Re: bitcoin core wallet backup and wallet.dat file question. how to confirm?
thank you all. this is very helpful.
so if i want to from scratch i get a separate laptop, load btc core on there from a flashdrive (no internet) and then restore the wallet to that new instance of btc core? if the wallet name shows up in btc core, there the backup worked? is that correct?
It depends: it doesn't hurt to be overly thorough and start from scratch to see if you can restore everything from just the backup you made on a USB stick. I've actually done that years ago, but I don't do it anymore. It helped me believe my backup was enough 
Note that a few more backups is better, just in case the USB stick breaks (after a while). I prefer to use different brands.
Note that a few more backups is better, just in case the USB stick breaks (after a while). I prefer to use different brands.
so if i want to from scratch i get a separate laptop, load btc core on there from a flashdrive (no internet) and then restore the wallet to that new instance of btc core? if the wallet name shows up in btc core, there the backup worked? is that correct?