Cannot Activate CS3

[miltonc42095559]

My Mac Pro has a working copy of CS3.  I have the license and install disks.

Last week, my OS was corrupted which required a disk format and reinstall.  All my applications including CS3 were restored from Time Machine.  Upon launching Photoshop, an error box appeared saying my CS3 license needed to be re-done.  But there is a problem.  All the activation methods are gone for this version of CS3.

Adobe has a workaround:  With the old license, one can get a new license for the "new" CS3.  Download this and you are good to go.  But the system requirements for the "new" CS3 is beyond the capabilities of my Mac Pro.  My Mac Pro has 64 bit but the MacOS is El Capitan which is inadequate for the "new" CS3.

What do I do?

[kglad]

you need an old os.

if you have an incompatible os, you need to use a compatible one either on the same computer (with parallels or something like it) or use a different computers.

[John Waller]

But the system requirements for the "new" CS3 is beyond the capabilities of my Mac Pro.  My Mac Pro has 64 bit but the MacOS is El Capitan which is inadequate for the "new" CS3.

Can I ask how you get the impression that the system requirements for the "new" CS3 are beyond the capabilities of your Mac Pro?

The system requirements for the non-activation version of CS3 (the "new" CS3) are exactly the same as the version you had previously. The program code is identical. Only the licensing model has changed. The "new" version no longer needs activating.

CS3 is officially supported on Mac OS X v10.4.8-10.5 (Leopard)

Older versions of Photoshop system requirements

However, you should be able to install it on El Capitan OS X v10.11 which is more than capable of running CS3. If it installed before, it should install now.

[miltonc42095559]

Upon getting the new activation license number for the "new" CS3, I encountered a screen which said I needed MacOS 10.12 (Sierra) minimum.  Did I misread it?  It seem not logical to have an old app needing to run on a much younger OS.

[kglad]

yes, you misread it.  cs3 specs:

• PowerPC® G5 or multicore Intel® processor
• Mac OS X v10.4.11–10.5.4
• Java™ Runtime Environment 1.5 required for Adobe® Version Cue® Server
• 1 GB of RAM or more recommended
• 8.2 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional hard-disk space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on flash-based storage devices)
• 1,024 x 768 display (1,280 x 800 recommended) with 16-bit video card
• Some GPU-accelerated features require graphics support for Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0
• DVD-ROM drive
• QuickTime 7.4.5 software required for multimedia features
• Broadband Internet connection required for online services*

[John Waller]

Upon getting the new activation license number for the "new" CS3, I encountered a screen which said I needed MacOS 10.12 (Sierra) minimum.

It would help if we could see a screenshot of what you saw.

However, you definitely do not need Sierra or later to run the non-activation CS3 ("new" CS3). El Capitan is more than enough.

[miltonc42095559]

I went through the swapping of license numbers and I could not find the notation that an advanced Mac OS is needed to run the "new" CS3.  So I downloaded the two install files and used the Adobe un-installer to wipe out the old version.  I then ran the two "new" CS3 installers.  Both completed successfully.  I restarted the Mac and went to the apps folder.  A new Photoshop folder was there but no Photoshop.  There was nothing to install the new license to.

What now?

[Test Screen Name]

That's odd. Have you rebooted, in case the Mac just isn't showing it yet?

[John T Smith]

CS6 and earlier programs HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED AND WILL NOT BE UPDATED for Mac El Capitan or newer operating systems

-which means that you try to use CS6 and earlier at YOUR risk of having problems due to Apple updates

-this is about CS6 (which is from 2012) but it will probably apply to other programs of that age

-Apple did not maintain backward compatibility with old programs in El Capitan or newer operating systems

--Adobe has a workaround to Apple's problem of not maintaining backward compatibility

--READ HERE https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2301916 for an Adobe solution to installing old programs, including a link to installing the old Java runtime that is required

[Nancy OShea]

Migrating software with Time Machine never works as expected.  I don't know why Apple techs endorsee this method.

#1 You'll need to wipe out all the old CS3 files from your hard drive.  The most efficient way is with the Adobe Cleaner tool.  Use this link.

Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

#2 Remove the old CS3  Adobe  PCD folder.  See link below for details.

Resolve "temporary activation expired" error for CS3 and Acrobat 8

#3  Install CS3 with new installer and give the new serial number.

#4 When asked to regisiter this product, hit NEVER.  The registration servers are gone.

#5 Restart computer.

[Test Screen Name]

Referring to an earlier reply, the CS3 specs are "

• Mac OS X v10.4.11–10.5.4"

I do not recommend you upgrade further if you want to run this ancient software as Adobe intended and once supported it.

[Mr Mixo]

Recently, I had to recover my iMac from a Time Machine backup and a hard drive replacement (my old drive flaked out—see how I repaired my hard drive here (video included!)).

Upon trying to open any Adobe Creative Suite 3 app (I use Photoshop and Illustrator daily...), I got the following error window:

I was taken to this Adobe Support page, which suggests a variety of options for fixing the problem—all of which didn't work for me. <Removed by Moderator>

The solution, it turns out, was for me to simply delete the entire folder "FLEXNet Publisher" folder at the following location: /[startup disk]/Library/Preferences/FLEXnet Publisher.

After I deleted that folder, I opened Adobe Illustrator, and it took me through the activation process (it had save my license key, so all I had to do was click 'Next' until the app was working again).

Source : <Removed by Moderator>

[gener7]

Are you using your old CS3 or have you exchanged it for the newer activation-free CS3? It comes with a new installer and a new serial number in exchange for your old one. Be sure to uninstall the old CS3 first and during that process, opt to remove the license on your old CS3 so it won't interfere with the new serial number

Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

[gener7]

If you don't want to do this, you can try running the License Repair script that I have laid out in a step by step procedure screenshot guide. Getting error 150:30 opening Photoshop cs4 on Macbook Pro Posts 11-18

Migrating Photoshop from backup or Time Machine breaks activation and you need to run the script or reinstall.