gifffgafff (OP)
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June 20, 2012, 10:01:39 AM |
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HI Guys,
My bitcoin wallet is stored in an encrypted volume, this volume is disguised as a file which I mount using TrueCrypt.
I opened up my bitcoin program (Windows) and there's nothing there! There's not even a wallet.dat, I've searched the encrypted volume for deleted files and it can't recover anything. I've got no idea why it would just disappear like that.
I've searched the hex value 01036B65794104 in both the encrypted volume, and the volume where the encrypted volume is stored.
Can't find nout, am I fucked?
Cheers guys
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John (John K.)
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Away on an extended break
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June 20, 2012, 10:04:41 AM |
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Did you backup the whole Bitcoin folder at User/AppData?
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binspac
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June 20, 2012, 10:11:11 AM |
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Did your computer get shut off before you were able to unmount the volume?
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gifffgafff (OP)
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June 20, 2012, 10:44:52 AM |
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Did you backup the whole Bitcoin folder at User/AppData?
Quite annoyed with myself now. Had no idea the wallet.dat was kept within AppData/Roaming/Bitcoin. I actually formatted my main drive last night. I assumed it was kept in a subdirectory within the Bitcoin app folder. Okay so naturally, I've run the bitcoin app again since formatting and it's created a new wallet.dat. I'm running a recovery on my c: now, I'm guessing I'm screwed as it would have replaced the previous wallet.dat?  |
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stevegee58
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June 20, 2012, 11:40:58 AM |
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If you can't recover your c: you're screwed. Just consider it a tuition payment to the School of Life.
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You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
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viboracecata
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Varanida : Fair & Transparent Digital Ecosystem
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June 20, 2012, 12:45:24 PM |
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I also confused why we must place the bitcoin data file in a hidden dir, unless you are familiar with OS, and have the intuition to it. If my mom and dad using this, this tragedy would happen again.
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JTurner
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June 20, 2012, 01:02:56 PM |
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I also confused why we must place the bitcoin data file in a hidden dir, unless you are familiar with OS, and have the intuition to it. If my mom and dad using this, this tragedy would happen again.
Clearly, I agree that placing the wallet file in some random automatically assigned system folder doesn't sound like a wise choice. Bitcoin should treat this file like KeePass treats its password database, for instance: first time you launch the software, it asks you were you want to put the darn file. |
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stevegee58
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June 20, 2012, 01:03:00 PM |
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I also confused why we must place the bitcoin data file in a hidden dir, unless you are familiar with OS, and have the intuition to it. If my mom and dad using this, this tragedy would happen again.
Your right, but the questions becomes, why are you not using the wallet backup functionality in the bitcoin client your using? It's like driving a car: You don't have to know how an engine works to safely operate one. |
You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
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gifffgafff (OP)
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June 20, 2012, 02:21:20 PM |
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Well fuck, looks like it's gone. I've tried Recuva and EaseUS data recovery and can't find the file. I'm guessing seeing as I ran the Bitcoin program after my format, the new wallet.dat has replaced the old one (seeing as it's in the same position) I've also tried: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=22697.0And: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=25091.0Though neither of these located my current wallet.dat either (does a blank wallet.dat have no private keys?) Any more suggestions? I know it's a dead end though lol If you can't recover the wallet.dat, how many btc did you lose?
20 BTC, like someone said that's an expensive life lesson  I also confused why we must place the bitcoin data file in a hidden dir, unless you are familiar with OS, and have the intuition to it. If my mom and dad using this, this tragedy would happen again.
It doesn't make much sense to me, the bitcoin program comes in a self contained folder rather than an installation. At the same time I have absolutely no excuses, my degree is in Computing.  |
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viboracecata
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June 20, 2012, 02:51:38 PM |
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I also confused why we must place the bitcoin data file in a hidden dir, unless you are familiar with OS, and have the intuition to it. If my mom and dad using this, this tragedy would happen again.
Clearly, I agree that placing the wallet file in some random automatically assigned system folder doesn't sound like a wise choice. Bitcoin should treat this file like KeePass treats its password database, for instance: first time you launch the software, it asks you were you want to put the darn file. To me, actually, I hate the biiiiiig blockchain sync file, the volume of my system partition is small, and I can't move it, WTF  |
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John (John K.)
Global Troll-buster and
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Away on an extended break
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June 20, 2012, 02:55:28 PM |
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I also confused why we must place the bitcoin data file in a hidden dir, unless you are familiar with OS, and have the intuition to it. If my mom and dad using this, this tragedy would happen again.
Clearly, I agree that placing the wallet file in some random automatically assigned system folder doesn't sound like a wise choice. Bitcoin should treat this file like KeePass treats its password database, for instance: first time you launch the software, it asks you were you want to put the darn file. To me, actually, I hate the biiiiiig blockchain sync file, the volume of my system partition is small, and I can't move it, WTF Use Electrum instead then ( https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=51397.0) |
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viboracecata
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June 20, 2012, 02:58:41 PM |
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Well fuck, looks like it's gone. I've tried Recuva and EaseUS data recovery and can't find the file. I'm guessing seeing as I ran the Bitcoin program after my format, the new wallet.dat has replaced the old one (seeing as it's in the same position) I've also tried: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=22697.0And: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=25091.0Though neither of these located my current wallet.dat either (does a blank wallet.dat have no private keys?) Any more suggestions? I know it's a dead end though lol If you can't recover the wallet.dat, how many btc did you lose?
20 BTC, like someone said that's an expensive life lesson I also confused why we must place the bitcoin data file in a hidden dir, unless you are familiar with OS, and have the intuition to it. If my mom and dad using this, this tragedy would happen again.
It doesn't make much sense to me, the bitcoin program comes in a self contained folder rather than an installation. At the same time I have absolutely no excuses, my degree is in Computing. Maybe you should take your PC to a maintenance station and with professional tools, they can recover your drive partition, if the address of the wallet haven't be written again. Not sure whether it will work. |
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JTurner
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June 20, 2012, 03:15:46 PM |
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To me, actually, I hate the biiiiiig blockchain sync file, the volume of my system partition is small, and I can't move it, WTF This, too. I've got a separate system partition too and I don't really like programs which flood it with data without asking first... |
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flc1984
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June 20, 2012, 04:29:02 PM |
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I think you have no chance of retrieving it after formatting and reinstalling. I don't understand why you would go through all the trouble of using encyption, etc and not even check where the wallet file actually located or even make a backup when the client has the option in the File menu, it is not exactly a guarded secret - especially since most Windows apps now store data in users/*profile*/AppData/Roaming - hopefully this will be a lesson others can take heed from too.
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gifffgafff (OP)
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June 20, 2012, 07:17:51 PM |
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Maybe you should take your PC to a maintenance station and with professional tools, they can recover your drive partition, if the address of the wallet haven't be written again.
Not sure whether it will work.
It's gone, I'll accept that for now Thanks for the suggestion though. I think you have no chance of retrieving it after formatting and reinstalling. I don't understand why you would go through all the trouble of using encyption, etc and not even check where the wallet file actually located or even make a backup when the client has the option in the File menu, it is not exactly a guarded secret - especially since most Windows apps now store data in users/*profile*/AppData/Roaming - hopefully this will be a lesson others can take heed from too.
I made several backups of the folder, it was very wrong of me to assume the file was there. But I don't think the bitcoin program should be putting information into AppData, doesn't sit well with the ethos of bitcoin and the desire to remain anonymous. Leaving fingerprints on your hidden folders? It comes as a stand alone folder, not an installation. Oh well, life goes on lol. |
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