Quote from: Primrose on November 29, 2013, 09:53:57 PM

Quote from: DeathAndTaxes on November 29, 2013, 08:14:07 PM

You sure you have private keys and not addresses?

Address (note the begins with one and is generally shorter than a private key):
14CD3Ra5yMjWaEA3HTX5nAqvYb8sSjMheJ

Private Key (one format could be in an alternate form):
5KEWNTr5Jsk4H147KkNE2NZTg9zXESU5m6rmibfJQMvMswL6WiZ

If you have private key.
1) Don't share it with anyone. Access to private key = ownership for all practical intents and purposes. If you give someone the private key so they can help and they steal your coins they are probably gone.
2) As indicated above you can import the private key into any wallet, even a new QT client wallet, an eWallet, or a different client and gain access to the funds.

If you have the address not the private key then you have nothing. Addresses are public knowledge. The private key is what allows the owner (and nobody else) to spend/move coins.

Hi everyone

Thanks for your replies.
I really appreciate all of your input.
I am learning here, so it's all good.
I have a 34 digit/letter long string of numbers and letters, so, it looks as if I still have a wallet with a glass door, where I can see my coins but not get at them.

Please could you tell me how to access the private key?
I have another bitcoin wallet, and this time I have the passphrase written in several places, electronically and the good olde fashioned pen and paper way.

How could I see my private key in the wallet that is not locked?

Thanks

34 digit long? hm..It seems the OP only has the address.
If you have no idea what your passphrase is, your btc is probably forever lost.
If you have "some idea" what your passphrase is, try again with Cap Lock / Num Lock on and off.