Unable to transfer wallet to new computer...or access it on my old!

[RidleyReport]

Thanks for the easy registration.  I have an issue with my BTC software which is actually keeping me from accessing my wallet.  The wallet isn't quite empty enough to abandon.  When I load bitcoin software on my normal computer it now crashes.  So I just downloaded it to a different computer and went to insert the  Wallet.dat file that I had backed up from my usual computer.  that is what I understand you do to transfer a wallet to a new computer, and I've done something like it before.

I discovered that although my backup copies of wallet.dat still existed... there was no wallet.dat on any of my bitcoin software anymore.  Nor on the new version of bitcoin that I downloaded.  there was no wallet.dat to replace.

What do I do to insert my backed up wallet into my new computer?   

Me thank.

[Stephen Gornick]

there was no wallet.dat on any of my bitcoin software anymore.

Windows hides by default the Application data directory so you won't see it unless unless you change the default settings for hidden directories and files.  You can still navigate to and access the directory though:

 - http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Data_directory#Default_Location

[RidleyReport]

Thanks guys....  Is there anything else I should know before I do this?

[Stephen Gornick]

Is there anything else I should know before I do this?

Well, keep a backup (or two) of the old wallet after transferring it.   Don't overwrite the wallet on the new box if you had already used any of the addresses.

If the wallet.dat is damaged from the app not shutting down, it might not work even on the new box because it needs the BDB rollback log files as well.

Other than that -- pretty much a file copy operation. 

[RidleyReport]

OK I followed the instructions successfully except  the new installation, instead of crashing, says my wallet is corrupted. The one i transferred from the old computer.  So I will take one of my backup copies of wallet.dat and install it but... I'm not positive which is the newest.  If I install one from, say, 10.2012 will it fail to show my transactions since then? what other problems will it cause?  and will i be able to later install the 1.2013 copy if I find it? Accessing the more recent transactions?  i need to know what the implications will be and how permanent my course of action will be if I install the less-than-ideal copy of the wallet while rummaging for the newer one.

[Stephen Gornick]

If I install one from, say, 10.2012 will it fail to show my transactions since then? what other problems will it cause? 

The wallet contains keys in a key pool.  So a backup taken today will already include the keys for my next 100 transactions where a new address is generated for change (or where an address is generated because I clicked New).

So any recent backup probably has all the keys you've used ... unless you do a lot of SatoshiDICE wagers or that kind of activity.

Wallets can be restored, then another one restored without any impact.

You will want to launch the client with -rescan though the first time after each restored wallet.dat.

[RidleyReport]

Hmmm... how does one launch with rescan?   and... thank you for the info and help all of you!    Ben bernanke never responds when I ask for help with *his* currency...