CS3 Temporary Activation has Expired Message

[leoniet24537814]

I am receiving a temporary activation has expired message when trying to open my CS3 applications.

When I try to 'Re-Activate' using the 're-Activate' button at the bottom of the error screen I get an Activation error that I have no connection, which I clearly do as I am on the internet now.   There is a comment about HTTPS and that it might not work behind some firewalls and that I should check my Proxy settings or consult my system administrator.   What would I be checking the Proxy settings for?

After following the links on the Adobe site (regarding Adobe's aging activation servers):

What are my options?     

Provide your current CS3 or Acrobat 8 serial number for either of these options:

• Upgrade to the latest and greatest! Take advantage of this special offer to upgrade to Creative Cloud (CS3 owners) or Acrobat DC (Acrobat 8 owners). Get the world’s best creative tools or PDF solution – including mobile applications, cloud-based storage, and free updates – at an amazingly low price.
• Receive a new serial number and installer  Get a new serial number and installer so you can reinstall CS3 or Acrobat 8 applications successfully. These special versions do not require activation.

I sign into my Adobe account, enter my serial number and am presented with a new serial number to use with the 'special version of the app provided below'.  I record the number then continue to uninstall my existing version.

I then use the chart at the bottom of the page to download the replacement CS3 Installer and I download both the files for the English International, Universal language options (and yes my cookies have been cleared and are enabled and my laptop has everything required.

Once the CS3 Design Standard has been downloaded, I open it and follow the setup instructions.   The files load and the install prompts me to click the 'Finish' button. 

- It might be interesting to note I have not been prompted for my new serial number at any point along the way.

I open my Applications folder and click on the one of the CS3 applications (Photoshop) and low and behold even with the replacement installer I am presented with the exact same error message I had in the beginning, the activation error.

I am now in a continual loop and am still unable to use my CS3 apps, quite frustrating.  Can you help??

Thanks. LT

[kglad · Accepted solution]

uninstall cs3 (using the uninstaller)

clean per http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs5-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

remove the cache.db file from Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache/

restart your computer

install the cs3 you got from here, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/activation-fails-cs3-acrobat-8.html

if that fails read this, https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2385900

[leoniet24537814]

kglad,

Thanks for your reply.  I am working on a Mac not a PC.  I followed our instructions and it still didn't work, this time after the install I received an error message:

      Setup Error

      Setup has encountered an error and cannot continue. Contact Adobe Customer Support for assistance.

I went to your link if it fails but that is for PCs not Macs so I am still stuck in the same loop!

LT

[kglad]

use finder to search and/or see if this helps, https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2385900

[leoniet24537814]

Unfortunately I am still stuck!  Seems like Macs may have additional requirements.

I searched and uninstalled / removed everything I could find, followed the steps but still no luck.  Thanks for your comments, I am hoping someone from Adobe can help, if they call 

LT

[kglad]

adobe doesn't support cs3.

if someone offered to call you (esp via skype), it's a scam.

[leoniet24537814]

Wow, thanks for that heads up.  

So looks like that lack of support from Adobe now deems my CS3 unusable, maybe a scam from them for me re-purchase the product.

I appreciate your help on the scam.

Warmest regards,

LT

[kglad]

you're welcome.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

LT are you still facing difficulties utilizing Creative Suite 3?   Were you able to implement the steps listed in Resolve "temporary activation expired" error for CS3 and Acrobat 8 ?

[leoniet24537814]

Jeff,

Thank you for your message.

I had found the link you provided earlier today, it included the detail of how to remove the cache file for the Mac which was very helpful and I was able to install CS3 and open almost all of the apps.

I was unable to open Acrobat 8, it is asking for a serial number when I open the app and is not accepting the new serial number used for CS3.  The link you provided states that I should not be prompted for a serial number if I successfully open Photoshop first, which I did.

Additional Information - from your link

• Launch Photoshop CS3 first to license the installed Creative Suite 3 software titles. If you launch Acrobat 8 first, you receive a prompt to enter a serial number which is not required if Photoshop is successfully launched first.
• After you install Creative Suite 3, and Acrobat 8, you can reinstall and activate other Adobe software.

I am almost there, but not quite.  Any additional information would be appreciated.

Thank you.

LT

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Thanks for the update LT.  Yes you are correct Photoshop CS3 should be licensing Acrobat 8.  I am not sure why that did not occur.

There are a number of issues with attempting to use Acrobat 8 on macOS 10.12.  I would recommend you post in Installing, Updating, & Subscribing to Acrobat forum.  The community in that forum will be more familiar with any compatibility, or installation errors, with using Acrobat 8 on macOS Sierra or later.

[katys20313849]

I am having this exact same issue.  I can't "deactivate" my old serial number because I can't even get into the programs. Uninstalled, reinstalled, still old serial number.  Any solution yet?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Katys20313849 are you unable to use Acrobat 8 or Creative Suite 3?  Please make sure the follow the steps offered by Kglad in message #1 of this discussion.  If you are using the new installation files, and receiving an activation error, then you have failed to remove the cache.db file.  As long as this file continues to exist you will be unable to utilize the new installation of Creative Suite 3 or Acrobat 8 successfully.