CS3 installation fails with component failures

[aaronr69125007]

I am also trying to install the new downloaded version of CS3 Design Premium after Adobe killed their Activation servers. I was using CS3 on Win 10 1/29 on 1/30 Adobe stopped working as a result from my understand of Adobe killing the Activation servers. I had no Window updates during this time.

As directed I have downloaded the new replacement software and key that should work without the Activation servers. I have run the cleaning tools. However, this product doesn't install even if run as administrator and uninstalling multiple times. I read the log files and there are none of the 3 errors directed to look for. I just get that the Component install failed on everything except Acrobat 8 and Shared components. Any other suggestions?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Branching to a new discussion.

Aaronr69125007, sorry you are facing difficulties with the reinstallation of Creative Suite 3.  What Adobe applications are currently installed on the Windows 10 computer?  What process did you go through to remove the previous installations of any installed Adobe software including Creative Suite 3?

[John T Smith]

Two ideas that MAY work to install and/or run old programs in Windows 10

-RIGHT click the program icon or EXE and select a compatibility mode in the pop up option window

-or Run as Administrator http://forums.adobe.com/thread/969395 to assign FULL Windows permissions may help... says Encore, but sometimes required for ALL Adobe programs (this is NOT the same as using an Administrator account)

[aaronr69125007]

I used Win 10 "Programs and Features" to uninstall. This runs Adobe install app and I selected to uninstall everything. Rebooted, then ran AdobeCreativeCloudCleanerTool.exe. Provided Successful message. Rebooted. Then tried to install the downloadable version. It installed Acrobat and shared files. But failed on rest. I then uninstalled and tried again. Then tried reinstalling what did install with everything, then tried installing only Photoshop. All failed. I then uninstalled and then tried right clicking to run Setup.exe under Administrative privileges with the different methods. Still failed. I have gone to the Data1.cab file for AdobeAcrobat8en_US to extract the AdobePDF.dll and 64bit version. Copied these to the desktop to use when the message pops up saying it can't be found. I have tried using none or "cancel button" to the message, and then each version one at a time. I renamed the 64bit version to be the same name as what was being asked for so it would be used. None of these methods produced anything but the Acrobat 8 Professional to install. I might add, that every method I used allowed the Acrobat 8 to install.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

To confirm, Aaronr69125007, you were able to install all other Adobe applications but Acrobat 8?  Or all Creative Suite 3 Design Premium applications currently failing to install on Windows 10?

If all of the applications are failing to install then please check the installation log for any applicable error messages.  Information on how to locate the installation log can be found at Troubleshoot installation with install logs | Adobe Creative Suite 3, Adobe Creative Suite 4 .

[aaronr69125007]

I should also add, I went to the log files, extracted them and looked for the 3 mentioned errors. No errors reside in my log files.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Ok if there are no errors in the installation log, then I have no additional suggestions, Aaronr69125007.  From the details in post #3 it appears you attempted a clean removal of the previous installation.

If you want to continue utilizing Creative Suite 3, on Windows 10, then I would recommend you install on a fresh installation of Windows 10.  Make sure you back up any required files and settings so that they can be restored after Creative Suite 3 is installed successfully.

[aaronr69125007]

No Acrobat and Shared Components are the only thing that install every time.

[aaronr69125007]

No Error Messages, I have checked.

[aaronr69125007]

So are you guaranteeing it will install on a new installation of Windows 10? I would not want to waste my time reinstalling Win 10 and every other application I use if this process may not work. I am sure this is good to do every so many years, but I don't have that much free time.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Other individuals have reported Creative Suite 3 installed successfully on Windows 10, Aaronr69125007.

Typically the process you described in post #3 has resolved most installation issues for Creative Suite 3.  Unfortunately, Creative Suite 3 was the first version to include log files on why the installation is failing.  The logs have become more verbose and useful in later versions of Adobe Creative Suite and Creative Cloud applications, Aaronr69125007.

Did you experience an error which caused you to reinstall Creative Suite 3, Aaronr69125007?  The activation server was shut down several months ago.  Existing installations of Creative Suite 3 should be unaffected unless a major change is made to the hardware or software on the computer.  Any new installations do need to use the new serial number and installation files available at Download Adobe Creative Suite 3 products..

If you do want to use Adobe software designed to install under Windows 10 then I would recommend the Creative Cloud versions of our software, Aaronr69125007.  Windows 10 was not even under development when Creative Suite 3 was released.  Details on the different Creative Cloud membership offerings can be found at Creative Cloud pricing and membership plans | Adobe Creative Cloud .

If you do locate any error messages or have any additional questions then please update this discussion, Aaronr69125007.

[aaronr69125007]

No hardware changed, not updates were installed. It could be that my installed Adobe products took that long to attempt a license validation.

I have three reasons why I am not fully interested in Cloud. 1. I have legacy plugins to InDesign and Photoshop that I have no guarantee will work with the new CC version. 2. I am not a heavy graphical designer and am fine to pay the price of the software once to use for many years before updating my software in the future at my chosen time-frame. As far as I understand, no purchase option is offered like this anymore. 3. The Cloud software is not a Cloud product. It is a convenience fast track to the newest available software. If it was a Cloud product, then when I go anywhere in the world and login to my account on any computer, I would have an application that looks and acts the same with the same available actions, settings, configuration, and tool allocation. Maybe it will get there some day.

