[lufcfan]

First off, welcome but one thing - Don't talk about downloading software - it's against forum rules!
Anyway, no there is absolutely NO SAFE WAY to play backups. There is something called the knife swap trick but this will F*** you're system up in a matter of tries - not worth it and i am NOT going to tell you how to do this because I don't want to be the one f-ing your system up. Get a modchip. They are NOT expensive and they are SAFE providing you get a good one - one from the Messiah Series is best - contact Charlie or Dust2Dust about this one. These also require no swapping so you do not need your Action Replay 2.2. With other chips you may have to use this which can be a pain but with a Messiah, you just put in your backup and play - It couldn't be simpler!
If you want to back your own games up you will need a minimum of a DVD-ROM drive and a good CD Re-writer. You will then need to rip the games to CD-R (this really isn't simple and it isn't worth the hassle as you have to take all the good cutscenes out of the games). The ultimate toy is a DVD Re-Writer like the Sony DRU-500 or a Pioneer A04/A05. These let you put in an original and do a straight copy - easy and you get to keep the WHOLE GAME! Hope this helps but you DO NEED A MODCHIP - THERE IS NO AND I REPEAT NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE WITHOUT KNACKERING UP YOUR SYSTEM.