Old multibit files help

[rarefy]

Hi, I got some satoshis a few years back then kind of wandered off.

It's on a multibit wallet, but I think I didn't properly back it up to .wif files (cmiiw), just made copies of the whole folder, containing .wallet .key and .info files.

If I just open this wallet now in my old multibit application, will that be unwise?

Or should I or how can I import what I've got safely in to electrum or whatever you advise as a good modern wallet for this?

Thank you for any help.

[Lucius]

Do you remember if you used a MultiBit Classic or a MultiBit HD wallet? Considering that you copied the entire folder, then you probably also have wallet.dat, which should allow you to export private keys via your wallet. Make a copy of that folder just in case and save it safely before you try anything.

I think the links are still working, so choose the latest version of Classic or HD and after installing load wallet.dat and try to get the private key/s. The problem will be if you protected the wallet with a password and you don't have it.

https://multibit.org/releases.html
https://multibit.org/help/v0.5/help_exportingPrivateKeys.html

[rarefy]

I have 0.5.18 running. The copies were from a 0.5.17. So before HD, classic I guess. There is no wallet.dat in my copied folders. Is that not a bitcoin core notation for storing wallets?

I do have the password, but am wary of opening old .wallet files in this deprecated software. Thanks.

[Lucius]

I have 0.5.18 running. The copies were from a 0.5.17. So before HD, classic I guess. There is no wallet.dat in my copied folders. Is that not a bitcoin core notation for storing wallets?
I do have the password, but am wary of opening old .wallet files in this deprecated software. Thanks.

It was a long time ago when I used MultiBit Classic, and now I can't remember exactly whether I made a backup directly from the wallet or I just copied that file from C: \ Documents and Settings \ example \ AppData \ Roaming \ MultiBit Classic.

If you make a copy of that folder with all the files then there is no fear that you will do something irreversible. If you don't try something you won't be able to find out if you have anything in that wallet at all - maybe it's just 1000 satoshi?

[gentlemand]

Because it's so old you're going to need some old school help. You should close this thread and open a new one in the wallet software section which is here - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=37.0

There will be people there with experience of it along at some point.

[rarefy]

Thank you both and you are both quite right. I'll just let this stew for a while to develop some courage and see if any more answers come. Then go 'old school' if I am allowed to post there.

[HCP]

Opening the wallet files in an old version of the software shouldn't do anything "bad"™... if you're concerned, simply make sure you have copies of the original files and work on the copies.

Once you have the wallet open, you'll be able to export your keys from "Tools -> Export Private Keys":



And then set up the export as follows:


NOTE: "Do not password protect export file" is necessary, otherwise the output file will be encrypted and you won't be able to read the private keys!

Then you'll be able to open the export file with a text editor and see your private keys... you can then import them into another wallet like Electrum and you'll be away laughing.


I also wrote some Python scripts (a while back, when MultiBit was shutdown) that can read the .wallet and "key backup" files directly and extract the private keys: https://github.com/HardCorePawn/multibit_recovery


If you need any assistance, just ask. You can PM me if you like.

[rarefy]

Amazing that gives me a lot of confidence thanks. Although I have put the cart before the horse because I must gather and implement all the tools for offline wallet work first. This "old MultiBit" thing had me worried but I think I'm back on track. It will take me a time but I will report back or ask more if I get stuck.

"Legendaries" indeed.

[sostaf]

Hi,

I have an similar issue so I think its better to describe the issue here rather than in a new topic.

Situation:
- Used Multibit Classic
- Have copies of complete folders incl. .wallet and .key files
- I know the PW I used
- I dont know my seed

HCP, I tried your method with multibit_recovery.

System in use is Windows 10, 64bit. I installed python latest 2.7 version (however it stated it was abandoned as well a year ago) and the dependencies (protobuf pylibscrypt bitcoin).

While I didnt figure out how to open python 2.7. in the folder I created for unzipped files and the key / wallet file - I could only open powershell, which says there is no python - I was able to open .key file by simply drag and drop it onto decrypt_multibit_classic_keys.py . It asks for the pw; if I enter it wrong it says: "incorrect password". If I enter it correctly, python just shuts down.

When I use drag and drop for .wallet file onto decrypt_multibit_classic_walletkeys.py python only opens for a split second and then closes again.

Do you have an idea how I can get the desired output instead of python just shutting down?


Also please note: I think I have my key allready unencrypted, however it looks off. Its format goes like this:
U2Fs........................................................................... ....
Wdo............................

Only two rows with different length, not four rows with similar length as it should look like, as far as I read around the web

Using this code on electrum wallet recovery option does not let me continue. Maybe you guys have a hint for me about this as well.

[NeuroticFish]

- I know the PW I used

Iirc multibit classic didn't have a seed. It has private keys.
Go to this link: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5304446.msg55964982#msg55964982
It starts with a Multibit installer, if you trust it and manage to get it/install it, you'll have to load the pwd protected .key and save it unprotected.
(Or follow the rest of that tutorial there to get unencrypted .key)

If you'll have it unprotected, each line that's not commented will be a pair or <private_key> <a_date_time>
The private keys can be imported to Electrum (of course, download from electrum.org and check its signature).

