InDesignCS2 rejects the serial number provided for CS2 special "no-activation" versions.

[Guest]

Having successfully d/l'd and installed the "no-activation" CS2 files, I can launch PhotoshopCS2 but InDesignCS2 rejects the serial number provided for these special versions. Any idea how to remedy this glitch?

[Mylenium]

Without proper system information and other details nobody can tell you much.

Mylenium

[Guest]

Win Vista Home Premium 32 bit OS

AMD Athlon 64 3500+

3Gb RAM

My CS2 suite ran fine under this OS previously but due to a system failure and subsequent HD transplant I was required to reactivate the 'ware. However, the CS2 activation server is down & out, so special versions of the CS2 suite are provided with new serial numbers and no activation requirement. After download and installation of the special version, PhotoshopCS2 opens and runs fine and reflects the new serial number in the Help screen. However when launching InDesignCS2 a dialogue headed "Personalize Your Software" pops up asking for Name, Organization & Serial Number. The Name and Organization fields are filled in properly with the info I supplied on installation but the SN is not. I entered the supplied serial number but get a message it is invalid. The instructions with the special download specifically state to use the NEW serial number, which is what I entered, but it always rejects it.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Chipnyman did you remove your previous installation of InDesign CS2 prior to reinstalling?

[Guest]

Yes, Jeff, I uninstalled CS2 completely and did a manual search for any "residual" folders left from the removal (there were a few). To my knowledge there was no trace of CS2 left on my HD prior to installing the special version. There was no option to uninstall the components separately, btw, which is correct a I understand it.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Chipnyman I would recommend utilizing the steps listed in Invalid user name, organization, or serial number error | Production Studio applications (Windows).  You may need to adapt some of the steps as they were originally designed for Windows XP and 2000.

[Guest]

OK, TY for the suggestion, Jeff.

Keep in mind, however that the Photoshop component has no issues. However, there is a light anomaly in that regard as well. The special version download comes with a 24-digit S/N (6 groups of four digits each, separated with hyphens). However, the PhotoshopCS2 help screen displays only 20 of these (the first 5 groups). In trying to get InDesignCS2 to accept the SN I did try the truncated (20-digit) number PSCS2 displays, and even without all the hyphens. No joy in any of those attempts, either.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

That is correct Chipnyman the last 4 digits are not displayed to protect the serial number/software license.  You will want to utilize the serial numbers located with the Creative Suite 2 installers from Error: Activation Server Unavailable | CS2, Acrobat 7, Audition 3.

[Guest]

Looking at the page you linked to, Jeff, it seems to only apply to uses of VCOM software, which I do not use, so other than the re-installation suggestion on that page, it's not applicable to my situation. I did supply ALL the required info (Owner, Organization & S/N) during the installation process, and Photoshop reflects this. InDesign seems to have "captured" all that info save for the S/N, but it rejects the one supplied as invalid.

A thought: It is vaguely possible that the "Insert Disk 2" error which I encountered and solved may have some effect on the installation. This error showed up during my first install attempt. After that attempt, Photoshop was properly installed but InDesign & Illustrator were not. After doing the recommended fix, I again ran the install from the disk1 image of the download, as I had with the initial installation. When the Install Wizard came up it indicated PS was done OK but not InDesign & Illustrator. So at that time I used the supplied options to install ONLY InDesign & Illustrator, as PS was ostensibly already done. The installation then proceeded without issues. Could there be a weakness in the new version installation process that requires that ALL components be installed at the same time? This would be the case except for the known problem of the "Insert Disk 2" glitch.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Chipyman fortunately are installers have improved in subsequent versions of the Creative Suite and now Creative Cloud installer.

Yes the fact that you were unable to write the proper registration may be causing the licensing information to not be applied properly.  Please remove the current installations and reinstall.  You will want to make sure the contents of the second disk, specifically the contents of the installers folder, is located in the same location.  You can find updated extraction instructions at Activation server shut down for Creative Suite 2, Acrobat 7, and Macromedia products

[Guest]

"the fact that you were unable to write the proper registration" -- I'm not sure this is the actual issue but it does seem as if I will need to re-install the whole shebang. Thanks for your time and info, Jeff!

[Guest]

I finally got a chance to do the uninstall & ran into yet another glitch with this "replacement versions" process. I could successfully uninstall the CS2 suite, which was reported to consist of ONLY Photoshop & Image Ready. In the list of programs in Install/Change were InDesign & Illustrator as separate entries, After uninstalling the CS2 apps, I tried the same with the other two but in both cases the process reported that "The Wizard was interrupted...no change was made to your system." No other error codes were reported. This occurred with repeated attempts. So now I have two Adobe apps on my system that I cannot use and that I cannot reinstall because I cannot uninstall the existing apps, which the faulty installer put on my system as separate from CS2.

Seems to me that this stems from the problem that resulted in the "Insert CD2" error in the original installation. After correcting that problem, running the installation again treated InDesign and Illustrator as separate from the overall CS2 Suite, it seems, even though the install process was identical except for the number of options of which apps to install, since Photoshop was already in place.

