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MCP Media
Participant
September 30, 2019
Question

Owned macromedia suite license for 14 years but now it won't open cuz it wants me to renew adobe sub

  • September 30, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 180 views

I've used macromedia products for a very long time, it's one of the few professional softwares I have purchased. Adobe has some good stuff too but it's overkill. So I have been happily using fireworks without a problem for 14 years. I used the Adobe subscription for a while, but let it expire. Now, my macromedia products which are paid in full, are throwing up a prompt to update my billing for the adobe suite, and I an no longer access the software I purchased 14 years ago.

This is an extremely unethical business practice. Customer service told me to come here, a community forum, instead of helping me.

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    1 reply

    A
    Anonymous
    October 7, 2019

    Solution (sort of):

    1. Install VirtualBox on your computer (it's free software available for Windows and Mac);
    2. Start the VirtualBox virtual machine and install Ubuntu* (an operating system based on Debian Linux, also free);
    3. Once inside Ubuntu in the virtual machine install Wine* (again, free).
    4. Lastly, using Wine install your Macromedia/Adobe software and use the serial you got when you bought the software.
    5. To be able to access your files from the virtual machine you need to enable some sharing features.

     

    * For the Ubuntu and Wine software sites use Google and search for those words, they are top result for both of them. You can visit the WineHQ app database to check for compatibility of your software with Linux.

     

    I realize this isn't a full tutorial on how to do it, but with a bit of research you can make the software running on your computer without too many hiccups.

    I own Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 and run it fine under Ubuntu (I run Ubuntu as a native operating system though, not in a virtual machine).

     

    I have used it on Windows 10 for a while but after about a month of use the software keeps prompting me saying my trial has run out and asks me for my serial and when I close Fireworks and reopen it then it will ask it again; it doesn't store the serial anymore.

    I can't really blame Adobe for these issues, they didn't make the software, Macromedia did. But even if they were still Macromedia, the software is written for a certain operating system and when that expires so does support for the software. If it weren't like that then these companies would have to provide lifetime support and that's simply not economically viable.

     

    Hope this helps!

     

    P.s. Just happened to stumble on this forum clicking a link in Fireworks MX 2004 Help documentation leading me here; I haven't logged in here in years, haven't posted in over a decade! I used to be a regular here.

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