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Topic: migrating blockchain to a new computer (Read 771 times)

hero member
Activity: 508
Merit: 500
Techwolf on #bitcoin and Reddit
July 26, 2014, 06:38:18 PM
#6
The only thing you need to copy over to avoid needing to redownload the blockchain is the blocks directory, everything else will be automatically regenerated (except the wallet; if you want to use the same one instead of using a separate one for the other computer, copy wallet.dat as well). If you're moving everything to a different computer and keeping the same wallet, you can copy over everything and it shouldn't need to reindex (saving you ~30min-2hr, depending on your computer). There's no "detatch" command necessary, but Bitcoin-Qt should be closed while you're copying the files.

I've always copied over chainstate... so you're saying you don't need to copy over chainstate on a --reindex?

Correct; the chainstate DB contains data about unspent transaction outputs, and is rebuilt when you run a --reindex (see https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Data_directory#chainstate_subdirectory). I'm not certain if it just applies to the wallet or to the entire blockchain, but judging by its size (and by how full nodes work) I'm guessing the entire blockchain. In that case, my earlier post is incorrect, and you should always copy over the chainstate folder as well to avoid needing to reindex; however, if you don't, it'll just rebuild when you first start the client. Since it doesn't need to download anything and is only using information from the blocks DB, it may take a while depending on your computer but it isn't dependent on network speed.
zvs
legendary
Activity: 1680
Merit: 1000
https://web.archive.org/web/*/nogleg.com
July 26, 2014, 02:58:28 AM
#5
The only thing you need to copy over to avoid needing to redownload the blockchain is the blocks directory, everything else will be automatically regenerated (except the wallet; if you want to use the same one instead of using a separate one for the other computer, copy wallet.dat as well). If you're moving everything to a different computer and keeping the same wallet, you can copy over everything and it shouldn't need to reindex (saving you ~30min-2hr, depending on your computer). There's no "detatch" command necessary, but Bitcoin-Qt should be closed while you're copying the files.

I've always copied over chainstate... so you're saying you don't need to copy over chainstate on a --reindex?
hero member
Activity: 508
Merit: 500
Techwolf on #bitcoin and Reddit
July 26, 2014, 12:53:31 AM
#4
The only thing you need to copy over to avoid needing to redownload the blockchain is the blocks directory, everything else will be automatically regenerated (except the wallet; if you want to use the same one instead of using a separate one for the other computer, copy wallet.dat as well). If you're moving everything to a different computer and keeping the same wallet, you can copy over everything and it shouldn't need to reindex (saving you ~30min-2hr, depending on your computer). There's no "detatch" command necessary, but Bitcoin-Qt should be closed while you're copying the files.
full member
Activity: 196
Merit: 100
July 25, 2014, 09:13:50 PM
#3
thanks for that Smiley

yes it is a little bit old.  i dont like 0.9, the look and feel annoys me for some reason. i ended up uninstalling it after i was done playing around.
i think if i have rpc disabled in 0.8 i should not be vulnerable to some of the latest ssl exploits.
zvs
legendary
Activity: 1680
Merit: 1000
https://web.archive.org/web/*/nogleg.com
July 25, 2014, 09:00:51 PM
#2
copy & paste them all

you should update your bitcoin version though, 0.8.xx is old
full member
Activity: 196
Merit: 100
July 25, 2014, 08:44:31 PM
#1
hi

i need some help with migrating bitcoin-qt files to another desktop i am temporarily using.
i have done it previously with older versions so i dont no if the steps are valid.
i no wallet.dat can be moved across, but i do not no about the blockchain files.

my version of bitcoin-qt is 0.8.x
do i need to do a -detach or anything on the existing pc or can i just install bitcoin-qt on the new desktop then copy and paste %appdata%/bitcoin across ? if so do i copy paste all the files or do i need to leave some out ?

is there a wiki or something i can check ?

thanks!
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