[Locked] upgraded to win10 - needing to reactivate CS3 suite [CS3 is dead]

I'm one of the volunteers, like John T Smith.
This Adobe's help page could help.

https://helpx.adobe.com/support/programs/support-periods.html

>Why did they even remove the page?

I don't work for Adobe, so I have no idea

@John T Smith

So how does a cusomer actually get something escalated? Or even make a compaint. Do they have to send off a letter via snail mail to the CEO? That sounds very backwards. Normally if you have a compliant with a company, you can ask for something to be escalated and it will be escalated to whoever you request it is escalated to. 

The problem the OP is having is nothing to do with  'support'  for the actual use of the software, or even problems with OS compatibility. The problem they are having is with the actual activation server which Adobe has decided to switch off, which they didn't notify owners of the CS3 software that they had done this.. There was an automated solution they provided, where CS3 cusomters could visit an adobe webpage, and enter their serial, and would then be provided with a download of the version that didn't require activation.  But that page has disappeared recently. If they brought that page back, it would be solved. 

As a result of this, there are going to continue to be CS3 license owners posting on the community pages for very long time, all having this same problem, and wasting the time of volunteers. I have alsready seen a lot of similar posts. Abobe could easily fix it by restoring that page above. It is just common sense. Why did they even remove the page?

>escalate it to a higher level of support

That will not do any good at all... the quote below is from the Adobe employee who advises the volunteers here (I am one) on policy... this is in a reserved area so I can't just post the link, but I am pasting this in for information

"Adobe employees will no longer be engaging with Creative Suite customers to provide support via chat, phone, or social media"

I suggest you try to escalate it to a higher level of support.. The CS3 license should allow you to use the software for as long as you need to use it. I am not sure if it is fully compatible with  windows 10, but you could always use it with an older version of windows if you decided to. eg on any older computer, dual boot windows,  or via a virtual PC.
After Adobe turned off the Activation server for CS3, up until very recently they apparently had a webpage where you could enter your CS3  serial and get a download to a version of cs3 that didn't need activation, as well as apparently a new serial number. This was still on the website up until sometime in 2019.  But that page seems to have just disappeared into thin air, and they now seem to have a standard response that the software is no longer supported, and to upgrade to their subscription software. But it hasn't actually been supported for many years, the only issue is that it always needed remote activation, and Adobe has switched off their activation servers, effectively voiding the perpetual license..

Did they ever contact you to let you know they had turned off the activation server, and you would need to register on their website to get the new non activation version of the software?

CS3 is almost 13 years old. The activation servers are long gone.  And Adobe removed the activation-free installers thus ending all support for CS3 and Acrobat 8.  When your 30 day trial ends, the software will stop working.  Your only option now is to purchase modern software to go with your modern operating system. 

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

Sorry... CS3 is totally gone

https://helpx.adobe.com/support/programs/adobe-support-policies-supported-product-versions.html