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Topic: How do I import old wallet data file to new wallet on new laptop? (Read 865 times)

hero member
Activity: 504
Merit: 500
Hi guys,  

I have recently bought a new laptop and I have downloaded the Bitcoin wallet but cannot seem to figure out how to import the wallet data file to the new empty wallet on my new laptop.

I have tried moving the file into the data roaming file part of the Bitcoinqt and rescanning but still it says 0.00 btc. (I definitely have more than that!!)

Yes I admit I am no expert but I like to think I am not this stupid!! What am I doing wrong?


Thanks in advance.

Russell

How old is the wallet.dat file you're trying to move to the new computer?

Here's an example (anyone else, please correct me if I'm wrong):

You have 1 bitcoin on your old computer, you save the wallet.dat file. You pay someone .1, so you have .9 btc left. When you move the old wallet.dat file to a new computer, you may notice you don't have any bitcoins anymore.

The reason is this (if I'm correctly understanding what I've read), when you send money, you send all of it. In the example: .1 btc to someone else, and .9 btc back to yourself (to a change address). Your wallet looks like you have the money on your old computer (because it sees your change addresses).

But you need to backup that wallet again and move the newly backed up wallet.dat to the new computer.
legendary
Activity: 1358
Merit: 1016
Thanks! I'll try this later on!
legendary
Activity: 1288
Merit: 1012
I hope I haven't spent them! Unless Karpeles has broken in to my house and stolen my usb and knows my encryption key then I still have them.

Thanks guys
Are you able to see the Bitcoin balance on your other device?
Try dumping your private keys and then import to your new wallet on your laptop. https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_import_private_keys
legendary
Activity: 1358
Merit: 1016
I hope I haven't spent them! Unless Karpeles has broken in to my house and stolen my usb and knows my encryption key then I still have them.

Thanks guys
legendary
Activity: 3248
Merit: 1070
I have put the dat file on the new laptop and in the Bitcoin Apodata roaming file where the wallet dat file is located but as I said before it only shows 0.00.

Is there a link anyone can post on here? A step by step guide for an idiot like me?


Thanks.

maybe you have spent those bitcoin, did you remember that?, there are transaction at least in the new wallet? they should be marked in red

anyway you need to put it in roaming under the bitcoin folder, overwrite/or remove the previous wallet.dat
legendary
Activity: 1358
Merit: 1016
I have put the dat file on the new laptop and in the Bitcoin Apodata roaming file where the wallet dat file is located but as I said before it only shows 0.00.

Is there a link anyone can post on here? A step by step guide for an idiot like me?


Thanks.
hero member
Activity: 672
Merit: 500
You need to copy the wallet.dat file to your new computer. That file have all your private keys and addresses inside. Keep that safe.
legendary
Activity: 1344
Merit: 1024
Mine at Jonny's Pool
You could always send the balance of the old into a new address in the wallet on the new laptop.  Otherwise you'd use the dumpprivkey and importprivkey commands.
legendary
Activity: 1358
Merit: 1016
Hi guys,  

I have recently bought a new laptop and I have downloaded the Bitcoin wallet but cannot seem to figure out how to import the wallet data file to the new empty wallet on my new laptop.

I have tried moving the file into the data roaming file part of the Bitcoinqt and rescanning but still it says 0.00 btc. (I definitely have more than that!!)

Yes I admit I am no expert but I like to think I am not this stupid!! What am I doing wrong?


Thanks in advance.

Russell
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