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Participant
April 21, 2017
Answered

CS4 - License suddenly invalid and registered products gone from Adobe acc?

  • April 21, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1493 views

Background: I got Master Collection CS4 from an education/academic reseller around 2011, installed it on my Vista laptop and registered it, and had no problems with it at all. When I replaced the laptop earlier this year with a Windows 10 system, I checked my Adobe account for the serial numbers for CS4 and Acrobat 9, downloaded the installation files and installed and activated without no problems. I've used several programs in the suite since and everything worked as it always has.

A week or so ago, Win10 installed a major update, and the next day when I tried to start Photoshop, instead the licensing/activation screen came up, asking for either a serial number or to start a 30 day trial. When I re-entered the original serial, it was reported invalid. I looked on the forums and it seemed to be a common problem, particularly after updates, so I started following one solution Error: "Licensing for this product has expired" | Adobe Creative Suite 5, Adobe Creative Suite 4 (reset the system clock to Jan 1 2006 in the hope that I could start the software, deactivate the license, and then re-enter it), but Photoshop just put up the activation dialog instead. I ran the LicensingTool (Error: "Licensing has stopped working" | Windows ) and followed the instructions (which I understood can repair/refresh the database files or then clear the license if that doesn't work), but no change. I was then going to move on to the next solution, but decided to check my Adobe account just to make sure I had the serial correct - I found that both of my registered products had disappeared from the account. When I tested registering the serials, the CS4 one again said it was invalid and the Acrobat one said it was already registered (by me originally, I assume?).

I wasn't too concerned (as there's plenty of troubleshooting advice like the above for corrupted installations etc.) until this point, but it makes no sense that the registered product info was erased, no matter what problems the software on my machine has. I contacted chat support, and the agent confirmed the license was invalid - they also checked my alternate email just in case an Adobe ID had been created for it and the registered products had ended up there, but that wasn't the case and there was nothing more they could do. In the end, I have what should be a working copy of CS4 with a suddenly invalid license and no evidence that I even registered it (and I don't think my original receipt for CS4 came with me when I moved to a new country)!

Is there anything that can be done? I heard that Adobe might be cancelling some types of previously issued licenses for CS4-6 - is that why the license is suddenly invalid and the registered product information vanished from my account?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jeffrey_A_Wright

    Justinl37494306 I reviewed your interaction with our support team, under case 0221772925, and I can confirm that the serial number you provided was not valid.  Creative Suite 4 serial numbers will consist of 24 digits.  You provided eight digits and several asterisks in the chat session.

    As suggested by our support team please look for a proof of purchase or contact the original reseller to see if you can locate the serial number they provided to you with your purchase.  If you think of any additional alternate e-mail addresses or phone numbers, that the software may have been registered under, then please don't hesitate to contact our support team directly at Contact Customer Care​.

    For additional details regarding Creative Suite serial numbers see Find your serial number​.

    1 reply

    Jeffrey_A_Wright
    Community Manager
    Jeffrey_A_WrightCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    April 21, 2017

    Justinl37494306 I reviewed your interaction with our support team, under case 0221772925, and I can confirm that the serial number you provided was not valid.  Creative Suite 4 serial numbers will consist of 24 digits.  You provided eight digits and several asterisks in the chat session.

    As suggested by our support team please look for a proof of purchase or contact the original reseller to see if you can locate the serial number they provided to you with your purchase.  If you think of any additional alternate e-mail addresses or phone numbers, that the software may have been registered under, then please don't hesitate to contact our support team directly at Contact Customer Care​.

    For additional details regarding Creative Suite serial numbers see Find your serial number​.

    Participant
    April 21, 2017

    Hi Jeff,

    Thanks for your reply - I'm not sure why the transcript shows "eight digits and several asterisks", but it's good that you confirm that a valid serial key should be 24 digits, given that's what I actually typed in to the chat. Can I PM you the 24-digit serial key?

    Jeffrey_A_Wright
    Community Manager
    Community Manager
    April 21, 2017

    Certainly Justinl37494306 I am happy to review your serial number via private message.

    For future viewers of this discussion if you face any doubts regarding your serial number then please contact our support team directly at Contact Customer Care​.