Skip to main content
Participant
August 26, 2022
Question

CS3 will not connect to internet to Validate, because Adobe no longer supports. What do I do?

  • August 26, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 483 views

I purchased Adobe Create Suite 3 (CS3) in 2007, when I first set up my business. has worked fine on my old PC ever since.
Yesterday decided to install it on my (much later) laptop as well, and it Installs OK but then asks me to "Validate via internet; or via telephone, or do it later"
Apparentyl I have 30 days to complete this part of the Install and then...well, what...???
Does it automatically lock me out? Stop working?
Asked Adobe and the bot reckons I need to upgrade to the latest 'pay by the hour' version.
Fook that!
It's why I bought the damn CDs in the 1st place.
Anyone got any clue as to how I can either Validate the software, OR prevent it from Deactivating at the end of 30 days..??
And please don't tell me the newst vewrsion is so much better.
It ain't broke, so I ain't fixin to "fix" it...
P'd off with Adobe.
I paid GOOD money for this software and have barely used it.

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Participant
August 29, 2022

You can't do anything now.

John Waller
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 26, 2022

What @Manan Joshi said. CS3 is dead and can no longer be used.

 

See Adobe's notes at this Helpx article

https://helpx.adobe.com/au/download-install/kb/activation-deactivation-help.html

 

CS2, CS3, CS4, OR ACROBAT 7, 8, 9, ACROBAT X, ACROBAT XI, AND 3D

 

"Our aging activation servers for earlier versions of Acrobat and Creative Suite (CS) applications had to be retired. You won't be able to activate these apps, as these activation servers are no longer available.

Affected applications include Creative Suite 2, 3, and 4, Acrobat 7, 8, and 9 (Standard and Professional), Acrobat X, Acrobat XI, and Acrobat 3D Version 8."

Participant
August 26, 2022

I am having the same issues. So my Acrobat Pro X is doomed if I try to reload it? BUT it sounds like their may be hope for my Creative Suite 5.5 Premium on CD ROM? I purchased this 10 years ago but Adobe can find no record of my registration of the Serial Number. I want to re install it on a new MacBook Pro and am hoping it will work?

 

Legend
August 26, 2022

No, that's not quite the same. CS3 was switched off. CS5 not yet (but surely will one day). Acrobat 7 and 8 switched off, Acrobat X not yet.

 

But anyway NOT of these will install on a new MacBook. Apple has blocked all old fashioned software; you need to budget for complete new replacements (subscriptions).

Community Expert
August 26, 2022

Hi @Mark258178728n09,

There is nothing that can be done now. There was a period when Adobe was giving out installers that could do the activation offline but that bus has also left station now and with the activation servers pulled down there is no legitimate way online/offline that could be used to activate.

-Manan

-Manan