Any installers in So. California
 

I know there are mostly people from the UK on these boards, but I'm hoping somebody out there is from the US. If so, do you know of any good mod installers in Southern California?

It seems that Charlie and Dust are trusted around here. Would you guys be able to help me out even though I am over in the US?

Try the Following site:
http://www.ps24u.tripod.com/index2.html

This Dude is in CA..That's where I got 2 machines soldered..
Very Cool Guy! Got the machines back within a week..

I never heard of that NovaChip he is offering. Is it any good? I only want to play import PS2/1 games and PS1 backups, but I don't want it to ruin the laser like a Neo chip.

Nova Chip is clone of Origa Chip..
Origa functions are Direct Boot of import original Ps2 games..
Still require swapping with GS Disc for Ps2 backups..Not PS1(Direct Boot).
Also I DO NOT recommand try soldering it yourself..Origa/Nova can be Medium to Difficult depending on your Soldering Level..
Although Origa and Neo 4 combined will Direct Boot everything(I heard it does) but Why would you get 2 different chips if you could get the one Messiah which does all..

The messiah is just a bit to pricey for me right now and I don't really plan on making PS2 backups anyway. I just want to make sure I have a chip that will play my PS1 backups and imports without swaps and without ruining the system.
I don't plan to install it myself though. There is no way I could do it on my own.

Well you could always get a Neo 2.5 X key..It's about $25.00 bucks..It plays PS2 CDR and DVDR Games...
Also it plays PS1 CDR and imports..
Installing doesn't cost much..
But if you insist get the Nova or Origa chip..

Forgot to mention that you need GS disc 1.93 or 2.01 I believe for PS2 CDR and DVDR games on Neo 2.5 by the way..