Can't reactivate my Illustrator CS3 - same problem others have experienced, still no solution?

[HMA2618]

Hi!
I have now lost all access to my Adobe Illustrator CS3, which I bought (as a private person, i.e. not a business), before Creative Cloud was an option.
It was an expensive product, and despite being quite an old version, still meets my hobby/design needs, so it's very disappointing that it is now obsolete.  

According to all forum info, and everything else I've researched and tried (including speaking to support several times), I should have been able to install a version which doesn't need activating. As instructed, I uninstalled everything on my PC that was Adobe-related, got the new serial number, and tried installing several times - but still no joy.
Support ended up saying that they couldn't help, so is that it?? I have no option but to pay monthly for something I use a couple of times a year?
Regards, HMA

[Bill Silbert]

What operating system are you using? CS3 is not supported on a Mac from El Capitan and above and is also not supported on the latest upgrades to Windows 10. It could be a problem caused by an incompatible OS.

[HMA2618]

Hi!

I have Windows 10, but CS3 has worked fine up till now (with my "box version").

[pixxxelschubser]

Hi HMA2618,

the main problem is: Adobes activation server are not longer available for CS3.

Here is a link for getting a new serial number and a CS3 downloadversion without activation (You should be logged in)

Follow the instructions. Sorry, but there is no other way.

Aktivierungs- oder Verbindungsfehler, wenn CS3 oder Acrobat 8 gestartet werden

This is an official Adobe site. You can change the language in the bottom left corner.

And I hope this also works for you for your Illustrator CS3 standalone.

[HMA2618]

Thanks, but I've tried everything several times - the "solution" doesn't work.

[pixxxelschubser]

What doesn't work? Please explain in detail.

Did you not get a new serial?

Or you did not get the download version for Illustrator standalone?

Or or or?

If you got a new serial and the download version:

Did you uninstall the old version and also use the Adobe CS Cleaner tool and restart your computer before you tried to reinstall?

[HMA2618]

Thanks for your reply, but as I said, I have tried everything several times.

Yes I got a new serial number, I got the download version. I uninstalled the old version (as well as Photoshop CC, Acrobat, and everything else related to Adobe on my PC). Yes, I used the Adobe CS Cleaner Tool, and restarted. Several times.

I will try everything one more time tomorrow (it's late evening over here now), as my trial version of the CC program (that I downloaded to complete a poster) has also run out.

[kathyb70334671]

I have spent the last day and a half trying to fix this.  I finally got it to install (after uninstalling everything Adobe from my computer and running the Cleaner tool), and I got it to install and accept the new serial number.  HOWEVER, it still refuses to activate.  I've been on chat twice, and am waiting once again for someone to pick up to (not) help me with this.  Good luck, and if I learn anything, I'll be sure to share.

[HMA2618]

Couldn't wait until tomorrow ... so I have just uninstalled everything again. And used the Adobe CC Cleaner Tool. In advance I had uninstalled Illustrator, and my CC Photoshop + all other apps related to Adobe.
I then restarted my PC.
I downloaded the "replacement CS3 installer" and installed this new version.
As with my own version, I got the same message - that my product needs reactivating.
The only way to do this is online, and that doesn't work. I don't get as far as writing in the new serial number, as I am told that I have no connection - which of course I do.
(I also tried phoning support several times last week, but they said they couldn't reactivate it over the phone).

So, same as all of my previous attempts.

[Test Screen Name]

It cannot be activated. Not any version. The new version does not need activating. So what is happening is clearly that vestiges of your old disk-based version are still in your system. One solution is to wipe the disks, but you might find that drastic. There may be others less painful. The key thing is to keep (as proof of purchase) but never use those disks again. Use the downloaded version. Downloading again and again is not going to help you. I hope someone can suggest a means to "deep clean" your old version.

You could have upgraded for about 5 years from purchase, to CS4 or CS5. Both long gone away, equally obsolete.

Don't expect any sense from support. They support current versions.

[Monika Gause]

HMA2618  schrieb

Hi!

I have Windows 10, but CS3 has worked fine up till now (with my "box version").

WIndows 10 is not even fully compatible with CS6. With each update issues come and go. Without knowing what exactly has been installed or deinstalled from your PC this is practically impossible to solve.

Until now we have only heard of issues with CS3 and Windows 10 and not with older versions, so the odds are that the problem is with the system.

When you want to continue running older versions, you have to keep a compatible system. CS3 has been built for Windows XP.

[HMA2618]

I appreciate and understand that, and would of course have paid for an upgrade (after I switched from XP to Windows 10 when I bought a new PC). That didn't seem to be an option though, as everything seems to be web-based (CC) now.

[Monika Gause]

CC is not web-based. It still runs on your harddisk.

But it's a subscription model.

[HMA2618]

Could the problem have something to do with not having deactivated my own CS3 before trying to install the version that supposedly doesn't need activating?? (I would presume not, given that I have downloaded the replacement version, and would be entering in a new serial number (if I ever got that far).
Also, I'd assume that the Cleaner Tool would wipe away all info related to the original program.
Just a thought anyway.

[HMA2618]

Frustrating.
Has anyone managed to download and use the replacement CS3 with Windows 10, without activating?? I can't be the only person in the world with this issue ...
As long as the program worked, I saw no need to upgrade. The new version is presumably better, but CS3 suited me fine, now that I no longer work with graphics on a daily basis - that being the main reason for not wanting to pay for a subscription (which I already do for Photoshop, due to wierd behaviour with Windows 10).

Support were polite, but always gave me the same answer when nothing worked - i.e. that Chat/support can't fix my issue, if the self-help link doesn't work. Solution: Talk to sales for getting a new subscription.

[pixxxelschubser]

You are not alone. I have the same problem with my CS3 ( I have a CS2 which still normally works on my Window 10 computer - and I have my CS3 which not any longer works since a few days ) Both versions I only need for old files and sometimes for solve questions in forum.

But I have also InDesign CS5 and CC from company for home working installed. And that's the problem why my CS3 is lost for me. I do NOT uninstall all Adobe software from this computer and clean and reinstall and so on … in a very time consuming process for PERHAPS getting a working CS3. Perhaps than, if this computer is faulty or I need a new installation of Windows anyway or on a new computer - who knows …

Wish you the best - and good luck

[HMA2618 · Accepted solution]

Thanks.

I've really tried everything, wiping all traces of Adobe from my computer, and nothing helped. End of story.

However, I've just tried installing the replacement CS3 on my husband's laptop, and it worked! He still has XP, so this definitely seems to be a Windows 10 issue. (Perhaps this should be mentioned more clearly on the support pages, so that others don't use so much time and energy on a solution that was doomed failure from the start).

Thank you all for your time, and have a great Xmas!

[kathyb70334671]

I think this whole thing is a ruse to force us to subscribe.  Like another comment, I only use this program several times a year, and that's to open a file that Corel can't open.

[Monika Gause]

kathyb70334671  schrieb

I think this whole thing is a ruse to force us to subscribe.  Like another comment, I only use this program several times a year, and that's to open a file that Corel can't open.

Nobody forces you to subscribe.

Just get a compatible version of Windows (which might be XP) and then install your CS3.

There actually are people who claim that they could install it successfully in Windows 10, but unfortunately none of them has ever told us their secrets.

[donnakelsch]

So glad I found your post as I am encountering the exact same issue with Illustrator CS3.  I can do the work but I can't save the file.  I know its a few years since your original post but can you enlighten me with which solution worked to fix this or If you are having new issues.  I am also on Windows 10.

[Monika Gause]

The activation servers have been shut down in the meantime. It's not possible anymore to install that version.