Two questions about Electrum (newbie)

[Mabelle16]

Hello

Still having some doubts and issues about Electrum and need some help.
Firstly, I am in the process of updating my 3.0.2 (portable) version (where I have some btc)  to the 3.0.5 on Window 10.  However, not really sure about what I have just done.
I've installed version 3.0.5 to a new folder on my off-line pc. Created a standard wallet_1 (same name as the one on former installation) and restored it from seed. Then, I've overwritten C:\Users\E8-950\Desktop\electrum_data\wallets\wallet_1  to the same path of the new 3.0.5
As regards the on-line pc, I've upgraded to version 3.0.5 as well and created the watch-only installation restoring from PMK.  Last, I've overwritten wallet_1 to proper path.
When I open my new Electrum 3.0.5 installation I can see my history transaction although they are marked 'Not Verified'
My questions are:
As concerns upgrading Have I done the right thing?
Why  the new installation is showing 'Not verified' transactions ? What do I have to do next ?

The last question (not necessarily correlated to the above but of some interest to me):  Having to do the Electrum upgrade would it be possible to install the Installer version instead of the Portable one  and have my btc transferred  from one version to the other ? If yes , how can I manage this?

I hope I am not posting too many questions. I have made my efforts to find answers through searching and reading but still not at ease with the matter.

Many thanks

[nc50lc]

To upgrade your electrum with your funds intact,
you just have to copy the wallet file from
C:\Users\(username)\Desktop\electrum_data\wallets\(name of your wallet) to a temporary safe place.
[I assume that this is where your portable version's wallet file was based on your statement]

That was the wallet file, that's all you need to transfer your wallet (aside from the seed).
You can put this wherever you want, you can browse it's location in the electrum "Open" menu.

Then proceed with upgrading to a 3.05 (Uninstall the old version if you're paranoid),
Open the new v3.05 Electrum (whatever the variant) and open->find your wallet file.

[HCP]

I've installed version 3.0.5 to a new folder on my off-line pc. Created a standard wallet_1 (same name as the one on former installation) and restored it from seed. Then, I've overwritten C:\Users\E8-950\Desktop\electrum_data\wallets\wallet_1  to the same path of the new 3.0.5

I'm not sure why you created a new wallet, restored your wallet from seed... and then overwrote that file with your old one?

As regards the on-line pc, I've upgraded to version 3.0.5 as well and created the watch-only installation restoring from PMK.  Last, I've overwritten wallet_1 to proper path.

And you've done the same thing here? Created a new wallet... then copied over the old one?

When I open my new Electrum 3.0.5 installation I can see my history transaction although they are marked 'Not Verified'

On which computer is the wallet showing "not verified"? Is that on your "offline PC"? because that status usually just means that your wallet hasn't "synced up", so it does not know if the transactions have been confirmed or not. Electrum stores your transactions in the wallet file, so if you copied the old wallet file, it would have those transactions, but wouldn't be able to confirm if they were OK or not.

If it is on the "online" PC, then it would seem that your wallet is connected properly? Is the dot in the bottom right corner red, green or is it blue arrows?

The last question (not necessarily correlated to the above but of some interest to me):  Having to do the Electrum upgrade would it be possible to install the Installer version instead of the Portable one  and have my btc transferred  from one version to the other ? If yes , how can I manage this?

Simply install the installer version, then copy your old wallet file to the wallet storage directory. For "installer" version, you can find the wallet files here: http://docs.electrum.org/en/latest/faq.html#where-is-my-wallet-file-located

[Abdussamad]

- Wallet files are not removed when you uninstall electrum.

- To upgrade you don't have to uninstall the old version. Just install the latest version and it'll upgrade you automatically. It'll also find your wallet files automatically and use them.

- You can open a different wallet file via various methods. You can also save backup copies of your wallet file via file > save copy.

[HCP]

- To upgrade you don't have to uninstall the old version. Just install the latest version and it'll upgrade you automatically. It'll also find your wallet files automatically and use them.

That only works if you upgrade to the same "type"... If you have been using a "portable" version (like the OP), and you install the "installer" or "standalone" version, then it won't find your old wallets. Likewise, if you have been using the "installer" or "standalone" versions, then try using the "portable"... it won't find your old wallets.

Remember:
- Installer/Standalone versions use the "Electrum data directory\wallets" folder to store wallets.
- Portable version uses "Electrum executable location\electrum_data\wallets" folder to store wallets.

