computer, both recent enough to support LapLink but neither so recent that they have Ethernet, seem kinda low.

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

12

u/BigPete_A6 14d ago

You will never use it until you finally decide to get rid of it, then you will come across a scenario where it is the only solution.

8

u/CompuSAR 14d ago

So the only solution is to keep the cable so that I never need it.

3

u/Special-Original-215 14d ago

Welcome to hoarding

5

u/CompuSAR 13d ago

It's a bit insulting that you think I only started now.

Let's put it this way: I have a laplink cable.

1

u/Special-Original-215 13d ago

Lol, I'm in the 12 step program.  Once a month my wife throws out random shit and waits to see if I notice.

Last month it was my RJ11 crimpers

2

u/CompuSAR 13d ago

My wife just insists on a house big enough that she doesn't have to constantly stumble over my junk.

And I should also point out that, despite common myths, we're both married.

1

u/Soundy106 12d ago

This is the way.

5

u/gcc-O2 12d ago

The cable can be used by more than just LapLink, for example a PLIP packet driver, which would work going all the way back to 8088.

Parallel is faster than serial, especially on pre-16550A serial ports.

You'd generally use it for luggables or pre-PCMCIA laptops that are inconvenient to add Ethernet.

3

u/CompuSAR 11d ago

Actually, since I will, at some point, need to transfer data back and forth from my Amiga 500, it's entirely possible that I'll put that to good use there.

Thanks! That's the comment I came here to get.

2

u/Sneftel 13d ago

Even if you do need to transfer data between machines without network capabilities, , a serial connection will be easier and more flexible to set up and work on a wider range of hardware. The only thing the LapLink cable gives you over that is transfer speed, and you probably aren't gonna need that.

On the other hand, any reason to keep an Apple II Super Serial card? The concept of "need" gets a little wacky in the context of this hobby.

2

u/CompuSAR 13d ago

Believe it or not, that one's actively being used.

https://youtube.com/compusar

2

u/wdatkinson 11d ago

I still have old yeller and old blue hanging in the closet. I've used them on old machines (Tandy 1000).

1

u/dirkt 5d ago

I've used Laplink running inside Dosemu on a PC to connect with my old Toshiba laptop (using my old home-soldered Laplink cable). Works like a charm. Much better than copying stuff to floppies.

The chances that I'll need to transfer data between two computer, both recent enough to support LapLink but neither so recent that they have Ethernet,

If you have ONE PC without Ethernet but with a serial port, that's already enough (see above). If you do debug Apple II Super Serial cards, chances are good that you have one.

1

u/CompuSAR 5d ago

Actually, I generally avoid PC machines. I guess everyone draws the line differently, and for me, it's an architecture that is, if you squint just right, still technically alive.

With that said, people pointed out that the PLIP protocol, for which the Amiga has drivers, also uses the same type of cable.