What happens if my computer dies?

[sean_incali]

Hi Everyone,

I've been mining using CPU and accumulating bitcoins very slowly. Then it occured to me.

What happens to my bitcoin earning if my computer were to die?

Or what happens to my wallet that's installed on this computer if I sell my computer?

Thanks for any info

Sean

[Alex Beckenham]

The buyer of your computer will have all your bitcoins.

First of all, you should be backing up your wallet.

Second of all, you should securely erase any hard drive that is for sale.

Personally I never ever sell any hard drives, I just accumulate them all so that one day they can be crushed.

[swusc2]

If it hasn't transferred to your wallet yet its still in the pool.

All bitcoins in your wallet are transactions stored online. As long as you have your wallet you can always access your coins. The client is nothing more than a terminal. All bitcoins are kept on record through the blockchain.

If you lose your wallet and you dont have a backup your shit out of luck.

Next time use the search function or read the sticky that says (Read before asking for support).

[dego]

Your wallet is saved in the file called wallet.dat. Backup that file regularly. Then you can fry your CPU. Just watch out that you are not loosing more money on CPU and electricity than you earn with your machine... 

[dr_nix]

Lots of useful info here:

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

[Stardust]

That is very important, backup your wallet after each send.  If you are going to store your wallet online or someone else has access to your computer, encrypt it.