<blockquote>
  <p>It is now telling me that it is over 10% done and that are "XYZ" blocks remaining. What does this mean? </p>
</blockquote>

<p>The bitcoin network works by continuously adding new blocks onto the blockchain. Each block is full of transactions, and each transaction can be traced back to earlier transactions, creating a verifiable record of ownership for all coins in the system. </p>

<p>So to show your balance, the wallet needs to synchronize with the blockchain, so that it can accurately determine what (if any) coins you own.  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>And will my wallet be updated only when the synchronization is complete?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes, though if you want to find out your address balance more quickly, you could look up the addresses controlled by the wallet, and then use a block explorer website to check the balance of each individual address. Note that if your wallet has a large list of addresses, this may be a hassle to do.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Also, at towards the top of the wallet is there is a message "alert key comprised, upgrade required"</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This message relates to the retirement of an alert messaging system that was built into the original clients, it is meant to alert you to the fact that the key that allows alert messages to be sent is now publicly known. This is not critical to the function or safety of the wallet.</p>

<p>If you upgrade to a newer version of the client, your sync time may improve greatly (depending on how old the software you're using is). If you post info about what version of the software you're using, someone may be able to provide more help in regards to this. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-23T07:44:17.033Z
This is really helpful thank you.  Apologies, for hitting the wrong button re the helpfulness of your reply, but I think I have now corrected that.  The syncing is 35% complete, so perhaps it is best to wait.  I am also not sure how to read the wallet.dat file.  The software I am using on my old PC is Bitcoin v0.8.1.
NewOwl
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-23T08:59:57.997Z
oops.  I should clarify that I am using V0.8.1-beta for windows. the date on my wallet file is 1/1/2009
NewOwl
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-22T21:05:11.990Z
2018-06-22T21:05:11.990Z
chytrik
<p>Several years ago, without really understanding the mechanics relating to bitcoin, I believe I might have managed a bit of mining. The "Bitcoin-wallet" and other files, including my wallet.dat file have been sitting on an old PC that I only found during a recent move! So am now playing catch-up and have a few questions (noting that I have copied over the relevant files and wallet.dat to external drives).  </p>

<p>When I first tried to open the wallet there was an error/warning about corruption but asked if I wanted to proceed.  I did.  After updating the time and date of my old PC to today's date/time, the wallet started to work.  That is while my wallet indicated that it is "out of sync" and showed a balance of zero, it did start syncing with the network.  It is now telling me that it is over 10% done and that are "XYZ" blocks remaining.  What does this mean? And will my wallet be updated only when the synchronization is complete?</p>

<p>Also, at towards the top of the wallet is there is a message "alert key comprised, upgrade required"</p>

<p>Thanks for your patience. </p>

<synchronization>
synchronizing after many years
NewOwl
# synchronizing after many years

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-06-22)

Several years ago, without really understanding the mechanics relating to bitcoin, I believe I might have managed a bit of mining. The "Bitcoin-wallet" and other files, including my wallet.dat file have been sitting on an old PC that I only found during a recent move! So am now playing catch-up and have a few questions (noting that I have copied over the relevant files and wallet.dat to external drives).

When I first tried to open the wallet there was an error/warning about corruption but asked if I wanted to proceed. I did. After updating the time and date of my old PC to today's date/time, the wallet started to work. That is while my wallet indicated that it is "out of sync" and showed a balance of zero, it did start syncing with the network. It is now telling me that it is over 10% done and that are "XYZ" blocks remaining. What does this mean? And will my wallet be updated only when the synchronization is complete?

Also, at towards the top of the wallet is there is a message "alert key comprised, upgrade required"

Thanks for your patience.

**Tags:** synchronization


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-06-22. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

> It is now telling me that it is over 10% done and that are "XYZ" blocks remaining. What does this mean?

The bitcoin network works by continuously adding new blocks onto the blockchain. Each block is full of transactions, and each transaction can be traced back to earlier transactions, creating a verifiable record of ownership for all coins in the system.

So to show your balance, the wallet needs to synchronize with the blockchain, so that it can accurately determine what (if any) coins you own.

> And will my wallet be updated only when the synchronization is complete?

Yes, though if you want to find out your address balance more quickly, you could look up the addresses controlled by the wallet, and then use a block explorer website to check the balance of each individual address. Note that if your wallet has a large list of addresses, this may be a hassle to do.

> Also, at towards the top of the wallet is there is a message "alert key comprised, upgrade required"

This message relates to the retirement of an alert messaging system that was built into the original clients, it is meant to alert you to the fact that the key that allows alert messages to be sent is now publicly known. This is not critical to the function or safety of the wallet.

If you upgrade to a newer version of the client, your sync time may improve greatly (depending on how old the software you're using is). If you post info about what version of the software you're using, someone may be able to provide more help in regards to this.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: This is really helpful thank you.  Apologies, for hitting the wrong button re the helpfulness of your reply, but I think I have now corrected that.  The syncing is 35% complete, so perhaps it is best to wait.  I am also not sure how to read the wallet.dat file.  The software I am using on my old PC is Bitcoin v0.8.1.  
> **username_0**: oops.  I should clarify that I am using V0.8.1-beta for windows. the date on my wallet file is 1/1/2009  

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