While I can (I assume) remove the folders and other easily identifiable data sources for the problem apps, I can't do the kind of thorough "cleaning" a Wizard uninstall can do, e.g., registry entries, etc., so a re-installation is questionable.

I got an e-mail from Adobe Support yesterday (prior to trying to uninstall per Jeff's suggestion) asking for a Skype messaging session to troubleshoot the issues but it was completely unhelpful, and was more a sales pitch for a newer version than actual tech support. A lot of verbiage about CS2 no longer being supported. The problem is, it's not the CS2 software I need help with but the forced replacement process, which is a new situation that should be supported, as it was promulgated specifically for legacy users by Adobe. I was told my problem had been kicked up to a "senior support" staff member but have received no contact from that sector as yet.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Chipnyman can you please private message me the details of the Skype contact you received?  We no longer provide chat or phone support for Creative Suite 2 so I am very concerned that someone contacted you on Adobe's behalf.  Do you have a case number from your interaction that I can reference?

From your description it does appear you are facing several difficulties installing Creative Suite 2.  Can you provide a bit more history regarding the situation which lead you to this new computer?  You mentioned you transplanted the drive from a non-working computer to a different computer?  What did that entail?  Also to confirm you are continuing to use Windows Vista on this new computer?

[Guest]

RE: The need to re-activate. About 2 months ago my comp running Win Vista and the CS2 suite simply would not turn on. I am not tech challenged but could not find any reason for this, and so decided to at least attempt to salvage the HD if possible. I was able to install the HD from the defunct comp into a "legacy" chassis & mb I had gathering dust, an older model that had run WinXP, not a screamer of a CPU but still competent. The HD booted just fine to Win Vista, and I could use CS2 fine. But after about 30days, I began getting notices that my version of Windows was "invalid" and I had to reactivate it. MS was very helpful in this regard, which was a little surprising but very welcome. However, this reactivation of Windows is surely what also triggered the need to re-activate CS2. Then I ran into the activation server shut-down issue and that has led me here.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Ok thank you for the additional information.  I agree it is likely when you were in the process of reactivating Windows Vista that the license files got damaged or removed.

I would recommend removing the uninstaller and then if you can also confirm that you have the following folders:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\caps

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SLCache

If you have these folders then please remove them as they contain the licensing information.  I can recall off hand if Creative Suite 2 stores the licensing information in this location so if you can please update this discussion it would be appreciated.

Prior to reinstalling I would recommend re-reviewing Activation server shut down for Creative Suite 2, Acrobat 7, and Macromedia products.  In specific you may want to review the difficulties others have faced with the extraction and installation process.

Also the following updated extraction instructions are found on this discussion thread which are as follows:

Extraction instructions

If you are receiving a message to insert disc two please see the following extraction instructions:

In the English version of the software the file CreativeSuiteCS2Disc2 extracts to C:\Creative Suite\Adobe Creative Suite 2.0\.  CreativeSuiteCS2Disc1 and CreativeSuiteCS2Disc3 both extract to C:\Creative Suite CS2\Adobe Creative Suite 2.0\.

Please copy the contents of the C:\Creative Suite\Adobe Creative Suite 2.0\ folder to the C:\Creative Suite CS2\Adobe Creative Suite 2.0\ folder and you will no longer be prompted to insert disc two.

I would recommend using these specific locations for the extraction to help reduce confusion.

Thank you again for sending over the details regarding your contact via Skype.

[Guest]

"I would recommend removing the uninstaller" -- Please specify how this can be done. I have used both the Control Panel>Remove/Change Programs utility, which should not be removed of course, and Setup.exe in the Creative Suite folder. The Wizard gets interrupted using Remove/Change, and Setup.exe tells me to uninstall InDesign & Illustrator before proceeding, which I am unable to do.

I have no folder C:\Program Files (x86)\

Under C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ I have none of the folders/files you specify.

I am aware of the issue regarding the Disc2 image extracting to a different folder than the other disk images, which leads to the "Insert CD2" prompt, and corrected it per the notes you mention during my initial installation. However, I did not uninstall and then reinstall the ENTIRE suite after making that fix, but directed the Wizard to install only InDesign & Illustrator -- the Wizard recognized that Photoshop was already in place properly. I personally think this is what lead to the problems I am having, because apparently the CS2 Wizard did NOT install InDesign & Illustrator as part of the CS2 suite but as separate entities. Therefore they were not uninstalled when I uninstalled CS2 most recently, and are now left orphaned on my HD, as I cannot uninstall them or use them.

BTW, I want to avoid removing all Adobe references on my comp as I have Reader & Flash Player on board and working well. Other than that, there are no suggestions in the thread you mention that I either haven't tried or are relevant to my situation. But thanks for the link, it made for interesting reading. Seem not a few people are rather irritated over this "solution." I appreciate Adobe wanting to make continued use of legacy 'ware possible, but it seems a truly Byzantine process to get it working.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Chipnyman you are welcome to remove only the Creative Suite 2 application using the uninstaller in the Programs & Features control panel.  Since you were unable to find the locations specified for the licensing file I have no guarantee that removing and reinstalling will allow the licensing information to be removed and then correctly reapplied.

