Just got a PS2!!!!! But now i've got some questions about backups/dvd-roms/and modchips! (please

Ok i just bought a Playstation 2 and now i have a few questions. First off do you NEED a modchip or is there a boot disk or something? I have been to modchip.com and as far as it tells me i do need a mod chip to play ps2/ps1 backups. But now i'm confused... I have the schp 3001 (or something) and it tells me that all exists is a "beta" chip and you need a boot disk!!! This is absolutly ridiculous, I dont want to pay 61 bucks for a beta chip even if i later get the final version!!! So that is my first question (please continue reading). Second is it possible to make playstation 2 backups (straight from the original cd)? I know there are two types of ps2 game formats, dvd-roms and regular cd-roms, so i can take a guess that it is not possible to directly copy the dvd ones (you have to download them) but it is possible to directly copy the cd-rom ones. Please comfirm this. Third if i do get the mod-chip installed it will only increase the capabiliteies right? (meaning will i still be able to use everything it does now,dvd player, original ps2/ps1 game player plus cd-r game playing capabilities or will i not be able to do one of those like play dvd movies). And finnally where can i find more information on these modchips? All i know of is www.modchip.com and they just sell the beta version for my version of ps2. Please give me any more info on this possible.

Thanx alot for reading all that and feel free to email me answers (if youd rather do that then post a reply here)

Thanx Again!