New Here - Trying to initialize Bitcoin Core with Testnet - how to "re-run"?

[ohara1002]

Hi,

I am trying to setup and initialize Bitcoin Core v0.21.0 with Testnet on CENTOS 8.

The first time I ran:

./bitcoin-qt -testnet

I pointed to a dir, /data/mybitcoindir, and I think it was actually running all right, but there was some problem with my machine (I am running this on a VirtualBox VM) and I think the screen went black after awhile and I could not get it to wake up, so I couldn't finish the setup ...

So after I disabled the screen blanking, deleted the entire bitcoin dir and untar the tar.gz again, deleted the /data/mybitcoindir directory contents, and tried re-running it and it loaded the entire blockchain(?) but then it said there was no wallet.

So I was wondering, is there a way to re-run the "bitcoin-qt -testnet" again?  What else do I need to get the files back to the point before when I ran that the 1st time?

I noticed that there is a /root/.config/Bitcoin dir, so I am about to try deleting that dir, and then re-running, but meanwhile, I was hoping someone here might know?

Thanks,
Jim

P.S.  I know that I can probably blow away the entire VM and start again with a clean CENTOS 8, but it took me a while getting that setup working, so would prefer not to have to do that.  Also, I know I should've taken a snapshot before starting the bitcoin install, but it's too late for that now ...

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[NotATether]

First of all running any network service as root, including bitcoind or bitcoin-qt, exposes you to all kinds of security risks since any remote code execution vulnerability now can get root permissions to your whole VM.  It is better to run Core as a normal user.

Also, if you downloaded this bitcoin core version from bitcoincore.org, your datadir will be located at ~/.bitcoin by default. Try deleting that folder (since you only deleted the contents of it I presume) and when you run bitcoin-qt again, it'll recreate all the contents (including in testnet).

Then you can just create a new wallet by going to File > Create Wallet.

[NotATether]

@NotATether already answer the question, but i would suggest you to diagnose the problem since i doubt Bitcoin Core causes black screen.

The black screen is most likely coming from GNOME shell turning off the display due to inactivity. Just open GNOME Settings and go to Power > Power Saving > Blank Screen and set it to "Never" to stop the screen from turning off.

Centos 8 has gnome installed by default.

[ohara1002]

@NotATether already answer the question, but i would suggest you to diagnose the problem since i doubt Bitcoin Core causes black screen.

The black screen is most likely coming from GNOME shell turning off the display due to inactivity. Just open GNOME Settings and go to Power > Power Saving > Blank Screen and set it to "Never" to stop the screen from turning off.

Centos 8 has gnome installed by default.

Hi,

Yes, that was what was causing the black screen, exactly!

[ohara1002]

@NotATether already answer the question, but i would suggest you to diagnose the problem since i doubt Bitcoin Core causes black screen.

The black screen is most likely coming from GNOME shell turning off the display due to inactivity. Just open GNOME Settings and go to Power > Power Saving > Blank Screen and set it to "Never" to stop the screen from turning off.

Centos 8 has gnome installed by default.

If that's the cause, usually you can remove it by move your mouse or press any key on your keyboard. I doubt OP didn't do one of those since he have knowledge to setup CentOS.

Hi EFTbitcoin,

Yes, I had tried keys and mouse.  I think/guess the problem was some kind of problem with VBox.  In any event, I ended up building a new CENTOS8 machine and this time, set the display to not power off, as suggested earlier.



All,

I have to apologize (partly) about my questions.  Originally, I had been testing Bitcoin core with testnet first and then also Electrum with testnet, and I got confused between them.

Now I have re-done my tests, and realized that the seed (the 12 words) only got created when I was testing with Electrum, and created a new Electrum wallet.

When I created the new wallet in Bitcoin Core, it only asked me to create a new password.

My apologies that some of what I asked earlier may have confused folks !!



However, now I have a new question:  How come there is no seed (the 12 words) when I create the Bitcoin Core wallet?

Thanks,
Jim


EDIT 1: I think I found the answer to my last question above, about Bitcoin Core wallet and seed: 

https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/60162/seed-for-bitcoin-core-qt

Thanks again!

Jim

[HCP]

That's correct... Bitcoin Core does not support the BIP39 "seed mnemonic"... instead, it relies on making backups of the wallet.dat as the recovery method.

Essentially, you just make a copy the wallet.dat file... however, it should be noted that you should not do this while bitcoin core is running!... you could make a corrupt backup if the application is in the middle of writing data when you copy the file.

Instead, you should either use the "File -> Backup wallet..." option in the GUI:


or the backupwallet option available on the console or with bitcoin-cli... or shut bitcoin core down and then copy the file manually.

[ohara1002]

That's correct... Bitcoin Core does not support the BIP39 "seed mnemonic"... instead, it relies on making backups of the wallet.dat as the recovery method.

Essentially, you just make a copy the wallet.dat file... however, it should be noted that you should not do this while bitcoin core is running!... you could make a corrupt backup if the application is in the middle of writing data when you copy the file.

Instead, you should either use the "File -> Backup wallet..." option in the GUI:
https://i.imgur.com/QSIf3v1.png

or the backupwallet option available on the console or with bitcoin-cli... or shut bitcoin core down and then copy the file manually.

Hi HCP,

Thanks for the info, esp. about backing up the wallet/wallet.dat!

[ohara1002]

Yes, I had tried keys and mouse.  I think/guess the problem was some kind of problem with VBox.  In any event, I ended up building a new CENTOS8 machine and this time, set the display to not power off, as suggested earlier.

A bit late reply, but do you also try invoke keyboard input from
1. VirtualBox soft keyboard (Input > Keyboard > Soft Keyboard)
2. Any input in menu Input > Keyboard > Insert ... (such as Insert Print Screen or Insert Ctrl-Alt-Del)

Installing VirtualBox Guest Addition sometimes helps with input problem, if you haven't do it.

Hi ETFbitcoin,

I already had the VBox additions installed when this happened.  For now, I have turned off the screen power down in the CENTOS desktop, and the screen is staying visible.  I feel much better about that !!

Jim