If I go through with a full Win 10 reinstall and the Adobe software does not still install, then will Adobe offer a refund for this purchased software? Or maybe a year free of Cloud? Obviously the software is worth more to me purchased outright, so even a single year isn't the time period I would normally use a purchased product.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright · Accepted solution]

Ok Aaronr69125007, I understand your concerns regarding a Creative Cloud membership.

No, Aaronr69125007, I am sorry but there will be no compensation for any difficulties you face using Creative Suite 3 on Windows 10.  If you do face any problems with the installation please check the installation log and then update this public forum discussion with any relevant error messages.

If you do want to increase your chances of success then I would recommend installing Creative Suite 3 Design Premium on an operating system it was designed for.  The system requirements indicate that it was designed for Windows XP or Windows Vista.  Details regarding the system requirements can be found at Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium release notes .

[aaronr69125007]

I have successfully installed the updated download of the software and installed it on a Windows 10 machine. After using it for a week, I get the message today "Licensing for this product has stopped working...". I thought this new downloaded software resolved this problem? I am using the downloaded software with the newly issued key.

[Bani Verma]

Hi Aaronr69125007,

This error "Licensing for this product has stopped working" is completely different from what you were getting earlier, please follow the steps given in the following help document to resolve it: Error: "Licensing has stopped working" | Windows.

Let us know if this helps.

[aaronr69125007]

Is this download virus ridden? I get the following message:

Gateway Anti-Virus Alert

This request is blocked by the SonicWALL Gateway Anti-Virus Service. Name: (Cloud Id: 46616127) Armadillo-65 (Trojan) blocked.

If not, is there a Dropbox or other method for downloading?

[Bani Verma]

These downloads are from Adobe servers, may be this "Gateway" tool is giving you problem. I would suggest turning it off and and then try activating your product.

[aaronr69125007]

So you are saying the updated CS3 software still has to do some sort of activation. If it does this successfully, I don't need to download and run the "Licensing Service Update"?

If it does not work, does the "Licensing Service Update" incorporate a Trojan virus accidentally?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Aaronr69125007, the Licensing Repair Tool, discussed in Error: "Licensing has stopped working" | Windows , was designed to run on Windows 7 or Vista.

If your current installation of Creative Suite 3 is now producing the error the licensing has stopped working then please complete the remaining steps listed in Error: "Licensing has stopped working" | Windows  .  The root cause of the most recent error is not having correct access to the Adobe PCD and Flexnet folders. 

If this error is occurring on a fresh Windows 10 installation, Aaronr69125007, then please review the settings of any installed anti-virus software.  At the minimum, please check your SonicWall Anti-virus software and verify it is up to date and has access to current virus definitions.

[aaronr69125007]

Then should I be worried the LicenseRecovery109.zip incorporates a Trojan virus accidentally?

[aaronr69125007]

I ran the Licensing Repair Tool on Win 10. It did not work. Please provide a solution for fixing the Licensing issue.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Aaronr69125007, did you have any questions regarding the remaining solutions listed in Error: "Licensing has stopped working" | Windows .  As previously discussed in post #18, the Licensing Repair Tool was designed to run under older versions of Windows.  Unless you are installing on Windows XP or Vista then please proceed to solution two.  You will also need to adapt the instructions if you are implementing them on Windows 10.

As for the LiceseRecovery tool being listed as a virus.  Did you update the anti-virus software and its definitions?  If so then please contact the manufacturer of the software as the download at  Error: "Licensing has stopped working" | Windows does not contain a virus.

[aaronr69125007]

I tried all the steps in the link for Licensing Has stopped.. The folder in %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data is no long read only, ownership and permissions have been updated to administrator again, I updated Replace Owner On Subcontainers and Objects, I replace Permission Entries On All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply To Child Objects, Flexnet services are on manual and were restarted, not there was any reference in Regedit to Right-click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Classes > VirtualStore > MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Adobe. This included multiple restarts. So as the last step was to reinstall I tried that. Now CS3 will no longer install on this machine.

What do I have to do now. Reinstall Win 10 again and thereafter every 7 days?

I have a current subscription to SonicWall and the definitions are up to date. I would think Adobe would have the phone number for Dell or SonicWall. This is a consistent problem with most files I try to download from Adobe via form links.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Aaronr69125007, I am honestly very surprised that you would face a licensing has stopped working error on a new installation on Windows 10.  As discussed in post #18 this is a well known and documented error and is typically due to permission failures when attempting to update the necessary licensing.

Please proceed with Solution 8 which discusses uninstalling Creative Suite 3 and removing the required folders from

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\.  During the reinstallation make sure to utilize the new serial number and installation files as referenced in post #10.

If you have any additional questions, then please update the discussion. Aaronr69125007.  If Creative Suite 3 continues to fail to install then please check the installation log for an update error message as discussed in post #5.