Some cheats will only work on the PAL version of the game due to slight coding changes made to it- that is the case with the Ecco cheats. They were verified by the person that sent them in on the PAL version of the game.
As for the Spyro cheats, it's entirely possible they just removed the confirmation sound Here are two to try 9these may be the same that are in your book but it's all we can find):
Triangle, Triangle, Square, Circle, Square, Circle, Triangle, R1, L1, L2, L2, Triangle, R2 when the game is paused for infinite health.
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, L1, R1, L1, R1 when the game is paused for infinite magic.