Yes, WIPERAPP can wipe partially functional drives as long as they are detected by the system. However, if the drive has bad sectors or other forms of damage, the wiping process may take significantly longer, and the estimated time on the progress bar may increase continuously.
If an operator notices excessive time delays, WIPERAPP recommends stopping the process and physically destroying the drive (physical sanitization), as such drives are typically not suitable for reuse.
Additionally, after completing the wiping process, it is advised to check the drive’s SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) status again. In some cases, SMART may show an increased number of defects after wiping, indicating potential future failures. Even if only one bad sector is detected, there is a risk that it could spread over time.
However, if the wiping process completes successfully—even if it takes hours—the data is fully and permanently erased.