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Topic: Traumatic brain injury has left me with multiple seed phrases please help! (Read 1878 times)

HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4318
You reckon that this guide is more or less what you're describing in the above quote? https://github.com/libbitcoin/libbitcoin-explorer/wiki/How-to-Encrypt-a-Wallet-Seed#using-key-encryption
Yes... it would appear that is doing the same thing (in the "Using Mnemonics" section). I confirmed it by using the mnemonic generated and the example passphrase in IanColeman's BIP39 tool, it generates the same BIP32 Root Key.

The thing to remember with Seed Mnemonic Passphrases, is that you're not really "encrypting" the seed as such... rather, you are just "extending" it. Hence the nomenclature used by Electrum ("Extend this seed with custom words").

Quote
Is there a list of wallets that support encrypted mnemonics? I don't think for instance Electrum does?
Off the top of my head:
- Electrum
- Mycelium
- Samourai
- Ledger
- Trezor
- Coinomi

There are probably a few others.


apologies for the thread drift!  Undecided
legendary
Activity: 1876
Merit: 3132
I don't think for instance Electrum does?

You can extend your seed with a custom passphrase while creating a new wallet. Just click Options and select Extend this seed with custom words. After clicking next, you will have to input your additional word. Electrum warns user that it is not the same as encrypting the wallet file.

legendary
Activity: 1946
Merit: 1427
Someone should correct me if i'm wrong, but i am fairly certain that it is NOT possible to put a password on a mnemonic seed. That'd be a first for me.
It would appear you aren't entirely familiar with BIP39 and how seed mnemonics work then... For reference:

From mnemonic to seed
A user may decide to protect their mnemonic with a passphrase. If a passphrase is not present, an empty string "" is used instead.

To create a binary seed from the mnemonic, we use the PBKDF2 function with a mnemonic sentence (in UTF-8 NFKD) used as the password and the string "mnemonic" + passphrase (again in UTF-8 NFKD) used as the salt. The iteration count is set to 2048 and HMAC-SHA512 is used as the pseudo-random function. The length of the derived key is 512 bits (= 64 bytes).


The ability to add passphrases to BIP39 seed mnemonics is the basis for the "Plausible Deniability":
Quote
The described method also provides plausible deniability, because every passphrase generates a valid seed (and thus a deterministic wallet) but only the correct one will make the desired wallet available.
Which, as pointed out by bob123 and BitCryptex, is a possible reason why the OP has a "valid" seed with no history... without the correct seed passphrase, they'll be unable to recover their wallet.

Thanks. Not sure how i haven't seen this earlier.

You reckon that this guide is more or less what you're describing in the above quote? https://github.com/libbitcoin/libbitcoin-explorer/wiki/How-to-Encrypt-a-Wallet-Seed#using-key-encryption

Is there a list of wallets that support encrypted mnemonics? I don't think for instance Electrum does?
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4318
Someone should correct me if i'm wrong, but i am fairly certain that it is NOT possible to put a password on a mnemonic seed. That'd be a first for me.
It would appear you aren't entirely familiar with BIP39 and how seed mnemonics work then... For reference:

From mnemonic to seed
A user may decide to protect their mnemonic with a passphrase. If a passphrase is not present, an empty string "" is used instead.

To create a binary seed from the mnemonic, we use the PBKDF2 function with a mnemonic sentence (in UTF-8 NFKD) used as the password and the string "mnemonic" + passphrase (again in UTF-8 NFKD) used as the salt. The iteration count is set to 2048 and HMAC-SHA512 is used as the pseudo-random function. The length of the derived key is 512 bits (= 64 bytes).


The ability to add passphrases to BIP39 seed mnemonics is the basis for the "Plausible Deniability":
Quote
The described method also provides plausible deniability, because every passphrase generates a valid seed (and thus a deterministic wallet) but only the correct one will make the desired wallet available.
Which, as pointed out by bob123 and BitCryptex, is a possible reason why the OP has a "valid" seed with no history... without the correct seed passphrase, they'll be unable to recover their wallet.
legendary
Activity: 1624
Merit: 2481
So question # 1 - If I enter a mnemonic and it verifies by saying it is a correct mnemonic I click next and dont enter a password or if the wallet requires it I enter a new one.  If there is no tx history can I assume the wallet was not restored?  As in IF I did put a password on the  mnemonic when I made it , then dont use that password and / or use a new one will that make the wallet not show any tx?

