Need to activate Adobe Photoshop CS3 again but it won't work

[kaig38521541]

Hello happy Photoshoppers,

I've been using Photoshop for a while now and never felt the urge to upgrade to a newer version. So I'm still using CS3 (Extended Edition), which i bought back in 2006 or so. Since then it's been working perfectly.

Last week it prompted me to activate my copy of the program again, which wouldn't work eventually; I entered my serial number but the connection can't be established, which I find weird since I can access the internet without any issues. I also tried to deactivate my firewall (Avast + Malwarebytes), no success either. Tried it on another PC, nothing.

I'm using Windows 8.1 (on both PCs) with the most up to date hardware drivers and flash and stuff.

Please help me 🙂 Thanks for any ideas in advance.

Best regards
Kai

[kglad · Accepted solution]

uninstall ps cs3, clean (Use the CC Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems | CC, CS3-CS6) and reinstall using your serial number and the installation files.

Downloadable installation files available:

• Suites and Programs:  CC 2014 | CC | CS6 | CS5.5 | CS5 | CS4, CS4 Web Standard | CS3
• Acrobat:  XI, X | 9,8 | 9 standard
• Premiere Elements:  13 | 12 | 11, 10 | 9, 8, 7 win | 8 mac | 7 mac
• Photoshop Elements:  13 |12 | 11, 10 | 9,8,7 win | 8 mac | 7 mac
• Lightroom:  5.7.1| 5 | 4 | 3
• Captivate:  8 | 7 | 6 | 5.5, 5 | 1
• Contribute:  CS5 | CS4, CS3 | 3,2
• FrameMaker:  12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7.2

Download and installation help for Adobe links

Download and installation help for Prodesigntools links are listed on most linked pages.  They are critical; especially steps 1, 2 and 3.  If you click a link that does not have those steps listed, open a second window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.

[kaig38521541]

Hi kglad‌,

thank you for your reply. Unfortunately it didn't work after 3 tries of complete deinstallation + CCleaner swipe.

I really need Photoshop, so what can I do instead to reactivate it??

Thanks again

Best

Kai

[kglad]

what problem/error do you see?

[kaig38521541]

It sais "no connection". When I try again, the same error is displayed. Phone activation isn't possible anymore as you sure know.

[kglad]

debug your connection issue,  Sign in, activation, or connection errors | CS5.5 and later, Acrobat DC

[kaig38521541]

Solved it; the hosts-file contained wrong information about adobe servers. Thanks for your support!

[kglad]

you're welcome.

[47273179]

Hi, I have the same issue. Where do you find the host file ? How did you correct it to the right server?

[kglad]

confirm that you can connect to the secure adobe servers.

for help with that and other common secure adobe.com connection problems read, http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/activation-network-issues.html