A lot of this information is available in the Ultimate Info Sticky at the top of the page. Look through all this, and you'll be fully versed in PS2. To find your model number, look at the back of the console on the sticker. it will say SCPH-***** and maybe has an R on the end. Type this into somewhere like google and you should find your model number.
If you have a DVD Burner, you dont have to rip games, just do a straight copy using RecordNow 6/DX and you'll be good to go.
Then you just have to get a mod, again, see the sticky I told you to go to at the top.
Best chip for the price is the Duo (V1-8)
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