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martym44177664
Participating Frequently
October 30, 2017
Answered

Windows 10 update deactivated my CS3. Support won't help me.

  • October 30, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 2845 views

Hello. My pc did a large Windows 10 update last week. After the update, I opened CS3 to find it had been deactivated. I clicked on the (activate online option) as always and it said no connection. I clearly have a connection but it wouldn't activate. Over the weekend I lost use of my software. I contacted adobe through chat last night, after waiting over 2 hours for an agent. Simply put, it was a nightmare, as was todays telephone conversation with support. In the chat last night, the man wanted full access to my computer. All I was asking for was the authorization code that the software was now asking for. He had me uninstall my CS3 and reinstall from a link he gave me. He also had me request a new activation code. I did both, and no change. It says invalid code. I told that to the man on the phone this morning and he just tried to sell me the new version, and said he couldn't help me with mine, because they no longer offered support for it.  I've always had a licensed version of CS3 on my pc, and it wants a new code. He refused to assist me with this after another hour on the phone with him, and told me to search the forums for an answer. I could have never imagined after all that, that he wouldn't just simply give me a working code. I'm stuck now, and I'm losing money every second that this software won't work.....can anyone help? I simply can't believe this is the support I've received from a product I purchased and have used for years.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jeffrey_A_Wright

    Jeff, I purchased a new drive last night and I'm going to use this opportunity to start fresh and have a larger drive. I haven't done any Windows updates yet, other than drivers, so do you recommend installing from my DVD as usual, or downloading the link I received through Adobe chat along with the new activation code.


    Marty if you are installing on a fresh installation of Windows then please use the serial number and installation files available at Download Adobe Creative Suite 3 products.   The installation files, and serial number, you received with your purchase will no longer activate since the activation server was shut down.

    If you are installing on a clean installation of Windows then there should be no need to remove the cache.db file Marty.  I would still recommend bookmarking Resolve "temporary activation expired" error for CS3 and Acrobat 8 which offers links to other helpful documents regarding errors that you may experience.

    1 reply

    cmgap
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 30, 2017

    Hi Marty - sorry to hear that you went through that trouble! CS3 is fourteen years old and definitely not supported anymore. How old is your PC? Isn't Windows 10 run on 64bit? CS3 will not work on 64bit systems... maybe a Windows user can come up with an idea? What applications are you using for work?

    martym44177664
    Participating Frequently
    October 30, 2017

    It has worked on this Windows 10 PC for the last 4 years with no issues. It even worked after the latest update last week, but it was deactivated and I was given 5 days to try to reactivate, which I did numerous times online, but with no luck. It says I have no connection. I applied for a new activation code, and when I enter it, it says invalid.

    John T Smith
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 30, 2017

    You must use the new serial number AND the special install program, your original installer will not 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