Bitcoin Forum

If I install windows on a new harddrive, don't connect it to the web ever.  Then install the QT wallet from a CD, run the QT wallet, copy the public address and do a dumppriv key to get my private key and write it down.

Can I send BTC to that public address and then use the private key I've written down to get it 10 years from now or does that wallet.dat file need to be on a computer that is connected to the web at one point?

Yes, but you can simply save something like bitaddress.org as a html onto a pendrive, stick it into the other PC, open it and then make a paper wallet. Much easier.
You might even miscopy the characters in the private key, screwing everything up.

OOOOH THIS is exactly what I want to do...

Except.. I have no idea how to do that :(.

Do I just youtube "saving website as html on USB?"

Yes it will work, it's the easiest way to put your coins in cold storage.

Follow this step to step guide:

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_set_up_a_secure_offline_savings_wallet

Man thanks for this link I was also in search of wallet like this but have no idea now got this  :)

That's nice, I'm not a fan of linux but I'll try with this.

I would use Armory wallet.  If you make any transactions you will need to deal with change addresses and backing those keys up as well.  With Armory there is just one code you need to back up.

I'm using multibit, you don't need to download large blockchain.

Multibit is nice, almost as electrum, but from what I have read it still has some annoying bugs.

Yes I try this some time ago and every time have some problem just because of this I drop this idea and now using only blockchain

i use a spare laptop just for bitcoin

Sooo...  putting bitaddress.org onto a CD/USB..

How do?

You save the webpage. You go to bitaddress.org, and you hit CTRL + S. Save the file, transfer to your USB/CD, and use it on your offline pc.

1.Go to https://github.com/pointbiz/bitaddress.org and download the zip and put into your CD/USB
2. Boot into your newly installed windows
3. extract everything from CD/USB
4. click on the .html file
5. Move your mouse around and it will be generated.
6. Go to paper wallet and press print
6b. If you need passphrase, click BIP38 encrypt and type your password in the textbox and click generate and then print.
Also, enable the "Print Background Colors and Images" checkbox on the "Page Setup" screen.
This is very secure as it is impossible for someone to bruteforce your keystroke by matching all of them together at the same position.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1bhffb/how_to_create_and_use_an_offlineonly_wallet/

This is a nice step by step guide that should clarify all potential doubts imo.

Sweet thanks!

Thanks everyone!!!!!

May I suggest you my paper wallet guide for Bitcoin? http://www.btcguys.us/blog/how-to-create-bitcoin-paper-wallet-tutorial

Here are few highlights about my guide:
1. I show all the steps to verify integrity of the file (this validates that the file downloaded online has not been tempered with).
2. Bitcoin wallet address is generated in a offline linux environment.

If you would like to suggest any changes or if you do not understand any step then feel free to message me or reply here!

You mean this bug in Multibit? http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/22gt4r/major_mulitibit_bug_btc_gone_it_cost_me_all_of_my/

Btw, I haven't experienced a bug in Electrum and it is a good deterministic wallet.