0
I have all my old computers and have the hard drives, so how do I systematically go back finding which on has my bitcoins? At the time, I figured it was no big deal, but now finding the correct one, could be worth while.
So my question is, how to I search my hard drives to find the one that contains the bitcoins? Is there a file I need to search for?
1
It depends on the version you were running, and the operating system, and when you say you are looking for your bitcoins, what you are really looking for are the private keys.
The keys are in a file called wallet.dat which was stored in the bitcoin core data directory, which I'll call <data-dir>. The wallet.dat file was stored in <data-dir>/ on versions prior to v0.16.0 and moved to <data-dir>/wallets in later versions, see files.md. This uses the bitkeys format.
Linux
On linux, the data directory <data-dir> is ~/.bitcoin/wallets/wallet.dat
Windows
On Windows, the data directory <data-dir> is %APPDATA%\Bitcoin\wallet.dat
Mac
On Mac, the data directory <data-dir> is ~/Library/Application Support/Bitcoin/
Reference: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Data_directory#Mac
The next question is "How do I restore the keys?", and there are many answers for that already, example: Import wallet.dat into a new Bitcoin-Qt client
Note: there are many ways to store private keys, this answer assumes you were running the bitcoin-core full node software and wallet. Searching for ‘wallet.dat’ is nonetheless a good starting point in almost any case I’m sure. – chytrik – 2018-09-24T18:36:25.463
Ok, the question next, is when I find Wallet.dat, then how do I take that to cash in? – Mark Jaske – 2018-09-24T19:05:45.943
@MarkJaske That's a different question (i.e. probably not suitable for the comments section). You need to select a wallet, import your keys, and then sell them either in person or on an exchange. – JBaczuk – 2018-09-24T21:22:29.623
What year would you have received the coins? There are many ways to store bitcoins (private keys). A timeline would be useful in answering your question. – chytrik – 2018-09-24T18:37:51.907
It would of been in the 2005-2011 time frame. I thought it was a waste of my time, but back then, I was into everything that promised money... I found 2011 emails on my current account saying they were a waste of time, so back in 2011, I thought they were junk... – Mark Jaske – 2018-09-24T18:49:06.070
My emails even suggest I would give them away, as I didn't really care, if anyone wanted them, but that email chain runs dry, which means I have some, somewhere.... – Mark Jaske – 2018-09-24T18:51:15.617
So they had to me obtained in 2011 or before, so I'm assuming they might me worth something, The question, is can I search the hard drives for a certain file? – Mark Jaske – 2018-09-24T18:57:37.690
Take a look at the question I just marked this as duplicate of. Most wallets use a 'wallet.dat' file, but there are many ways to store bitcoins using local software (eg bitcoin-core or electrum), physical mediums (paper wallets), third party services (eg blockchain.info), etc. Its probably best to approach your treasure hunt with a wide scope. Best of luck! – chytrik – 2018-09-24T19:00:39.657
I can't imagine I spent more than $100 at the time and knowing me probably only $50, but if I can reclaim, it would be nice – Mark Jaske – 2018-09-24T19:01:55.820