Dell Precision T3600 Statement of Volatility
Summary
This Statement of Volatility for Dell Precision Workstation T3600 documents the volatile and non-volatile memory components present in the system. The manual details BIOS configuration storage in flash ICs, embedded controller memory specifications, PCH CMOS battery-backed memory, and other system components. It explains data retention characteristics when power is removed and identifies which components store user data versus system configuration. Target users are security professionals, IT administrators, and compliance officers responsible for data sanitization and hardware security procedures.
Page 1 Text Content
Dell Inc. One Dell Way Round Rock, Texas 78682 www.dell.com
November 23, 2011
Subject: Statement of Volatility – Dell Precision Workstation T3600
Gentlemen:
The Dell Precision Workstation T3600 contains both volatile and non-volatile (NV) components. Volatile components lose their data immediately upon removal of power from the component. Non-volatile components continue to retain their data even after the power has been removed from the component.
The following memory components are present in the T3600:
BIOS Configuration The BIOS information is stored in two flash ICs, one 8 MByte and one 4 MByte. These devices are identified as U_BIOS1 and U_BIOS2 on the motherboard. These parts contain the boot code and data necessary to take the hardware from a power- off or low-power state to a state where it is ready to be managed by the operating system. No information pertaining to user applications or data is stored in these devices, however, they do store administrator and/or hard drive encryption passwords if those features are enabled by the user.
Embedded Controller The Embedded Controller contains 256 k Byte of non-volatile storage space and is identified as U_EC1 on the motherboard. The EC contains the software necessary to manage low-level control functions on the motherboard such as thermal control. No information pertaining to user applications or data is stored in the U_EC1 device.
The embedded controller also contains 8.25 k Bytes of volatile memory space. The contents of this memory space are lost when power is removed from the system.
PCH CMOS The PCH, identified as U_PCH, contains a 256 Byte battery-backed memory. This memory contains custom configuration data required by the BIOS to boot the system. It does not store passwords or other user level data. The contents of this space are lost, after several minutes, if the coin-cell battery is removed from the motherboard.
TPM 1.2 (Trusted Platform Module) Security Device This device (identified as U_TPM) stores TPM configuration data used by the hardware and the security software offered by Dell. Encrypted user keys generated by the TPM device for use by the security software are stored in this NVM.
All other components on the motherboard will lose data once power is removed from the system. Primary power loss (unplug the power cord) will destroy all user data in the main system memory (DDR3 DIMMs) and the on-board graphics and storage interface devices. However, the user should note that under some circumstances (for example, cold
Page Summary Contents For Dell Precision T3600 Statement of Volatility
Manual Details
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Pages | 3 |
| File Size | 95.59 KB |
| Published | June 29, 2026 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What components lose their data immediately when power is removed?
Any component on the motherboard, such as main system memory (DDR3 DIMMs) and the on-board graphics, will lose user data upon primary power loss.
Where is an administrator's or encryption password stored on the T3600?
Administrator and hard drive encryption passwords are stored in the BIOS flash ICs (U_BIOS1 and U_BIOS2) if those features are enabled by the user.
How does data retention work during system power states?
S3 ('suspend to RAM') maintains dynamic RAM, while S4 ('hibernate' mode) writes system context to non-volatile storage without power.