CS3 discs still work?

[linds_saurus]

I have Adobe creative suite 3 software and haven’t used it for years, a friend of mine also used a copy of it. I know she had gotten rid of her laptop since then. Was looking to sell it and I have someone interested. Before I sell it how will I know if it still works? It has all the discs and serial numbers . I don’t have a Mac anymore so I can’t check. I heard adobe support is little help. I also don’t know how many uses it has after.

[John T Smith]

No

CS3 and Acrobat 8 activation server is retired see reply #1 https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2372929

-you MUST use the special serial number AND the special installer you download, not your originals

-the direct download link no longer works due to the change described below

Adobe removed old links from public view https://theblog.adobe.com/changes-to-creative-cloud-download-availability

-also read https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-limits-software-downloads.html

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The process below WILL NOT WORK if you have a (CS6 or earlier) serial number for an education or volume version, since the only downloads now available are the retail installers, which DO NOT work with an education or volume serial number

Start by reading reply #10 https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2620448

-Also read https://helpx.adobe.com/in/download-install/kb/downloaded-older-app.html

-And https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/find-downloaded-file-app.html

-OR... Go to https://www.adobe.com/about-adobe/contact.html

-click on the Chat bot on the bottom right hand corner of the first screen

--the chat bot is the circle with a funny looking box with 3 dots inside

-click on Downloading or Installing, then type Agent

Do NOT let the support agent tell you to come to the forums for help... no user in a public forum has access to Adobe's internal links, you MUST obtain the program and update links from Adobe support

AND when you finally do have a download link, be sure to copy every file you download to an external drive (or 2 or 3) so you never have to hunt for download links if they are moved again... also make a text file containing ALL of your serial numbers and copy that file as well

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

linds.saurus  wrote

Before I sell it how will I know if it still works?

I think you're trying to sell a pig in a poke.   The CS3 installation disks have no value.

1. Legacy CS3 is 12 years old and not compatible with newer Mac operating systems. 
2. The CS3 activation and registration servers were taken offline.   Even if you had a compatible Mac OS,  you could never activate the disc software beyond the trial period.
3. You and the new owner would  need to complete and submit a transfer of ownership form to Adobe.  See link below.
   Transfer an Adobe product license
4. Assuming the new user has a compatible Mac OS, they will have to trade in your old serial number for a replacement installer and new serial number that does not require activation.  
   Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8