Installing Creative Suite CS6 on a new PC with Windows 11

[animenigma]

Hello, I got a new PC that doesn't have a disc slot and I was wondering what external optical drive to use in order to install my Adobe Creative Suite 6 I purchased years ago.

I have Windows 11 and I just want to use a cheap drive in order to install the software.

Has anyone tested out the drives that doesn't mention Windows 11 and could confirm if it would work or not? Like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/External-Enclosure-Optical-Computers-Compatible/dp/B0C8JNXY5S?crid=1OC9OFT1O4...

[Nancy OShea]

CS6 is way beyond its "replace me" date.  It's discontinued & unsupported software from 2012. 

In 2025, nobody can guarantee success. There's a very high likelihood of failure because the aged-out activation servers are not fully functional anymore. Adobe can't help you.

A better use of your money would be put toward modern software that's compatible with your new computer & OS.

MODERN OPTIONS:
==============
FREE Acrobat Reader -- view, comment, print & sign PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

Paid Acrobat Pro -- the complete solution for creating and saving PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html

Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (3 year license, no subscription needed).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography Plan (approx $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:
- Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
- Camera Raw
- Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
- Lightroom Classic
- Portfolio website + hosting
- Adobe Express (free starter plan)
- Bridge
- 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Creative Cloud Bundles & Single App Plans for mobile, web & desktops
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

[Peru Bob]

I think your link is to an enclosure only, and is meant to house a drive (not included):

---

 The USB 3.0 to Slimline SATA ODD enclosure is only compatible with 9.5mm optical drives.

Any external optical drive should work, but I prefer one that doesn't use a built-in usb cable.

Also check if it is a writable drive in case you want to write to a disk. And check what type(s) of discs the drive is compatible with.

Take a look at this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gingo-External-Portable-Transfer-BackItUp/dp/B0BQJ5J725/ref=sr_1_15?crid=149R...

[animenigma]

Thank you for the suggestion. 

[animenigma]

I got the external drive and ended up using it to installing it this way but I encountered additional, different problems. I am not sure if it's related to Adobe or my PC but in the middle of the installation, I had these attached pop ups show up. I tested out the programs and it opened up fine but the next day I turned my PC on, it was stuck in HP logo.  This is a brand new PC that I didn't even use for one month so I dont understand wat the cause of it all. 

I chose the 'repair' option in the blue sceen when I was troubleshooting but now it seems the Adobe programs are gone even though their folders are there. Was it the external drive that caused it or is it because of the older Adobe being on a new system? Is there a way to tell what the cause was because I don't want the same thing to happen again if I try installing it. I still don't see the Windows download link when I check my account products page despite having the serial number now.

[animenigma]

 

 

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Animenimga, the error seems to refer to something called a PX Device and is related to the drivers used by the device. You may want to check that only HP hardware is installed on the computer and go to their website to obtain any missing drivers.

If the Windows serial number is already registered to a different account then see https://adobe.ly/4gvFl16 for information on how to request the license be transferred to the account with your Mac serial number.

Alternatively, you can use the steps in https://adobe.ly/4iajde3 to request a password reset and gain access to the account where the software is registered, Animenigma. ^JW

[Nancy OShea]

A driver cannot load on this device...

By @animenigma

============

Not an Adobe issue.

See issues with Windows memory integrity and incompatible device drivers.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-11-memory-integrity-pxhlpa64sys-dvd-dr...

I experienced a similar error after a recent Win 11 update.  A quick fix was to disable the offending device and proceed as usual.  It's a temporary fix until I can replace the old device driver with one that's compatible with Win 11's memory integrity.

Good luck.

[animenigma]

Thank you, I was actually checking the posts in that same link above before when I searched for 'PxHlpa64' but I was confused because I couldn't even see any incompatible drivers listed under Device Security /Memory Integrity. I just dont want to do something off. Which exact post of theirs should I follow? 

I searched for pxhlpa64.sys in program files and I dont see it there either. 

I wanted to test the external drive just to see if other things worked and I tried a CD, (worked) and another software disc that came with my Wacom tablet which is much older and that also caused it to be stuck in start up. I couldnt even open up the programs because it kept crashing. 

I had to do Startup Repair so I can't even see this .sys file because I need to restart the PC after attempting to install the software and when I do, the same happens where I get stuck in start up.

[kglad]

@animenigma 

i listed its location.

[animenigma]

  I am doing the installation all over again and now it is showing up in  C:/windows/system32/drivers folder. I had the two pop ups again though, but I added '.old' at the end of the file . I hope I don't have problems when I have to shut down or restart .

[kglad]

test it and update this thread 

[animenigma]

I just tested it and shut it down and thankfully, it didn't get stuck in the logo! I hope it stays that way at least .

[al7777]

I also experienced the same problem after the latest Windows 11 update (24H2). My CS6 Master Collection caused a boot failure in Windows 11—even though it had been installed on that computer for 2 years. Eventually, I had to restore Windows and reinstall CS6, and... the same thing happened again. My CS6 Master Collection no longer works on Windows 11, and Adobe, after 13 years, offers no support. The worst part is that it isn’t Adobe’s software that’s failing—it’s Windows!

If you’re testing, make sure to create a restore point before installing CS6. The only solution is to revert back to Windows 10, with all the associated security risks. If anyone has a solution, I would be eternally grateful.

Good luck!

[kglad]

@al7777 

did you try reinstalling cs6 using compatibility mode?

[al7777]

Yes, even in Windows 7 compatibility mode and as an administrator. When installing CS6, I get the same errors as shown in the screenshots above. The curious thing is that after installation you can work normally and the applications function properly, but when you shut down the computer and turn it back on, Windows just won’t boot up. It’s unbelievable!

[kglad]

the driver message?

[al7777]

Yes

[kglad]

did you google that message?

[al7777]

It's so recent that I didn't find anything. ChatGPT suggests reinstalling the graphics card drivers after installing CS6, but I haven't tried it. I don't think it will work either...

[kglad]

it's not recent and i see lots of info about it.  here's one fix.

Renamed the file pxhlpa64.sys dated 03-09-2013 in C:/windows/system32/drivers folder and restarted Windows 11.

[al7777]

It's great! Thanks! I'll give it a try. What did you name the file?

[kglad]

that's from someone else.  just append _old to the file name so it's easy to restore if needed

[al7777]

Ok. I'll try it.

[kglad]

keep this updated