Difference between a null modem adapter and a gender changer?

[Nutdotnet]

What is the difference between a null modem adapter and a simple gender changer? Is a null modem adapter a "crossover" of sorts and a gender changer is more or less "straight-thru"? Or are they the same thing?

I bought a db9 m-m gender changer. I am using it to connect a palm handheld (w/ serial hotsync a db9 female connection) to my ODBII tool (car diagnostics) which also has a female db9 connection.

Obviously, the ODBII tool is designed to be used with a PC. So.....any help would be great!

 

[SickBeast]

LOL...gender changer...reminds me of a Jerry Springer episode.

I'm sorry, but I don't have anything constructive to offer this thread...I know next to nothing about null modem connections.

 

[Viper GTS]

A null modem cable (or adapter) is much the same as a crossover cable for CAT5.

http://www.infonewsindia.com/pinout/#7C

Viper GTS

 

[Nutdotnet]

That's what I thought.

Damn, I'm confused.

ODBII Tool to Laptop- All it needs is a serial cable, works fine

OBII Tool to Palm- Tried using a gender changer, no dice. But I know the ODBII Adapter works, I know the Palm software works, I know the hotsync cable works, I know the gender changer works.