If your wallet shows you that the mnemonic is valid, but doesn't show any transaction history, chances are relatively high that you had a 'password' (or better: a so-called 25th word) added to your seed.

This 25th word acts similar to a salt, giving your seed some additional 'security mechanism'.

So, if you added such an additional word to your seed, and are now restoring it without this word, you are effectively generating a different set of private-/public- keys.
This word is mandatory to generate the same private-/public- keys to access your funds.
legendary
Activity: 1876
Merit: 3132
Someone should correct me if i'm wrong, but i am fairly certain that it is NOT possible to put a password on a mnemonic seed. That'd be a first for me.

It possible to add 13th or 25th word which acts as a password without which you won't get access to your desired wallet (different word will cause generation of completely different addresses). However, it is not the same as wallet encryption available in Electrum (I am not sure about other clients because I haven't used any of them much).
legendary
Activity: 1946
Merit: 1427
I dont know what or if there were passwords on the mnemonics.

So question # 1 - If I enter a mnemonic and it verifies by saying it is a correct mnemonic I click next and dont enter a password or if the wallet requires it I enter a new one.  If there is no tx history can I assume the wallet was not restored?  As in IF I did put a password on the  mnemonic when I made it , then dont use that password and / or use a new one will that make the wallet not show any tx?
Someone should correct me if i'm wrong, but i am fairly certain that it is NOT possible to put a password on a mnemonic seed. That'd be a first for me.

EDIT: See the answers below. It may very well be that you encrypted your mnemonic. Apologies.

Quote
Question 2 - I have a 85 character string or characters.  I have no idea what I did but it looks to me as the first part is an address and the second a key.  The first character is a 1 ( unless its a lower case L , Im open to any possibility now).  I know I cant post the whole thing but Im stuck here so this is what I have without compromising it.

85 characters - this is how it looks

1NeGXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX x VKudme       ( I put a space on the lower case x as its written it looks like it could be part of the sting or a seperator )
( s or 5 ) KRovXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2q880XXXXXXX

If there is a better way to securly put this that would be easier on you guys let me know.  Just didnt want to put too much info.

Code:
1NeGXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxVKudme

This could be a legacy adress, as it is 34 chars, starting with a 1.
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/List_of_address_prefixes


Code:
(5)KRovXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX2q880XXXXXXX

Could be an (un)compressed private key? (It's missing 1 character though?) Although, you mentioned you had 85 characters. 85-34= 51, which means that this is probably indeed an uncompressed privkey. I don't get where the K is coming from though, if that's the case.

(EDIT: I now just saw the "(S or 5)" part.. This is an uncompressed private key, for sure.) The K confused me for a bit longer than i am willing to admit. Roll Eyes

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Private_key
Quote
For private keys associated with uncompressed public keys, they are 51 characters and always start with the number 5 on mainnet (9 on testnet). Private keys associated with compressed public keys are 52 characters and start with a capital L or K on mainnet (c on testnet). This is the same private key in (mainnet) wallet import format:

jr. member
Activity: 107
Merit: 8
It appear that is a legacy address. paste the address in this explorer and see if the coins are there https://www.blockchain.com
newbie
Activity: 9
Merit: 0


Hello again all ,


Its been a while but all of this was actually good for me according to my Dr even though Im pretty sure he had no idea what I was talking about.

Where I am now.

Same situation with the mnemonics.  Some I can put the words in Multibit HD , MyCelium , Bread , and ive tried Electrum.

I can figure out my chicken scratch handwriting and get the wallet to accept the words as a valid mnemonic and about three or four have worked but mostly once it scans the BC it shows no tx no history nothing.

I dont know what or if there were passwords on the mnemonics.

