Skip to main content
R
richardw63821054
Participating Frequently
July 7, 2016
Answered

CS3 activation

  • July 7, 2016
  • 1 reply
  • 871 views

Hello, Been running CS3 on my laptop for some while. I updated my windows 10 and now PS requires an activation code. I have tried chatline and told CS3 is too old and they cant or won't help. Wow. As I use the programme spasmodically the suggestion to spend US$10.00 per month seems rather a waste of money. All I want to do is use the programme I paid good money for. Looking at the program it has the serial number in it the activation code etc visable.  I note that this question has been asked by others before with no answer so I am not sure whether the forum knows the answer or like chatline.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Terri Stevens

    Hi Richard,

    If the activation on your old laptop is still in place, even though not in use, then this can prevent you from installing on another machine. This happens a lot and clearly you can't fix it yourself by deactivating the old machine, so use the link below, go down to the chat applet at the bottom and you'll be able to talk live to an Adobe tech. Just tell them you have had a system failure and need your old machine deactivating on their system. They do this a lot and afterwards with any luck you'll be able to install on the new machine. Hope it goes ok.

    Contact Customer Care

    1 reply

    Terri Stevens
    Terri Stevens
    Legend
    July 7, 2016

    I don't understand this Richard. To use CS3 you need a serial number and will need to activate Photoshop from within the program. As far as I'm aware there is no activation code so are you getting a message telling you that one is necessary? If your CS3 was upgraded from CS2 then you will require the CS2 serial as well to establish you are qualified to use the upgrade. Could you post further information about the messages you are receiving? The exact wording can sometimes be critical. CS3 is nine years old and was never designed or tested with Windows 8 let alone Windows 10. Unfortunately sometimes when you update your OS you are going to have to upgrade software as well and this may be the source of your problem. Having said that CS3 is run by others on Windows 10 but this can be fiddly to get to work.

    R
    richardw63821054Author
    Participating Frequently
    July 7, 2016

    Terri

    Below are the messages I get As you can see from the last one there is an activation code already.

    My last laptop Toshiba did give up the ghost without warning and consequently I did not deactivate. I bought this in Dubai when I lived there and think it was either 2008 or 09. However as far as I can remember in the past after activation it would signal me to activate and when I tried it would confirm it was already activated.

    Very frustrating as I have just joined the local Hermanus photographic society and wouldn’t you know it the tools you want pack in.

    Windows 10 is okay but DOS was even better.

    Cheers Richard.

    Terri Stevens
    Terri StevensCorrect answer
    Legend
    July 7, 2016

    Hi Richard,

    If the activation on your old laptop is still in place, even though not in use, then this can prevent you from installing on another machine. This happens a lot and clearly you can't fix it yourself by deactivating the old machine, so use the link below, go down to the chat applet at the bottom and you'll be able to talk live to an Adobe tech. Just tell them you have had a system failure and need your old machine deactivating on their system. They do this a lot and afterwards with any luck you'll be able to install on the new machine. Hope it goes ok.

    Contact Customer Care

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices