HD20 Woes - Error Code 28000000

[Zhinü]

I recently got an HD20 from a friend, along with a "CoolMac" and a Kensington Turbo Mouse. However, trying to test the HD20 resulted in it constantly trying to connect, failing to connect, asking to format, failing to format, then asking again to connect. The cable is somewhat frayed on the floppy port side, but I pressed on. I got the "Nisha Diag" thing loaded, and I got this error code:
Would anyone know what this error means?
"Waiting on BSY lo->hi, timeout error"

 

[Byrd]

Can’t find the drive - Id be checking continuity of the cable if damage is apparent

 

[Zhinü]

Can’t find the drive - Id be checking continuity of the cable if damage is apparent

I can hear it doing the self-test every time, but I'll check the cable. The rubber is separated from the connector shielding on the cable, so I assume maybe a wire snapped inside as well.

 

[Zhinü]

I went and replaced the cable with a normal floppy cable and plug adapter. No dice, unfortunately, still gave the same 2800000 error. The cable that connects the drive to the board looks 100% fine, so I doubt it's that. I also went and used contact cleaner on all of the plugs. Any clue on where to go next?

 

[olePigeon]

Is it just the stepper motor moving? Or is the drive actually spinning up? I have an old MFM drive that, unfortunately, has stiction. When it first turns on, the stepper motor goes through its motions, but the platters aren't spinning. I have to take it apart and physically nudge the platters. It'll work for so long as it's powered on, but will stop working again if left off for a significant amount of time.

 

[Zhinü]

Is it just the stepper motor moving? Or is the drive actually spinning up? I have an old MFM drive that, unfortunately, has stiction. When it first turns on, the stepper motor goes through its motions, but the platters aren't spinning. I have to take it apart and physically nudge the platters. It'll work for so long as it's powered on, but will stop working again if left off for a significant amount of time.

I've taken it apart, yes, the plates are moving. Here it is going through a self-test before the error. After the cut it the heads stay there till the drive is turned off and on again.

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