So question # 1 - If I enter a mnemonic and it verifies by saying it is a correct mnemonic I click next and dont enter a password or if the wallet requires it I enter a new one.  If there is no tx history can I assume the wallet was not restored?  As in IF I did put a password on the  mnemonic when I made it , then dont use that password and / or use a new one will that make the wallet not show any tx?




Question 2 - I have a 85 character string or characters.  I have no idea what I did but it looks to me as the first part is an address and the second a key.  The first character is a 1 ( unless its a lower case L , Im open to any possibility now).  I know I cant post the whole thing but Im stuck here so this is what I have without compromising it.

85 characters - this is how it looks

1NeGXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX x VKudme       ( I put a space on the lower case x as its written it looks like it could be part of the sting or a seperator )
( s or 5 ) KRovXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2q880XXXXXXX

If there is a better way to securly put this that would be easier on you guys let me know.  Just didnt want to put too much info.



Thanks
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4318
No... the seed phrases include a "checksum" so that you can't just enter any old random phrase and it will generate a wallet. Changing just one word is likely to result in an invalid phrase (not always, but in my rather non scientific testing, maybe only 15 words out of the 2048 in the wordlist will generate a valid phrase if one word is changed)...

If you have the correct words, and nothing is showing up... then could it be possible that this seed phrase was for a different coin/wallet? (Not all wallets use the same derivation path)
newbie
Activity: 9
Merit: 0
Hello all,

Sorry it’s been a while.  I’ve had so many medical problems especially memory wise so I just put most of this up until I improved some.


So where I’m at now is I have got three of the 8 mnemonic phrases to work.  Was able to see my balance and tx history.


On the rest though no balance and no tx history pops up.  I know that I never made any mnemonic backups unless that wallet had been or was being used.  I would put them all in the same envelope.

If I go to MultiBit enter the phrase until the next button activates ( they’re hard to read ) then I go through the rest of the process and wait for it to sync.

If no tx history is there and I know I’ve used that wallet before then does that mean I have not entered the correct words?  Does it work like that?  Where I could enter words that will make the next button activate but they’re not actually the corrrect words and therefore would show no tx history?

ie I have one that has the what I used that wallet for and the ending bal written on it so I know ive used it but it shows no tx history at all.

Is this possible?  Does it work this way?

Much thanks in advance.
sr. member
Activity: 415
Merit: 250
There are not many software wallets that this applies to, but I have run into at least too that either through some forked code or a software update that was intense, the passphrase were no longer working with the new versions.  It may have also been that the wallet had written installation data to the appdata folder that, when not present, preventing the acceptance of a passphrase that is unknown to the software. 

I do not know what methods that you are using to input your account info, but always use importing/sweeping as a last resort before giving up on a passphrase for a given wallet.
 
legendary
Activity: 2954
Merit: 1159
Leading Crypto Sports Betting & Casino Platform
There are not many software wallets that this applies to, but I have run into at least too that either through some forked code or a software update that was intense, the passphrase were no longer working with the new versions.  It may have also been that the wallet had written installation data to the appdata folder that, when not present, preventing the acceptance of a passphrase that is unknown to the software. 
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4318
ok, sounds like the first line is the public address... starts with a 1 right?
second line is the private key in WIF format... starting with a 5.

Check this table for valid characters: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Base58Check_encoding#Base58_symbol_chart

It will hopefully help with confusing 1/l/I type situations.

Try plugging the public address into a block explorer and see if you get any history and a non zero balance Wink

You can also confirm the private key matches the public address by saving an offline copy of: https://www.bitaddress.org

Goto the "Wallet Details" tab and put the second line into the box and click "View Details"... the "Bitcoin Address" displayed should match the 1st line.
newbie
Activity: 10
Merit: 0
At character 35 there could be a 5 or it could be an S.  I know you said L or K at position 34


85 characters is a bit odd...

Could be a 34 char public address + 51 char private key in WIF format or a 33 char pub address + 52 char compressed private key in WIF format.

Is there a 5 at char 35? or an L or K at position 34??

However if I count out 34 characters that is the complete first line (There are two) and then on the next line is where the 5 (or S) starts.  5 (or S) is the first character of the second line.

