Skip to main content
S
shannak60968111
New Participant
February 7, 2019
Question

Serial number issue upgrading from CS3 extended to CS4

  • February 7, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 1792 views

Below is the interaction with the chat agent which should explain the problem I'm having.

Hello Shanna, How may i help you today?

I am trying to reinstall Photoshop CS4, an upgrade version, on a new laptop as the previous laptop has stopped working. I am upgrading from CS3 extended. This is the third time in the 10 years since we purchased these products that I've had problems with the reinstall. The case number from the first time is 203006828. I don't see a case number for the second time on 05/10/12, but I do have a printout of the conversation with the two support people. I just want to install the product that I paid for, but it keeps saying that my CS3 extended serial number is invalid.

As we understood, you need help with the installation and activation of CS3.

Did I understand your issue correctly?

No, CS3 extended installs just fine, but when I try to install the upgrade to CS4 it says the serial number for CS3 extended is invalid, which makes it so I can't install CS4.

Shanna CS4 and CS3 are pretty old version of Applications which are no longer supported over chat or phone.

I get that, but I purchased them and should be able to use them. I have all the discs, boxes, etc. Are you telling me that because they're old I'm just out of luck?

Sorry, but a different team handles your question. Chat with them here: [https://forums.adobe.com/welcome]

Your solution is to point me to a forum?

How is anyone on a forum going to help me with a serial number problem?

We do have this team available for legacy products. Please send in your query on forums and you'll certainly get help over forum.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    February 7, 2019

    CS4 Support and activation servers were decommissioned a while ago. The only way to activate CS4 is using the code generator and activating offline.

    You probably have too many licenses installed and need to deactivate in order to continue.

    This page has links to assist with the Server Unable to Connect and deactivating your licenses.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/activate-deactivate-products.html

    Sahil.Chawla
    Community Manager
    Sahil.ChawlaCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 7, 2019

    Hi Shannak,

    Sorry to hear that, however, the chat did not post correctly. Could you please provide some details about the issue, that we can help you out?

    Regards,
    Sahil

    S
    shannak60968111Author
    New Participant
    February 7, 2019

    I purchased CS3 extended a number of years ago.  A couple of years after that I bought the upgrade to CS4.  Both versions recognize their own serial numbers as valid.  However, when I try to install CS4 it always tells me the CS3 extended serial number is invalid.  I've gone through customer support every time I've had to reinstall it and they do a challenge and response code.  Now, however they say that they are no longer supporting it.  So I'm stuck with a program that I paid for and can no longer use.

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    February 7, 2019

    The chat is correct- Adobe no longer supports CS3 or 4 and the activation servers have been disabled.

    This is the brutal truth about software - it does not last forever and eventually will break - most likely from hardware/software updates or in this case antiquated licensing servers.

    Here are your options:

    Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

    You can use this server to generate a response code:

    Offline Activation

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices