Trying to re-install Acrobat Pro 8 on new computer - installed OK, but won't activate.

[billbled]

Hi,

I've got a new Win 10 Home laptop and need to run my old Acrobat 8 Pro on it. The software installed fine and runs fine, legit software and serial number, but the activation won't work. It's on the 30 day countdown. Is there any way to get this software that I've bought and paid for to run on my new laptop? Won't activate over the Internet, no longer any telephone activation support - etc. 

Anyone have any ideas? 

Thanks much,

Bill

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Sadly, no. Adobe discontinued the activation servers a while ago and recently removed the non-activation installer from their public website. I recommend you contact them directly and complain about this situation you (and many others) are in because of those actions.

[billbled]

Ok - will contact them. Thanks much for the reply. 

[billbled]

Well, I contacted them via chat, then via phone. After I finally got someone who had command enough of the English language that we could have a conversation, the outcome was not satisfactory. They are basically forcing an upgrade (to the tune of $450 for Acrobat Pro 2017), which is infuriating. My Acrobat Pro v8 DOES install and run fine on my new Windows 10 laptop, but since the activation servers are offline, it will only run for 30 days. There is no way for me to actually use, beyond 30 days, the software I have bought and paid for. Very unhappy about this and the lack of customer service I received from Adobe today. Any thoughts of further Adobe purchases are now gone. I'll make something else work, and it'll be fine. 

[oscarf35916222]

How did you get it to run for 30 days? I have the same situation with my Acrobat 8.0 on Windows 10 and it won't let me run it at all

[ProlificUser]

If you have an urgent work needed to be done on Acrobat, try using the 7 days full feature access trial of Acrobat Pro DC. Download and install from the link below and sign in with a new email ID to get 7 days trial.

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html

[billbled]

Hey,

It just did. I didn't do anything to get it to run 30 days. It's like it was a default - that it would for 30 days without activation, but then quit. Really sucks that Adobe has abandoned us. 

[Kirel]

It is really sad. Adobe has a bad design issue or maybe its intentional - it does not warn you when you try to uninstall that you must deactivate it first. Hell, you cannot uninstall and reinstall on the same machine - it won't recognise at all. I'm also going to abandon Adobe

[BrightShade]

Adobe violated the terms of their license agreements with customers when the activation servers were retired. A suggestion: search your install media for the "license.html" file.

In my original Acrobat XI media, here is the relevant verbiage:

"2.1.1 License Grant. Subject to Customer’s continuous compliance with this Agreement and payment of the applicable license fees, Adobe grants Customer a non-exclusive and limited license to install and use the Software (a) in the territory or region where Customer obtains the Software from Adobe or Adobe’s authorized reseller or as otherwise stated in the Documentation (“Territory”), (b) during the term of such license (“License Term”), (c) within the scope of the License Type and on the Permitted Number of Customer’s Compatible Computers as specified in the Documentation, and (d) in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement and applicable Documentation. Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, in the applicable Documentation, or at the time of purchase, License Term shall be perpetual." (my emphasis added)

Adobe hides this version of the EULA from customers, it is not found in the license agreements page on adobe.com

My suggestions:

1. File a Better Business Bureau complaint against Adobe for their willful violation of the Acrobat license agreement for the  "perpetual" license of your version
2. Check with your local courts to see if a small claims lawsuit against Adobe makes sense for an amount equal to your cost ("payment of the applicable license fees") of the software and your filing costs

The DOJ lawsuit is ample evidence that Adobe disdains its customers, but maybe we can at least get our money back for software the company deliverately crippled by violating the license agreement.

[Abambo]

Locking this old thread.