Cant activate CS3 master colection

[barrettb64394936]

I am trying to reinstall CS3 master collection I have got a new serial and new installer I input the serial at the beginning of the install and when it finishes I open Photoshop and it ask for the serial again and I enter it and it says you have entered the wrong serial. Have tried deleting the cache file reinstalling many times nothing works need this fixed.

[kglad]

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/activation-fails-cs3-acrobat-8.html

[barrettb64394936]

Have already tried that did not help.

[kglad]

there are two links there (though that's not clear from the way the message was posted).  did you check both?

1.  CS3 - Still getting Activation Error Message with new Installer

2.  Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

if so, and both failed, please respond the Jeff A Wright​'s above post.

[barrettb64394936]

Yes I check both and they did not help I am trying to install CS3 master

collection with new installer and serial I input the serial in the

installer and it takes it and installs the software but when I open

Photoshop it ask for the serial again and it wont take the new serial.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

So what other Adobe software is installed on the computer Barrettb64394936?  If there is no other Adobe software currently installed then was installed previously?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Please also respond this public forum discussion Barrettb64394936 as opposed to private message.  This allows others in the community to benefit from any errors you faced.

If you did not have any other Adobe software installed on this computer then why are you installing Master Collection CS3?  Was Master Collection CS3 previously installed on the Windows 7 computer Barrettb64394936?  Why are you reinstalling it?  What happened to the Windows 7 computer that required it to be reinstalled?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Barrettb64394936 what other Adobe software is installed on this Windows 7 computer?  Which CS3 software are you reinstalling?

[barrettb64394936]

This is the windows 7 computer that CS3 was originally installed on I am having to reinstall it because I reinstalled the operating system this windows 7 computer has never had any other versions of adobe software installed on it.

[kglad]

you probably have something left from that previous install that's causing the licensing issue.  unless Jeff A Wright​ suggests otherwise:

uninstall everything cs3 using your control panel

clean per Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

rename your pcd and slstore folders if they're still on your computer*

restart your computer (don't skip this)

reinstall the downloaded cs3 and use the exchanged serial number

*

Configuration error in Adobe Creative Cloud

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

I fully agree with Kglad's suggestions and agree with the likely cause. 

If the new installer is not working then it is due to something else on the computer.  The suggestions offered by Kglad in message #9 should lead to a resolution Barrettb64394936.

[barrettb64394936]

I had reinstalled windows 7 before I reinstalled CS3 so there would not have been any left over files.

[kglad]

did you reformat your harddrive before reinstalling win 7?

[barrettb64394936]

I reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled window 7 and then CS3 but it still will not take the serial I think there is a problem with the serial.

[kglad]

when you install cs3 you're using the new serial number from Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8​, correct?

everything proceeds without problem during installation, correct?

after installation you restart your computer, correct?

you try to open a cs3 program and you're prompted for a serial number, correct?

you try the serial number obtained at the link in sentence one and see a red x, correct?

[barrettb64394936]

Yes that is what I am getting.

[kglad]

i don't understand that and i don't have any advice other than message 9.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright · Accepted solution]

Barrettb64394936 please continue to respond in this public forum discussion.  Kglad is very experienced member of our community and is trying to help you.

In answer to your question Barrettb64394936 the serial number validation process occurred when you were provided the download at Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8.  If the serial number is not being accepted then it is due to an inability to update the necessary licensing files or the licensing files exist but are corrupted.

If this is a fresh installation of Windows 7 you could skip Kglad's suggestions, in message #9, and reformat the computer.  Once you have applied any available Windows 7 update you should then be successful with the installation of Creative Suite 3 Master Collection. 

Otherwise please follow the steps offered by Kglad in message #9 Barrettb64394936.  If you have any questions on how to run the uninstallers; or how to download and run the CC Cleaner Tool then please update this forum discussion.  If you can also post a screen shot of the error you are facing it would be appreciated.  For complete details on how to post a screen shot see FAQ: How do I capture and post a screen shot or video?​.