[Solved] Paper wallet confusion - Importing Private keys FAQ cautions
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Q: can I import a privkey to any wallet on any pc I would like? Or do I need the wallet.dat file to be there?
Internet gave me the answer it’s both possible so I’m confused now and don’t want to lose my privkey-acces when I lose my wallet backup (which has 0.0 coins on it now).
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I’ve transfered my private key for one of my addresses to a brand new installation of the client and imported it there without problems.
As soon as the fresh installed client finished synchronizing with the blockchain, my FTC where shown in the new wallet.
So the only thing you need to recover your coins, is the private key as all information is kept in the network.The wallet.dat and blockchain.dat files just save time, as the synchronization doesn’t have to start at block 0, but at the last block that has been seen by the client
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Thanks for the reply! So I can delete all my files when I have the privkey printed, right? That’s basicly what you did, or was it a new wallet which might use your old data?
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I’d say, yes, if you have the private keys for all your addresses saved, you can delete the wallet.dat.
I’ve transfered the private keys to another pc with a fresh installation, so there was no old data.
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Yes, you can. Assuming you can import it.
But WATCH OUT FOR CHANGE ADDRESSES!!!
When you spend coins in the QT wallet, often times it will send the change back to a DIFFERENT address. You’ll need the key to this address too… and it may not be obvious where that key is.
The best way to be sure is to check the address in the block explorer. If your total balance is there, you’re good. If it’s not, you can always do a spend to that address, but you may end up paying a miner fee if you’re not careful just to consolidate your coins.
The best way to deal with this problem is to use a client that supports HD keys, because once you back up that key, you can recreate any key that might have been used.
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[quote name=“Kevlar” post=“43124” timestamp=“1386787923”]
Yes, you can. Assuming you can import it.But WATCH OUT FOR CHANGE ADDRESSES!!!
When you spend coins in the QT wallet, often times it will send the change back to a DIFFERENT address. You’ll need the key to this address too… and it may not be obvious where that key is.
The best way to be sure is to check the address in the block explorer. If your total balance is there, you’re good. If it’s not, you can always do a spend to that address, but you may end up paying a miner fee if you’re not careful just to consolidate your coins.
The best way to deal with this problem is to use a client that supports HD keys, because once you back up that key, you can recreate any key that might have been used.
[/quote]How does this affect my paper-wallet-value? I sent all my coins to the adress which I printed. The privkey on this same paper has to be ‘‘importprivkey xxxx’’ to ANY client to redeem the coins from the paper-wallet. I don’t see how a different address will affect my redeeming since there will be only the addres(ses) which are in my own client.
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[quote name=“Pryderi” post=“43134” timestamp=“1386788846”]
[quote author=Kevlar link=topic=5840.msg43124#msg43124 date=1386787923]
Yes, you can. Assuming you can import it.But WATCH OUT FOR CHANGE ADDRESSES!!!
When you spend coins in the QT wallet, often times it will send the change back to a DIFFERENT address. You’ll need the key to this address too… and it may not be obvious where that key is.
The best way to be sure is to check the address in the block explorer. If your total balance is there, you’re good. If it’s not, you can always do a spend to that address, but you may end up paying a miner fee if you’re not careful just to consolidate your coins.
The best way to deal with this problem is to use a client that supports HD keys, because once you back up that key, you can recreate any key that might have been used.
[/quote]How does this affect my paper-wallet-value? I sent all my coins to the adress which I printed. The privkey on this same paper has to be ‘‘importprivkey xxxx’’ to ANY client to redeem the coins from the paper-wallet. I don’t see how a different address will affect my redeeming since there will be only the addres(ses) which are in my own client.
[/quote]It doesn’t. You’re good.
When this becomes a problem is when you import the key, and spend some of the coins. At that time, you might expect the remainder of your coins to still be on your paper wallet, but you could be wrong.
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[quote name=“Kevlar” post=“43135” timestamp=“1386789031”]
[quote author=Pryderi link=topic=5840.msg43134#msg43134 date=1386788846]
[quote author=Kevlar link=topic=5840.msg43124#msg43124 date=1386787923]
Yes, you can. Assuming you can import it.But WATCH OUT FOR CHANGE ADDRESSES!!!
When you spend coins in the QT wallet, often times it will send the change back to a DIFFERENT address. You’ll need the key to this address too… and it may not be obvious where that key is.
The best way to be sure is to check the address in the block explorer. If your total balance is there, you’re good. If it’s not, you can always do a spend to that address, but you may end up paying a miner fee if you’re not careful just to consolidate your coins.
The best way to deal with this problem is to use a client that supports HD keys, because once you back up that key, you can recreate any key that might have been used.
[/quote]How does this affect my paper-wallet-value? I sent all my coins to the adress which I printed. The privkey on this same paper has to be ‘‘importprivkey xxxx’’ to ANY client to redeem the coins from the paper-wallet. I don’t see how a different address will affect my redeeming since there will be only the addres(ses) which are in my own client.
[/quote]It doesn’t. You’re good.
When this becomes a problem is when you import the key, and spend some of the coins. At that time, you might expect the remainder of your coins to still be on your paper wallet, but you could be wrong.
[/quote]Ah you scared me a little! :o I’ve seen someone who had that problem just posted somewhere on the forum a few days ago.
Anyhow, both thanks for the help! +1
