Skip to main content
N
Narmitaj
Participant
December 19, 2014
Question

How to activate CS3 after HDD crash? Error 159:18, reinstalling did not help.

  • December 19, 2014
  • 1 reply
  • 854 views

I am unable to re-activate CS3 after a hard drive crash, despite complete re-installation of the software.

I have: MacBook Pro 2008, OSX 10.6.8, CS3 Master Collection.

I had a hard drive crash and had to restore from Time Machine. On previous occasions when that happened, I have been able to re-open and activate CS3 with no problem. This time I got "we are unable to activate Adobe CS3 MC" message, error code 159:18. I contacted Adobe by Chat, they recommended uninstalling and then re-installing CS3 from my original disks or http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs3-product-downloads.html

. I did that, but I got the exact same message and error code. After that, Adobe Chat could not help and pointed me here.

CS3 has worked fine for six years on this same laptop, even after several HDD crashes and restores from Time Machine. It does not appear to be simply a Time Machine-caused error. (Furthermore, if I startup my laptop from a cloned bootable backup external drive, CS3 still opens.)

Could it be a hard disk problem, the same one that has caused previous crashes?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    1 reply

    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 19, 2014

    do not use time machine to install adobe programs.

    uninstall everything installed using time machine, clean (Use the CC Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems | CC, CS3-CS6) and then properly install using the installation files.

    Downloads available:

    Download and installation help for Adobe links

    Download and installation help for Prodesigntools links are listed on most linked pages.  They are critical; especially steps 1, 2 and 3.  If you click a link that does not have those steps listed, open a second window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.

    window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.

    N
    NarmitajAuthor
    Participant
    December 20, 2014

    I am afraid I tried uninstalling, cleaning (using the tool at http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs5-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html - there was only one CS3 item left to clean that I could see) and then properly reinstalling using the installation files, as suggested, did not work. I get the same message: "We are unable to activate Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection." Error code: 159:18 .

    So what does Error code 159:18 mean? The message is not very specific as to the problem. Googling, I find this thread is already the first result.

    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 20, 2014

    you'll need to check the installation logs to find the cause of the problem, Troubleshoot with install logs | CS5, CS5.5, CS6, CC

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