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Invalid Serial Number

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
October 17, 2016
3 replies
4016 views

Out of the blue, after starting Photoshop CS6 today, I was greeted by a notice my "trial period" had expired and required me to re-enter the PAID FOR Serial number. Upon entering and selecting NEXT, the response was my serial number has been deactivated and to contact Customer Service. Unfortunately, there is no Customer Service, just this forum.

Can anyone explain why after having zero issues for years, my Serial Number is suddenly "invalid" and how to fix?

Thanks to any and all who can assist!

Fred

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Jeffrey_A_Wright

At the time of purchase, I was directed to the Adobe download link, followed the instructions, installed and entered the SN. I completed the install and began using the software. All was good for nearly 4 years.

At this point, I simply have to blame myself. CC company says it's too far in the past to address as any kind of fraud or dispute payment.

Fredp66997232 I am sorry that you faced difficulties with your Creative Suite 6 serial number. I reviewed case 0220074291 where you contacted our support team and pulled up the details for the serial number you provided via chat.

It appears it was a volume license serial number that was flagged for piracy. Volume license serial numbers are not designed for individual sale, outside of certain educational agreements, and this may have lead to why your serial number was invalidated.

I recommend utilizing the link offered by Kglad in message #21 to help ensure that you are purchasing valid Adobe software for future purchases.

Outside of purchasing Creative Suite 6 from Adobe directly please be very careful if you purchase another copy of Creative Suite 6. Even the copies being made available to educational institutions are utilizing an expiring serial number. You are welcome to contact us directly at Contact Customer Care if you would like to verify that the serial number you are provided is a perpetual license and not time limited.

fredp5272564Author

Participant

Anyone have any other ideas?

fredp66997232

Participating Frequently

I created a new Adobe ID this morning, followed all the steps as outlined in the help section. Still having the same issue.

kglad

Community Expert

That's kinda sad considering how much I paid for it. So a question, if i downgrade my OS and it still doesn't work (accept SN), what then?

start at the top and work your way down applying applicable fixes until your problem is resolved.

if, your error is:

"Installer failed to initialize. File not found." or "Installer failed to initialize. This could be due to missing files."

first, rename OOBE Folder to OOBE.old.

to find OOBE:

64 bit win OS: Program Files x86\Common Files\Adobe\OOBE

32 bit win OS: Program Files \Common Files\Adobe\OOBE

mac os: HD>library>application support>adobe>caps

mac os: USER>library>application support>adobe>OOB

if that fails or isn't the exact error you see, uninstall, clean (http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html) and reinstall.

if you're using a dvd to install:

copy the disc contents to a desktop directory and install from that directory.

if you're using a mac:

1. Try to Create a new user account in Mac with Administrator Priviledges.

2. Login to the New user, Navigate to Mac HD> Application> Utilities> Adobe Installer folder, Locate products like Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Adobe Air and un-install them

3. Navigate to User Library> Application Support> Adobe and move Adobe to Trash.

4. Navigate to Mac HD> Library> Application Support> Adobe and move Adobe to Trash.

5. Start the installation again.

if everything applicable above fails, check your installation logs:

http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/troubleshoot-install-using-logs-elements.html

John T Smith

Community Expert

I've seen a lot of this type of question lately, and the "usual" cause seems to be an operating system update or upgrade

What is YOUR operating system, and have you had a manual or automatic update just before your problem?

CS6 revert to trial https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1074928 long discussion with help link

Invalid License http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/error-serial-number-valid-product.html

-and more help in http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/invalid-serial-number-cs4.html

fredp5272564Author

Participant

I'm on a Mac Powerbook running OS 10.12 (Sierra). No, that upgrade was weeks ago, no issues with PS until today.

I tried the following suggested "work-arounds" (deleting certain files:

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PCD
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/caps/caps.db

Running "the CC Cleaner Tool"

Uninstalling and reinstalling PS CS6

Run as a trial, then attempt to enter Serial Number

I have not yet created a new user account as I have concern I may create an issue with the TypeKit account driving our company website.

Just Shoot Me

Legend

fredp5272564 wrote:
I'm on a Mac Powerbook running OS 10.12 (Sierra). No, that upgrade was weeks ago, no issues with PS until today.

And now the Trial period is over.

This is more than likely a permissions problem. Sierra changed permissions on a folder that PS uses to store the license.

Apple seems to do this with every upgrade of the OS. Changes or FUBAR's permissions on folders that other pieces of software had full access to in the previous versions of OS X.