Skip to main content
M
Marieluise261188279cqv
Known Participant
September 24, 2022
Answered

My old Acrobat refuses its key after re-installation

  • September 24, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 962 views

Hi,

after a trial of a newer version I wanted my Acrobat 9 back. I restored my system and the previously backupped Acrobat 9 directory. So far, everything went well.

When I opened it, it asked for a product key. Although I had bought Acrobat 9 in the bundle with CS4, it wouldn't accept that key on the back of the case.

I even installed it from scratch (losing all my nice updates, sob!) from the DVD, but the basic version 9.0 won't take in the CS4 key either. What can I do? Reinstall the whole CS4 and potentially have the same problem with the whole bundle?

Hoping for help

Marieluise

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Chris 486

"You can no longer reinstall Creative Suite 2, 3 or 4 even if you have the original installation disks. The aging activation servers for those apps had to be retired.  "

 

Adobe has retired the activation servers for these older creative suites unfortuantely.

 

Adobe Creative Suite archive

 

3 replies

Chris 486
Community Expert
Chris 486Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 26, 2022

"You can no longer reinstall Creative Suite 2, 3 or 4 even if you have the original installation disks. The aging activation servers for those apps had to be retired.  "

 

Adobe has retired the activation servers for these older creative suites unfortuantely.

 

Adobe Creative Suite archive

 

    M
    Marieluise261188279cqvAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 26, 2022

    Oh, thanks for that information. I am glad I did not try.

    When Cs2 was sent to the grave, at least, the users were provided with new keys. What about the new burials? No compensation? That would be expropriation and abuse of market power. Is that legal? I would really have to research more reliable and cloudless alternatives to Indesign and Photoshop. Sad, sad, sad.

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    September 25, 2022

    If you've used up your installations the message would say so. So it isn't that.

    I have a vague recollection that some bundled Acrobats in Creative Suite had their own separate serial number (in the box somewhere) and would not accept the suite serial number.

    M
    Marieluise261188279cqvAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 25, 2022

    I have read all the readme.pdf on the dvd, but there was no hint for another serial no. apart. But it gave me a link where I could find something I can try next:

    https://helpx.adobe.com/de/creative-suite/kb/error-serial-number-valid-product.html

    It says indeed that I should try to reinstall the whole bundle.

    M
    Marieluise261188279cqvAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 25, 2022

    Well, there is something else that intrigues me. As I said, in my account the recent ly bought stuff is registered. I searched the serial no. of my cs4 (which I possess physically) and the answer was, that this serial no would already be in use. Of course, it's in use! But why does this daft system not recongnize that it is me whose key it is?! I still have the same account as in 2017 and only recently changed my email address, but that cannot be the reason to forget the half of my entries. This is why now I dare not reinstall my whole cs4. I am afraid this half blind system might refuse the key altogether.

    M
    Marieluise261188279cqvAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 25, 2022

    Hi,

    I have an idea for the reasons of this issue, but need your help. Some time after the purchase and first installation of CS4 in 2017, I bought a new PC and had to use my image from the old computer for the new installation. I don't remember if then my serial number was asked for.

    Could it be that I have used up my possible installations? Would I have to confirm that I have given up the old installation? But where would that be? The disk of the old PC has been shredded. And in my Adobe account there are only the last two Softwares listed which I bought recently. I just need a possibility to have confirmed that my key is legitimate.

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