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Participating Frequently
May 6, 2022
Question

Issues with Creative Suite 6 Serial Number Activation

  • May 6, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 3915 views

Just re-downloaded Creative Suite 6 Design Standard to install on same iMac I had it on previously (had to erase the HD and reinstall Mac OS so I have to now reinstall my Adobe software).

 

I opened Photoshop and am being asked connect to the internet for 'Serial Number Validation'. I AM connected to the internet but it keeps giving me the message: 'Please connect to the internet and retry. BUT I AM CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET!!

 

I'm stumped as to how to get around this!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

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    2 replies

    John Waller
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 6, 2022

    Try https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/activation-network-issues.html

     

    Particularly solution 2, Resetting your hosts file.

    SmokybluzAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    May 8, 2022

    I tried Solution 1 and got the following results:

    - I see the 2 Adobe logos

    - I do not see 'Creative Cloud and CS6: Test Successful' (I just see 'pong')

     

    I tried Solution 2 and got these results:

    - I dowloaded the 'Limited Access Repair Tool' for Mac and ran the file. 

    - The popup upon completion stated: '0 hosts file entries were fixed! Please restart your Adobe application(s)'

    - it also stated if I continue to experience issues to contat Customer Support.

    - Started up Photoshop and I still got the same Serial No. Verification popup alerting me I'm not connected to the internet (while I'm typing this - online! - clearly ON the internet!!)

     

    I clicked the 'Customer Support' link in the popup which took me to a 404 page that offered no help whatsoever.

     

     

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 8, 2022

    Use the Adobe Cleaner tool to wipe Adobe apps from your system.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

     

    Restart computer. Reinstall your legacy software. CS5 and CS6 are on life support. But they can still be activated providing you have the following:
    1. your original media (disks or downloads) you received at purchase and a way to read them,
    2. a legitimate serial number for that version, language and platform (Win/Mac) and if it was an upgrade, a qualifying serial number from an older product,
    3. an older operating system that can support legacy 32-bit apps.

    Creative Suite installers won't work on macOS Sierra, High Sierra or Mojave without terminal workarounds. See the help article below.
    https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/install-creative-suite-mac-os-sierra.html

     

    Keep in mind that your old software is discontinued & unsupported.  Use at your own risk.  Adobe won't help you.  Only current software is supported.

     

    =============
    Beware of fake Adobe reps who may contact you privately offering to sell you software or take control of your computer. It's a scam, run away! Real Adobe employees will never reach out via Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail or Skype.
    =============
    3 Easy Ways to Identify Genuine Adobe Staff
    https://tinyurl.com/10791730

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 6, 2022

    [Moderator moved from Using the Community (forums) to Download & Install.]

     

    @Smokybluz,
    Which Mac operating system do you have?

     

    To connect to Adobe's servers, your system and browser must support at least TLS 1.2 protocols for security reasons.  See below for more details.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/eol-tls-support.html

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    SmokybluzAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    May 8, 2022

    Mac OS is Mojave 10.14.6. I can't go any higher on this iMac since I need to still be able to use Photoshop CS6 (which I know will BREAK if I upgrade to Catalina).

     

    My default browsers are Safari 14.1.2 and Firefox 100.0. Both are 'up to date' from what my iMac tells me. How do I tell if they support TLS 1.2?? In any case it doesn't seem to work; otherwise I wouldn't get the 'Please connect to the internet and try again' popup.

     

    The 'Serial No. Validation' popup window doesn't even get as far as launching a browser before it states I'm 'not connected to the internet' (despite the fact I most certainly am).

     

    I'd sure appreciate another workaround. I've got a valid serial no. and I paid for this software and want to be able to use it!

     

    John Waller
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 8, 2022