So, question the first: Officially, one cannot use the HDLoader to copy a backup to the HD on the PS2. Is this still true of the cracked version, memory card version, or free version?

Secondly, could one not make a program to access PS2 formatted drives connected to a PC? Then you could use your PC to load up the drive (which would probably wind up being faster anyway) even using backups, then transfer the drive to the PS2.

"So, question the first: Officially, one cannot use the HDLoader to copy a backup to the HD on the PS2. Is this still true of the cracked version, memory card version, or free version?"

?? Who said you can't. Any version will do this (official, cracked, mem card) Of course to copy a backup to HD you need either a modchip, or SM, or some method of allowing the PS2 to read the backup.

"Secondly, could one not make a program to access PS2 formatted drives connected to a PC? Then you could use your PC to load up the drive (which would probably wind up being faster anyway) even using backups, then transfer the drive to the PS2."

As of now the PC wont recognize a PS2 formatted HD, so no. But some are working on direct transfer methods from PC to PS2.