Participant

Answered

Creative Suite 3 Design Premium Activation Problem- HELP!

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
December 5, 2017
2 replies
651 views

I have a new iMac running high Sierra and I have been trying to follow the instructions for downloading and installing the non-activation version as instructed but when I install it (after having previously uninstalled what was already there) I still get the old activation notice rather than a request for the new serial number. I'm stuck!

Earlier I spent 4 hours in the chat cue to only get advice to do what I had already tried. Frustration to say the least.

I am about ready to dump this new computer and nurse the old one along. At least it works with cs3.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer patb84588448

Here is what I finally did that worked on my new (used vintage 2015 iMac). I had previously used apple's Migration Assistant to move my files over. After that none of the solutions for uninstalling files, etc worked so I used "the nuclear option."

I reformatted the hard drive with disk utility to get rid of everything. Then I reinstalled the original macOS.

Next I downloaded the CS3 installer listed in the other postings (which didn't work previously for me) and installed the parts of CS3 that I actually use.

When I tried to run Photoshop, I got a message to install a legacy version of Java 6 which I got from Apple. This made Photoshop happy allowing me to start it up and enter the new serial number. Viola!

Finally it works. I assume that there were just too many burried files that the uninstall thing didn't remove before.

Maybe someone knows how to really clean out all of those pesky files on a mac that keep the installer from working properly, this method at least works.

P

patb84588448AuthorCorrect answer

Participant

Here is what I finally did that worked on my new (used vintage 2015 iMac). I had previously used apple's Migration Assistant to move my files over. After that none of the solutions for uninstalling files, etc worked so I used "the nuclear option."

I reformatted the hard drive with disk utility to get rid of everything. Then I reinstalled the original macOS.

Next I downloaded the CS3 installer listed in the other postings (which didn't work previously for me) and installed the parts of CS3 that I actually use.

When I tried to run Photoshop, I got a message to install a legacy version of Java 6 which I got from Apple. This made Photoshop happy allowing me to start it up and enter the new serial number. Viola!

Finally it works. I assume that there were just too many burried files that the uninstall thing didn't remove before.

Maybe someone knows how to really clean out all of those pesky files on a mac that keep the installer from working properly, this method at least works.

Jeffrey_A_Wright

Community Manager

Thanks for the update Patb84588448. Yes, the migration assistant does not do a very good job of transferring Adobe applications. In the future, I would recommend confining its use to only restoring the documents and settings. You will then have a clean computer to install any needed applications on Patb84588448.

John T Smith

Community Expert

The first page of CS3 Activation-the solution! has instructions for a Windows computer on removing a registration file that still contains the old information, so the special version may be completely installed... may help with your Mac

P

patb84588448Author

Participant

unfortunately, this doesn't help. It appears form the thread that other Mac users have had this issue and no one said they had an answer. I am thinking of totally wiping out the hard drive and starting over with the OS and then trying the downloading of the "special installer"

Jeffrey_A_Wright

Community Manager

Patb84588448 did you locate and delete the cache.db file as discussed in Resolve "temporary activation expired" error for CS3 and Acrobat 8 ? If you are receiving an error after using the new CS3 installation files available at Download Adobe Creative Suite 3 products then the file continues to exist on the computer.

Patb84588448 please also make sure to uninstall any other installed Adobe software before you remove the cache.db file. You can then reinstall any other software after Creative Suite 3 is installed and licensed successfully.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded