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neptune58
Inspiring
August 13, 2017
Answered

Need help please. Unable to enter new Serial Number for CS3

  • August 13, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 9292 views

Hello, I have a copy of CS3 that I bought around 2007/2008. I have had it installed on this machine for about a year now. And now it is asking me to register it, and says it will expire in 2 day. However I am unable to connect to re-register it. So I went here Obtain a new serial number | CS3, CS4  and got a new Serial Number to use when registering it.

However the problem In now having is that when I open Dreamweaver and select register, there is no place to enter the new Serial Number. It does not give me the option. The only option seems to be 'Reactivate', but no place to enter the new serial number. It then tries to connect to the server and then fails. It seems im stuck in a loop.

Do I need to uninstall and then reinstall in order to enter the new Serial Number?

Could someone please help assist. Very much appreciated.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer neptune58

    Adobe no longer supports CS6 (except install issues if you use the "previous program" process to use CS6 with a Cloud account) so I very seriously doubt that you will receive any support at all for CS3

    As far as what used to work... Owners of old programs simply have problems with Windows 10... none of which is Adobe's fault... Adobe did not change your old program to make it stop working... Microsoft changed their operating system and THAT is why your old program won't work, not because of anything Adobe did... Also... every time Microsoft issues a Win10 update, there is the risk that an old program that HAS been working after the initial Win10 upgrade will STOP working... bottom line, old programs require a matching old operating system


    Hello John T Smith.

    Wow. Great answer.

    So why has DwCs3 been working on my win10 machine without any issues for the last 2 years? And why is my Dreamweaver CS3 now all the sudden asking to re-register it? Why would win10 care if it was registered ? Plus the fact that I "dont care about support" I just want my old ($300.00) CS3 version to work. I have had it since 2007 and nothing much has ever changed so who cares about updates and support. I am only using it to change simple code, such as pictures and buttons.

    your reply makes no sense. Plus why have others with the same issue here had the same issue resolved?

    I will be contacting Adobe Corp. As this is totally unacceptable. And this forum is, I am sorry very lame.

    3 replies

    A
    Anonymous
    August 26, 2017

    Thank you for help 

    ______________________

    MP

    [Moderator removed URL]

    John T Smith
    Community Expert
    John T SmithCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 14, 2017

    The special serial number you obtained will, of course, only work with the special program that you download and install... after removing all traces of your previous CS3... did you do that?

    Also, CS3 is really old, and may not work properly on Win10

    Two ideas that MAY work to install and/or run old programs in Windows 10

    -RIGHT click the program icon or EXE and select a compatibility mode in the pop up option window

    -or Run as Administrator http://forums.adobe.com/thread/969395 to assign FULL Windows permissions may help... says Encore, but sometimes required for ALL Adobe programs (this is NOT the same as using an Administrator account)

    N
    neptune58Author
    Inspiring
    August 14, 2017

    Hi John,

    When I got the new Serial Number that was all I did was obtain it. When I tried reinstalling DW there was a place to enter the new number so that was all I did.

    When you say the serial number only works with the special program that you download and install,what do you mean? can you expand on that please?

    I have been using CS3 on this machine which is only about 2 years old now for 2 years without any issues until now.

    CS3 is working fine except for that message "You have 1 day left to re-activate the software".

    So here is where I am at currently:

    1: If  I go to Add/Remove Programs, and try to do an uninstall of Dreamweaver, I get this message "WIndows cannot find c\program (x86)\common

    2: I tried re-downloading the AdobeCreativeCloudCleaner Tool and attempted to run it. When I get to where I select the program you want to remove CS3, I get t his message, "There are no sessions to delete, cleaner will now close".

    3: If I open Dreamweaver, it still Opens and works with the exception of the message that I have 1 day left to re-register.

    I really need to get this fixed asap as we have been using our copy of CS3 for years now to support our Website and I need to make some updates and changes to our website.

    Please help... thanks in advance,

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 14, 2017

    See the answer to this:

    Re-activating CS3 (Updated)

    You will need the replacement installer + new serial number that does not require activation.

    That said, CS3 is not certified to run on Win10.

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 13, 2017

    For best results, you should remove all traces of the old CS3 from your system with the CS Cleaner tools below.

    Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems​

    Some people have reported that removing the cache.db from Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache/  helps remove the activation countdown.

    Enter replacement serial number.

    When prompted to register, select Never Register.

    Close & reboot your computer.

    Nancy

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
      N
      neptune58Author
      Inspiring
      August 14, 2017

      Hi I found the cache.db file and was able to delete it. I was then able to enter the 'new' Serial number. I then rebooted, but when I reopened DW I got the same message that I will be unable to use the program in 2 days. I also chose never register.

      I then tried downloading the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool and ran it. At the end of the program, it gave me a message "Adobe CS4 Cleanup tool stopped working, a problem has occurred causing the program to stop working. The only option was to click the close program button.

      I also tried uninstalling from Windows Programs, then reinstalled. That did not work either.

      Fyi I am running Windows 10.

      Any help is greatly appreciated.

      Preran
      Community Manager
      PreranCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      August 14, 2017

      Moving your post to the DISU forum. The experts here may have additional guidance for you.

      Thanks,

      Preran

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