Win7 system image backup advanced format compatibility

If the laptop is new it should have USB3. Depending on model it might or might not have USB2 ports. The USB3 ports have a blue plastic bit inside , USB2 have black or white.

What is this obsession with 512e?

I have used several imaging programs on mine without any issue. I haven't come across one yet that has a problem with it.

does it matter if the partitions on the laptop are not aligned on 4K boundaries?

Quite probable. If you are using Windows any version post Vista will ensure correct formatting so this issue is unlikely to occur. If you format the disk using some linux flavor find a tutorial that explains how to correctly use fdisk (I'm not a linux user so I don't have any I can recommend)
Stuff I have learned the hard way:
-keep several backups. You have to move the one folder and two files inside a new folder named "Clean install" or "before SP install" or "6montly backup" or Windows backup will delete the old backups. Before you use the backup extract the files and folder for the one backup you want to use to the root of the drive.
-do not defragment a drive or partitions that contains backups, it's the most reliable method I know to corrupt a backup file. If you want them in one piece move them out and copy them back again
-if you only want to restore one partition have a recent, working backup of the rest of the disk. Deleting all partitions during the restore operation is a very common accident.
HERE is a pretty good tutorial on how to restore a backup, in particular make sure you are familiar with the comments in point 7 and below (keep a copy of the tutorial in printed format....)

SIW2 said:

What is this obsession with 512e?

Merriam-Webster
OBSESSION
a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

I'm going to assume you just picked the wrong word and didn't intend to be harsh and insulting.

cyanna said:

tenacre said:

does it matter if the partitions on the laptop are not aligned on 4K boundaries?

Quite probable.

OK, so... what other factors, that I don't yet know about, should I be aware of?

If you format the disk using some linux flavor find a tutorial that explains how to correctly use fdisk

I have several Linux live CD's. I know how to examine and modify partitions in Linux. In fact, the next item on my to-do list for this machine is to boot Linux and confirm that the factory-installed partitions are indeed aligned on 4K boundaries. (If there's a way to see this info in Windows, I don't know how).

(I'm not a linux user so I don't have any I can recommend)

I use and recommend DebianDog, PuppyPrecise, and LucidPuppy live CDs.

Stuff I have learned the hard way:
-keep several backups. You have to move the one folder and two files inside a new folder named "Clean install" or "before SP install" or "6montly backup" or Windows backup will delete the old backups.

Yikes. Thanks for the heads-up. What are these "2 files" you have mentioned a couple of times now?

If you want them in one piece move them out and copy them back again

Did you mean to say "move them out and move them back again?

if you only want to restore one partition have a recent, working backup of the rest of the disk. Deleting all partitions during the restore operation is a very common accident

Can you describe the specific user error/misunderstanding that leads to this accident?

The Macrium fiasco I mentioned in an earlier post was like this: I had a disk with a system partition and a data partition. I had an image of the system partition. I wanted to restore the system image to the system partition and leave the data partition alone. I proceeded with great care, reading the fine print of every dialog screen. Macrium erased the data partition, without ever presenting a warning that it was going to do so. This was about 3 years ago, so they may have fixed it by now.

Yikes. Thanks for the heads-up. What are these "2 files" you have mentioned a couple of times now?

The backup creates a Windows Image Backup folder, a second folder that has a different icon and has the name you gave the backup when you created it and a file called MediaID.bin. These three elements have to be kept together for each backup and have to be at the root of the drive from which you want to restore.

Did you mean to say "move them out and move them back again?

Yeah, sorry, I am paranoid about my backups so I move them to an online storage and then copy them back again because I leave a copy online.

Can you describe the specific user error/misunderstanding that leads to this accident?

Did you read the tutorial I linked to? Miss or misinterpret any of the tick boxes in step 7, 8 and /or 9 (depending on what you want to do) and you are in for a surprise at next reboot

Sorry, been a bit busy: A backup that contains a system image will create 3 things: a normal folder named Windows Backup, a special folder that has your computer name and a different icon that the usual folders and a Media.bin file
If you have not ticked the box to create a system image "All files in known system folders (folders that contain files that Windows needs to run), and known program files (files that define themselves as part of a program in the registry when the program is installed) will not be backed up even if they are in a selected folder."