Help with old wallet.dat file from bitcoin core

[Sjef1]

Hi guys!

Been struggling for over a week trying to recover an old wallet.dat file. I bought some btc back in 2016, and before the entire blockchain was imported my PC ran out of memory. I was relatively young at the time and my knowledge of computers was scarse. So, naive as i was i simply tried to drag the entire folder over to my external HDD, but the entire thing crashed. I never figured it out, and forgot about it. I recently found my old hdd and saw that everything was still there. I also found my old wallet.dat file. I sent bitcoins to the bitcoin core wallet before it was ever finished, so i am hoping that it is still there. I tried downloading the bitcoin core once again to another external hdd, and it took a week to get to 89%. I trid to use the 'open wallet' function but then bitcoin core just crashed. In desperation i formated the hdd and tried again, and it still crashes immedeatily when i hover over the option. I then tried to use the pywallet, but i just cant seem to figure this out.

I am trying here in a last attempt of desperation to recover my btc. I really need a step by step guide i think to mange this. I really hope someone can help me, and if someone does i would be willing to share som of my btc in grattitude! I know these are just words but i really will. So yeah, looking forward to some educated advise on how to sort this out! Thank you in advance

[LoyceV]

I sent bitcoins to the bitcoin core wallet before it was ever finished, so i am hoping that it is still there.

Easy check: enter your address on Blockchair.com to see the balance.

then bitcoin core just crashed. In desperation i formated the hdd and tried again, and it still crashes

My guess: something's wrong with your system.

My advice:

• Make a backup of your original wallet.dat on an external USB stick
• Make another backup
• Ignore all PMs offering to "help" you.

I am trying here in a last attempt of desperation to recover my btc. I really need a step by step guide i think to mange this. I really hope someone can help me, and if someone does i would be willing to share som of my btc in grattitude! I know these are just words but i really will. So yeah, looking forward to some educated advise on how to sort this out! Thank you in advance

Can you share some of your system specs? (Using an external HDD isn't promising)
Depending on your system I would probably recommend to install Bitcoin Core on your internal drive, set it to prune the blockchain (which saves a lot of disk space), close it, copy your old wallet.dat to replace^* the newly created wallet.dat, and let it synchronize 350 GB of data.

^* Just in case you make a mistake, never delete a wallet, just rename it to wallet.dat.old.March19.2021 or something.

[nc50lc]

Safest solution is the above, enable pruning if don't have the space and let it sync.

The alternative is to export the address' private key and import it to Electrum, then you can spend it from there.
To export the key, you need to enter commands in the console ('Window->Console' to open).

Shutdown all wireless connections, or use a dedicated air-gap machine to export/import your key(s).
1. Decrypt the wallet for 60seconds:

Code:

walletpassphrase "your_passphrase" 60

2. Export the address' private key:

Code:

dumpprivkey "your_address"

Then copy the WIF private key (starts with 'K', 'L' or '5') offline, preferably on a "physical" paper. (do not share it)

3. Download and verify Electrum, download link: electrum.org | Signature verification guide
During wallet creation, select the option "Import Bitcoin addresses or private keys", paste your private key(s) to the text box, then finish creating the wallet with a strong password.
If you're using an Air Gap machine, transfer the wallet file from Electrum's data directory - wallets folder (loc) to Electrum installed on an online machine.
Wait for a few minutes for the balance to update

[Chikito]

Try to redownload the core to an internal hard disk, running it offline, or don't download the blockchain by tick the right button below.



Let's try to import wallet using the console:

Code:

importwallet "filename"

[Kizzabitcoin]

Depending on your system I would probably recommend to install Bitcoin Core on your internal drive, set it to prune the blockchain (which saves a lot of disk space), close it, copy your old wallet.dat to replace^* the newly created wallet.dat, and let it synchronize 350 GB of data.



^* Just in case you make a mistake, never delete a wallet, just rename it to wallet.dat.old.March19.2021 or something.
[/quote]

I'm in a very similar situation to Sjef1.  I have downloaded the latest version of bitcore.  But I can't find where it stores the wallet.dat file so I can replace it. 
The new version has a lot more functions than the old one.  Do I need to create a wallet first and then replace it?  Or is it hiding somewhere?
Also, using Windows 10

[Kizzabitcoin]

Depending on your system I would probably recommend to install Bitcoin Core on your internal drive, set it to prune the blockchain (which saves a lot of disk space), close it, copy your old wallet.dat to replace^* the newly created wallet.dat, and let it synchronize 350 GB of data.



^* Just in case you make a mistake, never delete a wallet, just rename it to wallet.dat.old.March19.2021 or something.

I'm in a very similar situation to Sjef1.  I have downloaded the latest version of bitcore.  But I can't find where it stores the wallet.dat file so I can replace it. 
The new version has a lot more functions than the old one.  Do I need to create a wallet first and then replace it?  Or is it hiding somewhere?
Also, using Windows 10
[/quote]

Scratch that....  The file was just hidden.  Went to "show hidden files" and all good

[nc50lc]

Scratch that....  The file was just hidden.  Went to "show hidden files" and all good

Great! But please fix your posts' quotes because it looks like you're the one who've posted the messages.
Deleting the parts that's meant to be quoted will do and merge them is a single post to comply with entry #32 of the unofficial rules.

[Kizzabitcoin]

OK, my bad. Didn't realise.  This sight isn't exactly user friendly to the clueless newbie. Was trying to reduce the bulk quote tree.