So, if you switch type, you either need to copy the old file to the appropriate location... OR you need to manually find and open that file from within Electrum using "File -> Open"

[Mabelle16]

I've installed version 3.0.5 to a new folder on my off-line pc. Created a standard wallet_1 (same name as the one on former installation) and restored it from seed. Then, I've overwritten C:\Users\E8-950\Desktop\electrum_data\wallets\wallet_1  to the same path of the new 3.0.5

I'm not sure why you created a new wallet, restored your wallet from seed... and then overwrote that file with your old one?

To be honest,  I am not really familiar with software installations,  but insist on doing it myself! I was told by someone else in the forum to reinstall to another folder and to paste my old wallet file to this new installation. No other instructions. And that I could only install another Portable version. While doing it I realized I was missing some essential understanding of the whole process.  I've probably misunderstood the instructions!

As regards the on-line pc, I've upgraded to version 3.0.5 as well and created the watch-only installation restoring from PMK.  Last, I've overwritten wallet_1 to proper path.

And you've done the same thing here? Created a new wallet... then copied over the old one?

Yes, I did not know if this was correct and I assumed it was.

When I open my new Electrum 3.0.5 installation I can see my history transaction although they are marked 'Not Verified'

On which computer is the wallet showing "not verified"? Is that on your "offline PC"? because that status usually just means that your wallet hasn't "synced up", so it does not know if the transactions have been confirmed or not. Electrum stores your transactions in the wallet file, so if you copied the old wallet file, it would have those transactions, but wouldn't be able to confirm if they were OK or not.

On the watch-only (on-line) one.  On the off-line one there is nothing, it is all blank (this is true also referring to the first installation, i.e. on wallet 3.0.2)

If it is on the "online" PC, then it would seem that your wallet is connected properly? Is the dot in the bottom right corner red, green or is it blue arrows?

It's red.

The last question (not necessarily correlated to the above but of some interest to me):  Having to do the Electrum upgrade would it be possible to install the Installer version instead of the Portable one  and have my btc transferred  from one version to the other ? If yes , how can I manage this?

Simply install the installer version, then copy your old wallet file to the wallet storage directory. For "installer" version, you can find the wallet files here: http://docs.electrum.org/en/latest/faq.html#where-is-my-wallet-file-located

Well, I am going to get rid of that second portable version 3.0.5.  I have understood that I have to save/copy my old wallet file (my wallet_1); that I can install the new Installer 3.0.5. and paste my old wallet_1 the proper directory. I do not know what need to be done different on the off-line and on-line pcs.  Moreover, as concerns my old wallet I never tried to sign, on the off-line pc, the verified transactions present on the watch-only pc.   Does this have something to do with the "synced up you were mentioning above?

Sorry about the mess.  I would really need a step by step procedure.

Many thanks

[Mabelle16]

To upgrade your electrum with your funds intact,
you just have to copy the wallet file from
C:\Users\(username)\Desktop\electrum_data\wallets\(name of your wallet) to a temporary safe place.
[I assume the this is where your portable version's wallet file was]

Yes, that is the place it is.

That was the wallet file, that's all you need to transfer your wallet (aside from the seed).
You can put this wherever you want, you can browse it's location in the electrum "Open" menu.

Then proceed with upgrading to a 3.05 (Uninstall the old version if you're paranoid),
Open the new v3.05 Electrum (whatever the variant) and open->find your wallet file.

I think it is here I am drowning in an inch of water.....How do I have to run the installation? do I have to select 'I already have a seed'? 'Use public key'?
Do I have to do the same on both off-line and on-line (watch-only) pcs?  And what else to close the loop?

Thank you all

[Mabelle16]

- Wallet files are not removed when you uninstall electrum.

- To upgrade you don't have to uninstall the old version. Just install the latest version and it'll upgrade you automatically. It'll also find your wallet files automatically and use them.

- You can open a different wallet file via various methods. You can also save backup copies of your wallet file via file > save copy.

Thank you

[HCP]

If it is on the "online" PC, then it would seem that your wallet is connected properly? Is the dot in the bottom right corner red, green or is it blue arrows?

It's red.

This would definitely explain why your transactions are "not verified". A red dot means that you are not connected to a server, which means that Electrum cannot determine the true status of those transactions.

To correct this, I would recommend that you click the red dot... it should open up the "Network" settings, on the "Overview" tab. You should see "Status", "Server" and "Blockchain". If status does not say something like "connected to 10 nodes", then something is definitely awry. Also, if "Blockchain" is not >= 505666 Blocks then your Electrum is not synced correctly.