[sostaf]

Thank you for the reply and Link NeuroticFish!

So I installed openssl but I dont know what to do with it. When I open command console in windows and enter the recommended line it says the commando openssl is not known. If I go the folder where the .key file is in and open powershell there, I get an error msg (I will translate whats not english):

openssl was not found as name of a cmdlet, a function, a script or a programm. Please check for errors and repeat.

In Row:1 Sign:1
+ openssl enc -d -p -aes-256-cbc -md md5 -a -in multibit-...
+ ~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (openssl:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException


Do you have an idea what I am doing wrong?

[HCP]

While I didnt figure out how to open python 2.7. in the folder I created for unzipped files and the key / wallet file - I could only open powershell, which says there is no python -

Don't use powershell... you need the "standard" windows "command prompt"... you'll need to press the "start" button, then type cmd (or press "Win+R" and enter cmd)

So I installed openssl but I dont know what to do with it. When I open command console in windows and enter the recommended line it says the commando openssl is not known. If I go the folder where the .key file is in and open powershell there, I get an error msg (I will translate whats not english):

It's saying that because "openssl" is not installed in your "PATH"... when you type commands, windows looks in some very specific places to find the command/app to run... if you haven't told Windows where to find "openssl", it won't be able to find it.

Again, don't use powershell... that won't help.

However, read below... it should solve your problem and make it easy for you to run the scripts without needing to use the command prompt

I was able to open .key file by simply drag and drop it onto decrypt_multibit_classic_keys.py . It asks for the pw; if I enter it wrong it says: "incorrect password". If I enter it correctly, python just shuts down.

When I use drag and drop for .wallet file onto decrypt_multibit_classic_walletkeys.py python only opens for a split second and then closes again.
Do you have an idea how I can get the desired output instead of python just shutting down?

It's because there is no "pause" in the script, it's just dumping output and then the "py.exe" window will be closing immediately. A small oversight on my behalf, as I never imagined anyone would use "drag and drop"

So, I have just updated the scripts... and they now have a "Press any key to continue..." prompt at the end of them. If you redownload the scripts: https://github.com/HardCorePawn/multibit_recovery you should find that you can use the drag and drop, enter the password when prompted and it'll now wait at the end and you can see the output

I've even updated the "Readme" to include a note about "drag and drop"... thanks for the idea!

Also please note: I think I have my key allready unencrypted, however it looks off. Its format goes like this:
U2Fs........................................................................... ....
Wdo............................

No... that is encrypted... the "U2F" indicates that you have an aes-256-cbc encrypted file.

[sostaf]

Thank you for the further explanations and the updated scripts HCP.

With your new version I was now able to get the unencrypted version of the key and regain access to the btc via Electrum!

Thank you a thousand times HCP! https://giphy.com/gifs/mrw-and-pain-nEMmyUp4hl1QOzovKh - this really made my day! Not only is there the access to the "lost" btc, but also after years (yeah, i procrastinated this a lot) the relief that it all worked out fine and the coins are not gone forever in bitcoin nirvana

[WarEagle2010]

I am reaching out to see if anyone might be able to help me out with a old Multibit wallet? The other day I found an old zip drive checked it out and found out it had an old Multibit wallet attached to it. I went ahead and got my old desktop up and running got the chain caught up. The address was showing zero when ahead and imported the key and it is showing me a balance from a while back. But I went ahead and tried to move a fraction of a coin but nothing happened. I have reloaded the chain several times and it keeps showing the same thing. The one thing that doesn't make sense is that the Balance and the Spendable Balance are different. Any help you can provide me with and point me in the right direction would be greatly apricated!


Thanks R

[franckuestein]

I am reaching out to see if anyone might be able to help me out with a old Multibit wallet? The other day I found an old zip drive checked it out and found out it had an old Multibit wallet attached to it. I went ahead and got my old desktop up and running got the chain caught up. The address was showing zero when ahead and imported the key and it is showing me a balance from a while back. But I went ahead and tried to move a fraction of a coin but nothing happened. I have reloaded the chain several times and it keeps showing the same thing. The one thing that doesn't make sense is that the Balance and the Spendable Balance are different. Any help you can provide me with and point me in the right direction would be greatly apricated!


Thanks R

Hi WarEagle2010 do you remember if you were using Multibit Classic or Multibit HD? Multibit is deprecated since July 26, 2017 and I think is impossible for it to synchronize correctly right now.

If you want to move those bitcoin you should import the private keys in another wallet following tutorials like the one from HCP.

Other examples:

• Multibit Classic: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3148394.0
• Multibit HD: https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/a/79291

If you have more questions and want to continue adding comments, remember not to mention your private key as an example or you will lose your bitcoin