Ps2 booting question

[Arakon]

first of all, a neo 2.2 install for 50 euro (assuming the AR2 costs around 40) is a ripoff.
second, a neo 2.2 will NOT turn the power light orange. sounds more like you might've gotten a no solder chip or some other crap.
usually it should suffice to boot the AR2, select without codes, eject the CD, put in the cdr, and press X.