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Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 26, 2017
Answered

CS3, Acrobat 8 ~ Activation Servers Retired

  • July 26, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 27721 views

Activation or connection error | CS3, Acrobat 8

It's official.  CS3 Activation Servers have been retired.  If you have CS3 or Acrobat 8, see this help article for further details on how to obtain a new serial number for your legacy products.

Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

Nancy

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Nancy OShea

    @NeuroPsych,

    This thread is out of date.  CS3 & Acrobat 8 are officially dead and gone now.  Adobe took down the links to activation free-installers and serial numbers.  Product support has ended. There is no possible way now to re-install or , de/activate CS3 and Acrobat 8.

    3 replies

    scottd81914528
    scottd81914528
    Participant
    February 5, 2018

    Hi Nancy,

    What about when you are trying to "Deactivate" one of your programs from CS3.

    The company I am working for did not keep records of the activation codes/serial numbers for their Adobe products. The simple solution is to deactivate the program and then "activate" it again so the saved activation code will show up. I've done it before.

    But now, every time I try it gives me a "To complete deactivation you need to have a working internet connection. Please be sure you are connected to the Internet." This is similar to what your link is describing of getting "No Connection" errors when trying to activate.

    My question is, does the lack of an activation server mean that we can't "Deactivate" our product either. And if so, how can we get our serial numbers/24-character activation code?

    Thanks.

    Jeffrey_A_Wright
    Community Manager
    Jeffrey_A_WrightCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 5, 2018

    Scottd81914528, the Creative Suite 3 activation server is no longer available.  Please use the new installation files, and serial number, discussed in post #2 of this discussion to reinstall Creative Suite 3. 

    Since the activation server is no longer available it no longer possible to deactivate the software.

      Jeffrey_A_Wright
      Community Manager
      Jeffrey_A_WrightCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      July 26, 2017

      Thanks Nancy.  My understanding is the activation server was shut down last night.  The page you linked to will allow individuals to input their CS3 serial number and obtain a new copy of the installation files and serial number.

      Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8​ actually was pushed live last week and replaced the CS3 download page.  So far I know of at least two individuals who have completed the process successfully.  One of them even had a volume license serial number for CS3 but was still able to access the replacement installation files.

      If either of you encounter any individuals facing difficulty with the process please don't hesitate to send me a message and I can review the discussion.

        N
        NationalTicket
        Participant
        December 18, 2019

        Jeff, I'm working with someone at Adobe now but for some reason they have no idea what I mean by a 'one time activation key'.

        We have about 30-50 some Adobe Acrobat 9 installs.  Just today, 12/18/2019, two of our workstations Adobe Acrobat 9 shut down staying it had an issue connecting with Adobe. We cannot use that Adobe 9 on those workstations as it wants to 'call out'.

         

        I'm working with a tech right now and they don't seem to be failiar with the procedures for the legacy software key issue. 

         

        Is there any other work around?  

        Thanks!

        David

         

        J
        JensKoegler
        Participant
        December 27, 2019

        @NeuroPsych,

        This thread is out of date.  CS3 & Acrobat 8 are officially dead and gone now.  Adobe took down the links to activation free-installers and serial numbers.  Product support has ended. There is no possible way now to re-install or , de/activate CS3 and Acrobat 8.


        Hello Nancy,

        I have the same problem. Do I understand correctly that Adobe now prevents me from using the SW, I paid more than a 1000 Euros for, and does not even provide the installer any longer? Don't get me wrong. For my professional work life I am using a company Cloud account with a subscription model but for my private PC, I would expect that I can still use the SW I bought.

        I had to re-install, CS3 is running fine, I can also live with the fact that you do not support any longer but I really cannot understand why you prevent the users who paid for it, instead of downloading piracy software, from using their software.

        That really upsets me. And on top of that, people in the chat being very rude and disrespectful. In regards to this issue, this is not cool and a very bad style. Where can I make an official claim?

        Thanks, Jens

          kglad
          Community Expert
          kgladCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 26, 2017

          why can't i mark your post as helpful?

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