Electrum ( watching only wallet ) with balance. Can i move the coins out

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

Quote from: cammymack on February 07, 2017, 07:59:45 AM

Defcon is correct with this matter.

I would like to thank him and ThomasV for their time and help confirming and explaining my issue.
Much appreciated

Thank you a lot for these kind words sir !

i really apreciate .

anyway, you're really welcome , anytime .

also, i'm glad you now got a fully working electrum wallet.

Best regards

cammymack

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

Defcon is correct with this matter.

I would like to thank him and ThomasV for their time and help confirming and explaining my issue.
Much appreciated

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

Quote from: ThomasV on February 04, 2017, 04:04:09 AM

Quote

problem in this specific case is: user on his first install , make the error to dont write down the seed securely , and he have unfortunaly created a watch only wallet , with 2FA ..

That does not make sense: 2FA wallets are not watching-only.

Does the OP remember how he created the watching only wallet?
Usually you have to enter a master public key (xpub) in order to do that.
Where did he get the xpub from?

if the xpub is one of the cosigners of a 2fa wallet, then it should be possible to retrieve the funds from the 2fa seed.
if the xpub comes from another seed, that he forgot to write down, then the funds are lost. but in that case, why would he delete the wallet file?

in fact, OP was not even sure what sort wallet he got at the origin. we had deduced it should be a 2Fa wallet cause the private key length ( 25 words)

Anyway, this private key had noted from his original install, have restored a wallet, but this wallet doesn't contain any transactions at all ... )

( or, another possibility, he did not writed it down at origin..)

ThomasV

legendary

Activity: 1896

Merit: 1353

Quote

problem in this specific case is: user on his first install , make the error to dont write down the seed securely , and he have unfortunaly created a watch only wallet , with 2FA ..

That does not make sense: 2FA wallets are not watching-only.

Does the OP remember how he created the watching only wallet?
Usually you have to enter a master public key (xpub) in order to do that.
Where did he get the xpub from?

if the xpub is one of the cosigners of a 2fa wallet, then it should be possible to retrieve the funds from the 2fa seed.
if the xpub comes from another seed, that he forgot to write down, then the funds are lost. but in that case, why would he delete the wallet file?

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

Quote from: Coin-Keeper on February 03, 2017, 04:25:46 PM

I don't what else Thomas can do to make Electrum any safer. I mean really guys, when you open a "watch only" wallet a HUGE flag screen pops up warning you its a watch only!! You literally have to click through and ignore the warning to succeed in doing what this thread describes. The Electrum "watching only" wallet is a great tool for folks using cold wallets to protect their BTC.

100% agree mate.. that's exactly the same conclusion we had reached in the end .. ( and same explaination i had gived to OP )

Coin-Keeper

hero member

Activity: 761

Merit: 606

I don't know what else Thomas can do to make Electrum any safer. I mean really guys, when you open a "watch only" wallet a HUGE flag screen pops up warning you its a watch only!! You literally have to click through and ignore the warning to succeed in doing what this thread describes. The Electrum "watching only" wallet is a great tool for folks using cold wallets to protect their BTC. Appears another couple of BTC are now hopelessly lost in the blockchain.

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

Quote from: Abdussamad on February 03, 2017, 06:38:16 AM

I recommend updating electrum first. Download the newest version from electrum.org and install it.

You don't have to delete any files at all. Use file menu > new/restore to begin the process of creating a new wallet. To restore from seed first select "standard wallet type", click next and then on the next window "i already have a seed". After that you enter a seed and a password if you like.

Use file > open to open that wallet in future.

problem in this specific case is: user on his first install , make the error to dont write down the seed securely , and he have unfortunaly created a watch only wallet , with 2FA ..

when he see he cant send anything from it ( indeed as it was "watch only" ) he try to reinstall an another one ( he keep the key this time ) , but once again choosed "watch only" and it was NOT the good seed , wich was obtained on his first install ( indeed )

so: this is definitively dead .

checked and rechecked with ThomasV.

point final. ( unfortunaly)

Abdussamad

legendary

Activity: 3710

Merit: 1586

I recommend updating electrum first. Download the newest version from electrum.org and install it.

