More CPT8520 updates. I remembered a former CPT staffer explaining the boot process to me, and why the red 'parity' light on the CPU board would come on. Basically the data coming from the 'floppy' was bad, but the Gotek made the right moves.

Hooked up a real drive and watched that with a scratch disk in. It did the same - seeking the head in and out several times. Then I remembered that 1.2MB 5.25" drives can sometimes replace 8" so I did that too. Same result.

It's trying!