Couple of questions...

[-Forum-]

Hey guys, as you can see I'm new to these boards and I'm posting because I've got a few questions on creating backup copies of games that I didn't see answered in the newbie guide.

Firstly, if I were to get my Ps2 modded I wouldn't sodder the chip on by myself as I know I would screw it up (I've heard horror stories from a friend who bought a Ps2 from Walmart, messed up the sodder, returned the Ps2 and repeated the screwing up returning 3 times).

Playing backup copies

1. At this point, the main thing I play on my Ps2 is SOCOM II and I play it online. If I were to Mod my Ps2 with a chip, would DNAS or another server side program detect it, and if so would there be any way for me to "hide" the chip?

2. Right now I've got a DvD and a CD burner, as well as a Ps2 (duh) and could get a hold of any burner program that you guys recomend and blank media would be easily gotten as well. Aside from the chip is there anything I would possibly need inorder to play/make backup copies.

3. I've come to the conclusion from what I've read that I will need to update my software on my chip... If I am right about that, how often would I need to update it and what would that intale?

HD Loader

1. If I were to install the HDD Loader onto my HDD that I have for my Ps2 already, would backing up games on the hard drive eliminate my ability to put downloadable content on that hard drive?

2. If I were to load a game onto the hard drive, would I need the game disc to do anything other than installing the game on the hard drive? So say if I were "backing up" a game for a friend on my hard drive, would I only need the disc to instal it or would I need it to play the game as well?

Thank you for your answers ahead of time!