You don't have to delete any files at all. Use file menu > new/restore to begin the process of creating a new wallet. To restore from seed first select "standard wallet type", click next and then on the next window "i already have a seed". After that you enter a seed and a password if you like.

Use file > open to open that wallet in future.

equator

legendary

Activity: 1190

Merit: 1002

Quote from: cammymack on February 03, 2017, 04:44:34 AM

Beginning to think i have the wrong electrum version or something there is no ' i already have a seed'

And there is no ' reinstall wallet ' just ' create a new wallet or ' restore wallet.

I am using Electrum Desktop windows wallet, and their is no problem of if you are using old version seed key on new version their wont be problem to restore it, What above steps told is correct to restore the wallet, even if you delete the full wallet folder also no problem until you have the seed key with you, the main is passphrase key for restoring the old wallet.

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

Quote from: cammymack on February 03, 2017, 04:44:34 AM

Beginning to think i have the wrong electrum version or something there is no ' i already have a seed'

And there is no ' reinstall wallet ' just ' create a new wallet or ' restore wallet.

it seem we shoudnt have same version of electrum : i use Version 2.7.10 , under linux... anyway :

"restore a wallet"

ps: it would be better to ask me in pm , as you have a lot of question ... no need to spam the thread.

cammymack

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

Beginning to think i have the wrong electrum version or something there is no ' i already have a seed'

And there is no ' reinstall wallet ' just ' create a new wallet or ' restore wallet.

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

1: delete all your electrum files and folders (even hiddens folders ) : ALL
2: reinstall a new electrum wallet
3: choose "standart wallet"
4:choose : i already have a seed"
5: enter your old seed ( from your old electrum)
6: choose a password / repeat it
7: your coins are now back

folllow all these steps , it's easy , i assure you mate..

cammymack

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

Listen man i really appreciate your help but i am clearly a noob. I have a lot of btc in there and will give you a donation happily:)

I deleted my wallet files and not electrum is this an incorrect step?

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

pwewwww.... man : read explainations just above: do that , step by step , and your old balanace will appear in you freshly reinstalled electrum wallet. all have been already said .

cammymack

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

If i deleted my wallet files am i screwed?
Did you mean delete electrum itself?
As i restored and there is no balance

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

Quote from: cammymack on February 03, 2017, 04:07:39 AM

And I can then move them out?

Ok I open electrum.

It tells me it could not find an existing wallet.

What do i select now,create a new wallet or restore wallet/import keys.

And then which wallet kind?

man : it was answered one post above...

create a new wallet
then : i have an existing seed.....

put your old seed ;

choose a password : done.

cammymack

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

And I can then move them out?

Ok I open electrum.

It tells me it could not find an existing wallet.

What do i select now,create a new wallet or restore wallet/import keys.

And then which wallet kind?

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

Quote from: cammymack on February 03, 2017, 03:53:36 AM

Thanks for your help so that creates a new wallet where I can move coins in and out and the coins I currently have are lost basically?

no: they will be restored , after receating your wallet from the seed : you wont lost anything

1: be sure you got the seed of old wallet
2: remove all your electrum files
3: reinstall a new wallet ( still electrum) from your old seed
4: done ! your coins are back

ps: during new install, take care to choose normal wallet , not "watch only ! "

cammymack

newbie

Activity: 14

Merit: 0

Thanks for your help so that creates a new wallet where I can move coins in and out and the coins I currently have are lost basically?

defcon23

legendary

Activity: 1120

Merit: 1002

if you have installed a "watching only wallet " : you cant.
first, delete all your electrum files. then :
you have to reinstall your wallet from your seed, and choose resore a wallet from the seed , not "watch only"

Kind regards

Topic: Electrum ( watching only wallet ) with balance. Can i move the coins out (Read 1726 times)