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rw8990925
Participating Frequently
February 19, 2017
Question

I've got the "Invalid Serial Number" Blues

  • February 19, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 1077 views

So add me to the long list of those who have complained about how a program that has been used for years can suddenly end up with a serialkey that is invalid. My program is legit. I've had my Photoshop CS4 Extended for over 7  years and I've reinstalled it many times after reformatting the pc without a single problem...that is until today after I reformatted. Then when I contact Adobe they say they can't help me if I don't still have the receipt. Who in the world keeps receipts for over 7 years?!? Only a hoarder would still be hanging on to receipts that are nearly 10 years old! So what's the deal...how are they getting away with this? After searching through the forums it's clear that this has been happening for years. Isn't there anything anyone can do about this...someone to file a complaint with?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    T
    TanujSandal
    Inspiring
    February 27, 2017

    Moving to Downloading, Installing, Setting Up​

    gener7
    Community Expert
    gener7Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 19, 2017

    Did you ever register your serial number with Adobe? It would then be under your account and proof that it's yours. Everytime I purchased a product, I would go in and do just that. I have serial numbers going back to CS2 on file with them. I never trust that I will have the papers for cs4 9 years after I got it.

    That's barn door/horses now, but you can try downloading the CS4 installer and trying the serial number on it. Discs go bad after a while.

    Download Adobe Creative Suite 4 (CS4) products

    R
    rw8990925Author
    Participating Frequently
    February 20, 2017

    I did register my program but the problem is that I've had a number of server's over the years and until I wised up and got Gmail I would use the server's address for my email. I can't remember all the addresses I've had. I am in the process now of looking through my records trying to find some thing that contains any old email addresses. I'm not too hopeful that I'll find anything though.

    I do understand their position. I do understand that the world is full of dishonest people. I guess the main reason I'm so upset is because I know I'm not one of them and I can't prove it.  When I first posted I had just finished speaking with a representative and I was extremely upset.  I've calmed down since and I'm seeing things a bit differently. I'm still sad over losing my program but I do see where their coming from.

      Jeffrey_A_Wright
      Jeffrey_A_Wright
      Legend
      February 28, 2017

      Rw8990925 I am sorry that you are facing difficulty locating your Creative Suite 4 serial number.  I would recommend contacting our support team directly with any alternate e-mail addresses or phone numbers you may have used to register the software.  You can contact our support team directly at Contact Customer Care .

      You mentioned that you used multiple addresses.  Maybe you will be lucky and the registration will be under the first couple e-mail addresses or phone numbers? 

      You can find more details on how to locate registered Adobe serial numbers at Find your serial number​.

      c.pfaffenbichler
      Community Expert
      c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 19, 2017

      You may want of check out other Fora.

      Photoshop Family Customer Community

      Creative Suites

      Adobe Licensing

      Error: "The serial number is not valid for this product" | Adobe Creative Suite

      Then when I contact Adobe they say they can't help me if I don't still have the receipt.

      Through which channel exactly did you contact them?

      Who in the world keeps receipts for over 7 years?!? Only a hoarder would still be hanging on to receipts that are nearly 10 years old!

      For tax purposes keeping documentation of business expenses for seven years seems normal (not in all countries, though, I guess).

      Anyway, are you claiming seven years is too long a time to keep business records but expect Adobe to do just that?

      Edit: You did state »over 7« …

      R
      rw8990925Author
      Participating Frequently
      February 20, 2017

      I am not a business and  I did not anticipate that I would need a receipt that was nearly a decade old.

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