First line = 34 characters

Second line starts with a 5 or an S and completes the remaining 51 characters.


And the entire thing there is no part that only has characters A - F



Much thanks!!!
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4318
85 characters is a bit odd...

Could be a 34 char public address + 51 char private key in WIF format or a 33 char pub address + 52 char compressed private key in WIF format.

Is there a 5 at char 35? or an L or K at position 34??
newbie
Activity: 10
Merit: 0
Your transaction uses a fee of only: Fee per byte 136.181 sat/B

Given that recommended fees are well in excess of 200 sat/Byte... that transaction probably isn't going to confirm any time soon:
The current best transaction fees 252 Satoshis/byte | 0.00252 BTC/KB
The fastest and cheapest transaction fee is currently 450 satoshis/byte, shown in green at the top.

Your options are RBF (Replace By Fee) if the wallet supports it... or CPFP (Child Pays For Parent) if you control either of the addresses that are sent outputs.... or you can attempt to hammer the ViaBTC TX Accelerator at the top of the hour and try to get in the first 100 txes submitted...

Good luck

EDIT: Because it was so close to the hour... I stalked the accelerator and got your transaction submitted Wink Hopefully when ViaBTC mine their next block your transaction will get included... should take less than 12 hours... I think they're currently averaging a block every 4-6 hours or something...



Thank you!

Sorry for the delay.


I have gone through all of my seeds.  Found a bunch of empty wallets but with the transaction history showing correctly.  Only found one of my wallets with a balance which is where the above tx came from.


Only thing I have left is what looks like a private key except I havent found any formats that support it and it has 85 characters.  0 - 9 and
A - Z.

The first character is either a 1 or a lower case l.  I thought for a moment that maybe I listed the address and then the key but I have tried putting the first part as an address into block explorer and havent been able to find anything.

Are all BTC addresses 34 characters? 

Or an private keys that wiykd be 85 characters long?

legendary
Activity: 3472
Merit: 4794
- snip -
EDIT: Because it was so close to the hour... I stalked the accelerator and got your transaction submitted Wink Hopefully when ViaBTC mine their next block your transaction will get included... should take less than 12 hours... I think they're currently averaging a block every 4-6 hours or something...

Yep.  Already confirmed.
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4318
Your transaction uses a fee of only: Fee per byte 136.181 sat/B

Given that recommended fees are well in excess of 200 sat/Byte... that transaction probably isn't going to confirm any time soon:
The current best transaction fees 252 Satoshis/byte | 0.00252 BTC/KB
The fastest and cheapest transaction fee is currently 450 satoshis/byte, shown in green at the top.

Your options are RBF (Replace By Fee) if the wallet supports it... or CPFP (Child Pays For Parent) if you control either of the addresses that are sent outputs.... or you can attempt to hammer the ViaBTC TX Accelerator at the top of the hour and try to get in the first 100 txes submitted...

Good luck

EDIT: Because it was so close to the hour... I stalked the accelerator and got your transaction submitted Wink Hopefully when ViaBTC mine their next block your transaction will get included... should take less than 12 hours... I think they're currently averaging a block every 4-6 hours or something...
newbie
Activity: 10
Merit: 0
The transaction from Multibit to Bitcoin Knox went perfectly and quickly because they had the miner fees set right.

Its the tx from my Bitcoin Know to Coinbase.

This morning I woke up and the tx was back still with 0 conf and it says this like its not broadcating anymore.  Is there a way to rebroadcast?  Does Coinbase broadcast?

Status: 0/unconfirmed, in memory pool
Date: 5/16/2017 20:39
To: CB5-16 1DPvBrFg2XCNyFNfMgemZZsvaygXXXXXXXXX
Debit: -XX.90000000 BTC
Transaction fee: -0.00030777 BTC
Net amount: -XX.90030777 BTC
Transaction ID: d675d2e516d680ee6d9661d5db5a7c05de5b15b6b9590c5abebd520c9841c8c0
Transaction size: 226 bytes
Output index: 0
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