Question about N64 cartridge dumping with GameShark

Hi, after reading around a bit, I decided to try dumping an N64 cartridge with my GameShark.

After ordering some cables and a second GameShark, I tried dumping my Pilotwings 64 NTSC cartridge. Numerous tries later, I finally got a complete dump from the GSCCC software using a parallel cable w/gender changer.

In case anyone else tries this, the 8* on the GameShark isn't necessarily a fatal error code- in my case, it was because of bad or no contact between the GameShark and the game cartridge. I had to have the game cartridge about 3/4 of the way down on the GameShark for it to work properly.

I was trying to experiment with USB adapter to parallel adapters, and the USB to serial w/parallel adapter just isn't picked up (it shows up as a virtual COM port, and there doesn't seem to be a way to get the GSCCC software to recognize the adapter.

When I tried with a parallel to USB adapter, something strange happened: the power LEDs on the GameShark and the N64 both lit up, as if the system was turned on, even though the N64 was turned off. I did not turn on the N64 to see what would happen, because I'm pretty sure the extra power would not be good, and I only have one N64 around.
The parallel to USB adapter says it is bus-powered, which would explain the power I believe, so my question is:
Can I safely cut the power wire inside the adapter cable, and hopefully have an unpowered parallel to USB cable then?

 

Well you could, but as far as I know there isn't any software written that is compatible with a USB->parallel adapter. In part that could be because there's usually packet limits applied when going through a driver versus effectively unrestricted access via parallel port. At best you'd have the same annoying situation as when using win2k and up: random halts, etc.

That said, just because nobody's managed to do it yet doesn't mean it can't be done. It would be great if somebody had a solution, since, well, modern computers don't even have those ports anymore.

 

So, as probably everyone else knew, simply cutting the power wire inside the USB to parallel adapter just leaves you with a non-functioning adapter.
I did however make some good progress dumping cartridges with a GameShark.