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jordan1587
Participating Frequently
February 20, 2021
Question

How do I transfer CS5 license key to a new computer when old one is fried?

  • February 20, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 6542 views

My SSD gave out last night, taking it with several programs, including a student license to Adobe Creative Suite, which includes Photoshop CS5. I've been in the middle of a long ongoing project and badly need access to Photoshop for consistency in that project, so losing this is a really big deal. 

 

I still have the original installation disk and serial number, and the product is tied to my adobe account, but the original drive it was installed on won't recognize at all, so I cannot deactivate through the application itself. When I reinstall on the new hard drive, it gives me the option to sign into my Adobe account, but for whatever reason when I type in my password it tells me it must be "between 6 and 12 characters in length," which it is. If I intentionally put in a wrong password I get the standard "password incorrect" message so... I don't know what that's about, but I assume it's maybe not connecting as it should due to lacking support? 

 

In any case, my question is this: How can I transfer my license to this new Windows install/SSD when the original is inoperable? 

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
February 21, 2021

I'll mention (though it sounds as if you have it sorted) why there was so muich confusion. You said "My SSD gave out last night, taking it with several programs [including CS5]". I read this as meaning it's an extra disk where you installed programs, and you still had your system disk; so did other people I think. Hence all the careful advice about cleaning all the remains of CS5 from your SYSTEM before trying to install it on a new (NOT SYSTEM) disk. Since it was a single disk with both programs AND system, all the cleanup advice doesn't apply. Hope it all works out for you...

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 20, 2021

    Which operating system? 

    Creative Suite cannot run on modern Mac computers -- Big Sur or Catalina.

    On older Macs , Sierra, High Sierra and Mojave, you need a terminal workaround to install.

     

    Was your CS5 an upgrade from a previous version?  If yes, you need the qualifying product's serial number, too.

    Check your Adobe account.

    https://account.adobe.com/products

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    J
    jordan1587Author
    Participating Frequently
    February 20, 2021

    Windows 10. I've been using CS5 all the way up until just yesterday so I know compatible, even if it may not have been offically tested on the OS or had support codified on it. 


    It was not an upgrade, just a straight install from a Teacher and Student edition of the CS5 creative design suite which was purchased on disc. The disc and serial info is still available to me.

    J
    jordan1587Author
    Participating Frequently
    February 20, 2021

    Thank you. I'm trying to get in touch with support now so they can reset the count, but I'll have to wait until the drive arrives tomorrow to make sure it will work out (fingers crossed.)

     

    But to be clear, the activation servers for Student/Teacher editiosn of the CS5 creative suite are still acted, correct? I know support for older versions were discontinued but I am unclear on CS5, especially since some people are struggline with 5.5 from what I've seen. 


    Lucked out with support and got an agent that understood straight away, so I have a count of 1 added for the product. I get the drive tomorrow so hopefully it all works, I am still concerned about authentication servers being active or not, though. At least I know I have one good use to redeem it though. 

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