[Guest]

"Chipnyman you are welcome to remove only the Creative Suite 2 application using the uninstaller in the Programs & Features control panel. " -- I have done so, and therein lies the problem. Only the Photoshop & ImageReady apps (CS2 components) were removed, along with the CS2-specific suport components. CS2 no longer resides on my computer. But InDesign & Illustrator, both of which were installed per the instructions given by Adobe, were NOT uninstalled and CANNOT BE uninstalled by any means I have at my disposal. Therefore I am prevented from trying a full re-installation from scratch, which you suggested above.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Chipnyman you can also utilize the steps listed in Manually remove Adobe Creative Suite 2.x | Windows.  You will want to make sure and utilize the appropriate location referenced in Documents and Settings.  In Windows Vista Microsoft changed the location of the Documents and Settings folder, as well as the Application Data folder.

[Guest]

Thanks for that link, Jeff, it looks to be my next step. I admit to being nervous about messing with registry keys, however.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Sorry I didn't offer this document earlier.  The last time I searched for this document it was unavailable.  I am glad that we made it available again. 

You can back up your registry keys prior to making any modifications.  Please make sure to utilize the Export All option.  I am sorry but I don't have access to Windows Vista so I am not able to give more precise instructions.

[Elainedeman]

I am having an identical set of issues but am using Windows 7.  My hard disk died and I am simply trying to get back up to speed on the new one. I have Creative Suite 2 Premium.  PhotoShop is up and seems to be running.  I had the same issues with Install Disk 2 as mentioned above, but was able to resolve them by moving the specified files.  However, I am unable to "personalize" InDesign because the system does not like the serial number.  I have tried the one that came on the original box and the one that was on the link I used to download the programs. Both with and without the hyphens.

I have also been unable to uninstall InDesign and start over as the wizard was interrupted just as it was described above.

I do have folder C:\Program Files (x86)\     But I do not have:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\caps

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SLCache

I do, however, have a folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Licenses      which lists a whole bunch of CSA files.

Not sure where to go from here.  I have adobe folders in C:\Program Files    C:\Program Files (x86)   and I have folders C:\Creative Suite  and C:\ Creative Suits CS2   which is where, I think, all the new files are.

Any thoughts so that I can get back up and running?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Elainedeman I would recommend utilizing the suggestions in this discussion.  If they do not solve your particular error then please start a new discussion.  You can certainly reference this discussion in regards to the steps you have performed.

It will be a lot easier for myself or another member of the community to respond in a new discussion, which contains the specifics of your situation, and provide a clearer resolution.

[Elainedeman]

Thanks Jeff. Will do.

www.kani-ka-pila.com

www.winecountryukefest.com

[Guest · Accepted solution]

Hi, Jeff. Sorry to be so delayed in replying, life does that (heh). Anyway I have successfully re-installed all of CS2 using the files provided and the advice given here. Here is my procedure:

I used the Windows Vista Programs & Features utility to uninstall as much of CS2 as I could, but also had to use the Manually Remove CS2 instructions you linked to above. I did not do the Export All option, only backed up those registry keys I removed per the instructions, but seems as if that was sufficient. The documentation for registry key removal was very specific and useful, though I did not find all the keys listed. I then searched and scoured my drive for any remnants of CS2, found a few folders with preference-specific files which I backed up in case I wanted to use them after re-installation.

I clicked on the first of the downloaded .exe files (CreativeSuiteCS2Disc1.exe), which eventually led to opening the CS2 Install Wizard. This time through I cancelled the installation at this point, because to proceed would duplicate my earlier install attempt that failed. After this extraction finished, I clicked on the second of the downloaded files (CreativeSuiteCS2Disc2.exe) and pointed the extracted files to C:\Creative Suite CS2\Adobe Creative Suite 2.0\ -- this is the location recommended in the note about getting the "Insert Disk 2" message. After closing this extraction I then clicked on the last of the downloaded files (CreativeSuiteCS2Disc3.exe) and extracted the remaining necessary files.

After extracting the files, I then clicked on the Setup.exe file in C:\Creative Suite CS2\Adobe Creative Suite 2.0 and the installation proceeded. Three times during the installation an error message came up stating "The operation cannot continue." due to the failure of program ahc.exe. However this did not seem to actually interrupt the installation, so I used the "Close the program" option in the pop-up dialog. Turns out this error seems to related to some problem with Adobe Reader (I have it fully updated), perhaps because the new Reader version is slightly incompatible with the CS2 installer. In any case, Setup.exe completed and I can now use my CS2 files.

To recap, the main change I made to install process is to not use the Wizard that opens after extracting CreativeSuiteCS2Disc1.exe, point the extraction of CreativeSuiteCS2Disc2.exe to the proper directory (which was created in the extraction of the first archive), and use Setup.exe. This seems to insure that all the components are installed simultaneously and the new S/N is accepted by all.

Also please note that in the PDF posted with the files to be downloaded (CS2_install_Win.pdf), it is recommended that the "Install Later" option be used, to allow full extraction prior to installation. However, this option was not presented to me, which is why I made the changes to the installation process that I did, which extracted everything prior to doing the installation.

I hope this helps others who encounter this issue.