I was sold a clone !
 

http://www.modchip.ca/install/ps2/magic/magicfakes.php

My Magic 3 chip, which I have been having trouble with, is green and has the Ubicom logo on it. Grrrr

Could this be the source of all my trouble ? I contacted the seller, and I'm waiting for a response.

That could very well be the problem you've been having....

This is the reason, myself and many others always rec. buying from Charlie_PS2 or Dust2Dust...... With them, you KNOW you're getting THE REAL DEAL......:)

Keep us posted on how everything turns out....