Topic: Say I want to put 100 coins into a usb... - page 2. (Read 3767 times)

Yes, but you would then have destroyed any addresses that were in the first wallet.dat file you overwrote.  If you don't care, then yes, that would work.


In theory, you'd want to make a TrueCrypt drive on the USB stick and put the wallet.dat file into that.  Otherwise, anyone who has physical possession of the USB Key would have the ability to access the coins.  However, that may be your intent (for instance in the case of inheritance of Bitcoins to pass down to your children).  Otherwise, you don't need to protect it in any way.  However, you also have to hope that in 100 years we still have USB ports you can use.  Tried using a 5 1/4" floppy disk recently?  Or even a 3.5" floppy?

You may be better suited to write your wallet.dat file in QR Code to a piece of paper and store it in the vault, possibly with a copy of the QR Reading program source. 


Assuming you already have the Bitcoin program loaded:
1)  Backup the current wallet.dat (Wallet 1) file.
2)  Delete the wallet.dat file from the disk.
3)  Open Bitcoin (it will create a new wallet.dat)
4)  Note the address created automatically
5)  For kicks, let it run until it has the full block chain
6)  Close Bitcoin
7)  Backup this wallet.dat (Wallet 2)
  Delete wallet.dat from the disk
9)  Restore Wallet 1 back to your disk
10)  Open Bitcoin, let it update the block chain.
11)  Send 100 coins from one of your standard addresses to the address in Step 4
12)  Wait for it to be confirmed
13)  Close Bitcoin
14)  Re-backup Wallet 1
15)  Delete Wallet 1 from disk
16)  Restore Wallet 2 (technically these steps are optional, as the blockchain will have the transaction, but you probably want to see your balance)
17)  Open Bitcoin and let it update the block chain.  You should now see 100 coins as your balance
18)  Close Bitcoin
19)  Backup Wallet 2 to your USB Stick (or write it via QR Code, or whatever you want to do)
20)  Delete Wallet 2 from your disk
21)  Restore Wallet 1
22)  Run Bitcoin, you'll see your balance is updated to -100 coins. 

You now have a 100 coin wallet.dat file backed up and off the network.  You can also verify all of your transactions in the block chain using Block Explorer:  http://blockexplorer.com/

and I want to put that usb into a vault or something to be reopened in the future.
I am a nub when it comes to the wallet.dat file. Im not sure, even after reading a lot of posts, about how it works.
If i were to save my wallet.dat file into a USB, then delete/uninstall the bitcoin client from my computer and then 10 years from now, drag and drop that wallet.dat file into a new bitcoin client(to replace the current wallet.dat file which has 0 coins), will it load up my 100 coins normally?

also would I need to protect the wallet.dat file in the USB? i dont think i would need to, since no one is gonna use that USB if i put it into a bank vault or something right?

I feel like im missing something important here about the wallet file that i am failing to understand.

a step by step guide would be most appreciated.

especially about the protection, i dont see why anyone would need it if they just save the wallet file into a usb and lock up that usb somewhere

also, i would use TWO USBs not one, incase one of the files get corrupted. both USB would have the same wallet.dat file

yes this would be a savings account, not checkings