Need confirmation of how public and private addresses work.

[Elwar]

Just to be sure. I created the vanity address in my sig using the vanity generator.

It gave me that address and then private address.

I wrote down/copied in multiple places the private address.

I have not put that address into a wallet but have had a few BTC sent to the public address.

Before I send more BTC to the address, I just want to confirm that as long as I have that private address, I will be able to eventually import it into a wallet and spend those BTC.

Is this correct?

Thanks.

[rjk]

Yes. You can import it with the bitcoind command line, as well as with tools such as pywallet. Please note that a command line import may freeze for several seconds while the blockchain is scanned for the address.

[CIYAM]

Yes. You can import it with the bitcoind command line, as well as with tools such as pywallet. Please note that a command line import may freeze for several seconds while the blockchain is scanned for the address.

Please also note that if you are using a laptop or an old desktop those few seconds might turn into a few minutes (I have experienced waits of more than 10 minutes myself).

[Eisenhower34]

Please also note that if you are using a laptop or an old desktop those few seconds might turn into a few minutes (I have experienced waits of more than 10 minutes myself).

Conclusion: in leptops and old desktops must be a black hole, delaying the time Oo

[Elwar]

Ok, I was able to import this into my wallet and confirm the balance.

Not trusting my work computer or just about any computer...now that I have seen this work I can delete my wallet.dat correct? Or is there a way to get that address out of there?

[hamdi]

if you did no sends since importing it, you can delete the wallet.dat

[DeathAndTaxes]

I can delete my wallet.dat correct? Or is there a way to get that address out of there?

No easy way to remove a private key from the Satoshi wallet.

You can delete the wallet.dat without risk if either of the following are true
a) the wallet.dat has no other private keys w/ value (i.e. wallet's value is zero other than the test private key you imported)
OR
b) you have a good backup made prior to importing the test private key.

[DeathAndTaxes]

if you did no sends since importing it, you can delete the wallet.dat

The Satoshi wallet uses a keypool so that wouldn't cause a problem.

[Elwar]

Ok, thanks. It is an empty wallet I installed just to confirm that I would be able to import this address and use it.

I am taking my BTC off of MtGox and wanted to make sure it is secure and wanted to confirm with my own eyes that the address is working correctly for me to spend in the future.

[DannyHamilton]

Of course, now that you've typed the address into a computer, if there happened to be a keylogger on that computer, then someone else now has your private address.  Also, deleting a file doesn't actually remove it's contents from the drive.  depending on how full the drive is, and how much use it gets, the deleted wallet file could still be on that drive a few years from now when that computer is sold second hand to a hacker who searches through deleted contents and finds your private key.  If there is any virus or malware on the computer, the wallet may also have already been transferred off over the internet to some storage location for later review by someone else.

Not trying to make you paranoid, just pointing out that you are "Not trusting my work computer or just about any computer", and yet have just put your trust in this computer.

[molecular]

Just to be sure. I created the vanity address in my sig using the vanity generator.

It gave me that address and then private address.

I wrote down/copied in multiple places the private address.

I have not put that address into a wallet but have had a few BTC sent to the public address.

Before I send more BTC to the address, I just want to confirm that as long as I have that private address, I will be able to eventually import it into a wallet and spend those BTC.

Is this correct?

Thanks.

I really suggest you try it (with another one you generate if you like). Gives you a lot more confidence than just reassurance from other people.