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Power cables are probably still useful. At least here in Western Europe the power cables I used in the 80s are still perfectly fine today. Better even, since copper was cheaper they often have more than modern cables (which shouldn't matter if they are within spec, but still).
Those old centronics cables on the other hand, maybe it's time for them to go.
It depends. I remember (late 90s story). The company I was working with had just moved and we were short on power cables (they were probably still in a box somewhere). So I went out to grab a couple.
Luckily, at the time there were still hardware stores to be found. So I were in the first one:
"Hello, I need two power cables."
"Sure, what models are they for?"
"Sorry? Just power cables, grounded power cables, like those (points helpfully at generic 1.5m cables just hanging there)."
"But what model?"
"No model, just regular PC workstations."
"Oooh, but those are Mac cables!"
"... Ah, never mind, I'll risk it, just give me two."
Sometimes you think they're just cables, but they're actually Mac cables. And then who knows what can happen?
Just hit em with the old "CEE 7/7 on one end and
C14C13 on the other end please". If their eyes glaze over, do the Ron Swanson and get the right one yourself.If their eyes glaze over, do the Ron Swanson and get the right one yourself.
I was at a computer hardware store once (back when those existed) and asked for something specific. The kid working there insisted they don't exist. I told him that I'm confident they do exist because I own one. He went on rambling about how smart and knowledgeable he was, and how he's certain they don't exist. While he was talking I noticed there was one sitting on the shelf right behind him. I grabbed it and said "well, for not existing you guys certainly have a good supply of them!". Then I told his boss that his employees should not tell customers that things don't exist, just because they've never heard of them. What kind of idiot does that?
CEE 7/7 to C13
C13 is the plug/connector. C14 is the receptacle/appliance inlet.
Ah yes, totally correct.
Those old centronics cables on the other hand, maybe it’s time for them to go.
Yep, I bought a Centronics cable maybe 30 years ago for $100, for a parallel printer. I kept the printer maybe 10 years, then moved to a laser/ethernet at the time. But I kept this damn cable 20 years more in case of!!!! It's now in a thrift store bin for $1 I guess.
Better even, since copper was cheaper they often have more than modern cables (which shouldn't matter if they are within spec, but still).
It matters to tweakers!