re-activating CS3 under Mac OS

[robertjag]

I have looked thru the existing threads on this subject and so far nothing has helped.

The CS3 activation servers have been 'retired' and so the sequence of events to get CS3 working again, as I understand them, is:

- delete the old installation

- use the Adobe Cleaner tool

- submit the old serial online and receive a new one

- download a new installer that doesn't require activation

- reinstall the app

Having done all this, a dialog box still appears asking for activation. So it ends up being an endless loop.

I'm never able to enter the new serial number, or somehow bypass the activation dialog.

There is also a help page about removing a 'cache.db' file, however that's also been removed on my system, yet the problem persists. There is, in fact, no such directory of /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache/ let alone a 'cache.db' file in that directory.

HELP!

[Jeffrey_A_Wright · Accepted solution]

Robertjag you are correct you do need to locate the cache.db file if you wish to utilize the new serial number.  If you did not discover the cache folder then it was likely you were browsing to the User Library folder as opposed to the Library folder located at the root of the drive.

If you continue to face difficulties then can you please post a screen shot of the /Library/Application Support/Adobe folder?

[robertjag]

There is no Application Support directory in the /System/Library directory.

The only Application Support directory is in /[User]/Library/

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Robertjag please go to the Library located at the Root of the drive.  Do not browse into the System folder or the Users folder.  This is where you will locate /Library/Application Support/Adobe folder.

[robertjag]

thanks for the quick replies and clarification! that did the trick.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Thanks for the confirmation Robertjag!

[michaelf77990899]

I had the same problem and this solved it for me as well. Thanks.

[Noah Freedman]

Jeff_A_Wright, thanks for that hint.  You solved my problem!  I was even able to pass it on to an Adobe support guy who had been trying to help 😉

[toddm30304708]

awesome....this was driving me crazy and finally a solution. Thank You!

[kingandrew@iprimus.com.au]

Not a solution for me, I regret. I have gone through the steps described above, obtaining a new password in the process. When I attempt to open a CS3 application, I am asked for my password, but am unable to enter it, as it contains a number of letters (in fact, more letters than numbers!). The empty password boxes will only accept numbers! Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.