copying query

[urekismet]

I'm having trouble copying the PAL version of prince of persia two thrones I bought for my 12 yo son. As he is autistic sometimes the disks don't last too long so I had his PS2 (a V4) modded with a messiah 2 a few years ago. I buy the disk then make backups which he uses, then if it gets damaged it's simple to make him another.

Anyway copying has been getting harder some of this is undoubtedly due to laser burnout but I'm not sure if this problem is.

The first copy I made using DVD decrypter read on a Pioneer 106 and burnt on a no name dl at 4x just couldn't be read by the console. Next time I used alcohol (1.9.5 build 3105) and copied on and burnt on the d/l at 2x (2 thrones is a s/l disk) could be read but just stayed on reading disk and wouldn't try and load it.
I thought I may have a media problem so chucked the no name disks to one side and tried an imation dvd-r which has helped with a similar problem on the more recent sonic PS2 games. I read on alcohol and burned on dvd decrypter. This time the disk got as far as the loading screen and then hung there.

My queries are
1/ Is PoP3 copyable?

2/ can you suggest the best utility and or media for reading/writing?

3/ Alcohol 120 has about a zillion different settings what are the recommended settings for PS2 copy?

4/ Should I just keep it simple and do a straight DVD copy using nero onto a decent disk at low speed?

I appreciate there's a fair chance that you are going to tell me to replace the console which I would like to avoid if possible since we're living a long way from anywhere or anyone that could mod a console and I'm kinda hoping that this one is going to hang in until PS3 release where copying is probably not going to be an option.

Thanks for your time on this.