In this case, I would suggest clicking the "Connection" tab, and then make sure that "Use SSL" is checked... and "Use proxy" is NOT checked. Finally, click on the "Server" tab and see if "Select server automatically" is checked. If it is, uncheck it and then double click on one of the servers in the list.

Abdussamad has written a quick guide on how to change the server here: https://bitcoinelectrum.com/how-to-switch-to-a-different-electrum-server/

(Just FYI, there is a bunch of good guides on his site related to Electrum )

Well, I am going to get rid of that second portable version 3.0.5.  I have understood that I have to save/copy my old wallet file (my wallet_1); that I can install the new Installer 3.0.5. and paste my old wallet_1 the proper directory. I do not know what need to be done different on the off-line and on-line pcs.  Moreover, as concerns my old wallet I never tried to sign, on the off-line pc, the verified transactions present on the watch-only pc.   Does this have something to do with the "synced up you were mentioning above?

You don't need to re-sign anything, you just need your watching wallet on the Online PC to be synced up (ie. connected and showing a green dot)... Once it is connected properly, it'll find all the transactions and update the status of these transactions accordingly

As for how to proceed, you need to decide which type of install you want... do you want to have it "installed" or continue to run from the "portable" exe... Then just set it up accordingly and try to stick to one version.

For "Installed", Simply run the 3.0.5 installer, move your old wallet into the new wallet file directory and you should be good to go
For "Portable", Simply put the 3.0.5 portable .exe into the same place as the old portable .exe and you should be good to go

NOTE: in either instance, you should make sure that you have checked the digital signatures of the version of Electrum you have downloaded.

[Mabelle16]

You don't need to re-sign anything, you just need your watching wallet on the Online PC to be synced up (ie. connected and showing a green dot)... Once it is connected properly, it'll find all the transactions and update the status of these transactions accordingly


As for how to proceed, you need to decide which type of install you want... do you want to have it "installed" or continue to run from the "portable" exe... Then just set it up accordingly and try to stick to one version.

For "Installed", Simply run the 3.0.5 installer, move your old wallet into the new wallet file directory and you should be good to go
For "Portable", Simply put the 3.0.5 portable .exe into the same place as the old portable .exe and you should be good to go

NOTE: in either instance, you should make sure that you have checked the digital signatures of the version of Electrum you have downloaded.

I am going to install the 3.0.5 Installer and move the old wallet here.  This will be on the off-line.  I assume I have to upgrade to the same version the on-line pc as well.  If yes, will I have to use the wizard and the public key to create my watch-only ?

In any case will go back again  to  Abdussamad guide that I already bookmarked some time ago and that I think it's really well written and explained.

It's ok (in the sense I guess it's important) for the digital signature check (just hope it's not another 'burden' to figure out

Thank you very much for your help and understanding (I reckon it might be quite annoying ....with dummies!)

[HCP]

I am going to install the 3.0.5 Installer and move the old wallet here.  This will be on the off-line.  I assume I have to upgrade to the same version the on-line pc as well.  If yes, will I have to use the wizard and the public key to create my watch-only ?

Yes, it really pays to make sure that the off-line and on-line wallets are on the same version... sometimes things get "upgraded"... and older versions don't understand things that newer versions are doing and issues arise. In 99% of cases, it probably won't make too much difference if the off-line and on-line versions aren't the same, but better safe than sorry


To update the online version... if you already have the watch-only wallet on the old version, you can just do the same procedure as the off-line... install the 3.0.5 installer and then move the old "watch-only" wallet into the wallet directory for the new version.

Otherwise, just create a new wallet and use the "Standard wallet -> Use Public or Private Keys" options and then copy/paste your "Master Private Key" (aka 'xpub') from your off-line wallet. That will generate your watch-only wallet.

[Mabelle16]

I am going to install the 3.0.5 Installer and move the old wallet here.  This will be on the off-line.  I assume I have to upgrade to the same version the on-line pc as well.  If yes, will I have to use the wizard and the public key to create my watch-only ?

Yes, it really pays to make sure that the off-line and on-line wallets are on the same version... sometimes things get "upgraded"... and older versions don't understand things that newer versions are doing and issues arise. In 99% of cases, it probably won't make too much difference if the off-line and on-line versions aren't the same, but better safe than sorry


To update the online version... if you already have the watch-only wallet on the old version, you can just do the same procedure as the off-line... install the 3.0.5 installer and then move the old "watch-only" wallet into the wallet directory for the new version.

Otherwise, just create a new wallet and use the "Standard wallet -> Use Public or Private Keys" options and then copy/paste your "Master Private Key" (aka 'xpub') from your off-line wallet. That will generate your watch-only wallet.

Ok thank you