InDesign CS3 activation

[berney01]

Has anyone been able to successfully download and install the version of CS3 that does not need online reactivation?

I have now spend days of my life and 6-h with Adobe support trying to do this. Adobe seem more than capable of remotely deactivating a perfectly functioning and licensed version of CS3 but completely incapable of providing reactivation.

I am very disappointed in the service, and the claim that they can supply a version that will work and not require constant online reactivation ( which is not supported in my region of the world) has proved untrue in my case.

I have tried to install a version that is meant to not require online activation. I did  a complete uninstall of all Adobe products and clean of the system (at HUGE inconvenience), requested a new serial as directed on the webpage,  and still the install of the new CS3 failed. Adobe security seemed to only recognise the original CS3 serial number - which it  also believes has been revoked - and so refused to allow registration following download. Incredibly frustrating.

My theory is that the 'clean' is not working properly and that there is some file/code/signature left somewhere on my computer that is making Adobe believe I still have the old CS3 active. Short of wiping my entire computer - which I am not happy to do - I cannot see a way around this.

Yes CS3 is old, and yes I could upgrade to the subscription version of InDesign. But I use IDD infrequently and it is not worthwhile paying a monthly subscription. I hold a valid licence but have been denied a functioning product by Adobe's actions. I am not happy.

I cannot find a complaints page and the chatline is never accessible (permanently engaged). If anyone in NZ has had success with this, would also be interested in hearing.

[Bill Silbert]

What operating system are you using? It seems possible that this could be a problem of trying to install on an OS which does not support something as old as CS3. After all, I believe that CS3 came out sometime in 2006. That’s a millennium in computer years. If you are using a computer with any recent operating system then it is unlikely that you will be able to work this out.

[berney01]

Windows 10 home. CS3 (yes, bought in 2007) had been operating on that fine until the last remote deactivation. However, it is definitely true that after Windows does an update, I have usually  needed to do the whole reactivation thing. I guess it is possible that the latest update has done what you said - but we did get as far as installing and opening a version of CS3 using the remote access help. It was the final hurdle of recogniising the serial number that failed.

[BobLevine]

CS3 was released many years before Windows 10. It is not supported and you are on your own.

My only suggestion is to try running it in Windows 7 compatibility mode as an administrator.

[berney01]

Hi Bob

Just to clarify. CS3 had been running on Windows 10 on my computer quite happily the last few years. It was not that the presence of Win 10 meant I could not run it at all. It does, however, seem that Win 10 upgrades wreck havoc with its activation. I managed to get CS3 back in Sep 2017 and June 2018 - after substantial effort.  This time, however it looks like WIndows/Adobe have worked out a way to stop a perfectly good product from working and force a move to subscription.

I will, however look into your other suggestion.

[Dov Isaacs]

To be very clear, there is absolutely nothing that Adobe has done either proactively or passively to “force a move to subscription” in any situation.

In your first posting, you indicate that Adobe was involved in “remotely deactivating a perfectly functioning and licensed version of CS3.” How was such information conveyed to you or is this an assumption on your part?

          - Dov

[cindyp887114]

When I get home I will attempt opening a file and let you know what it says. I am not a techy person but have loved using ID. This has been extremely frustrating.

Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note5.

[berney01]

I assume this answers your question - taken from the Adobe site  Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

The aging activation servers for Creative Suite 3 (CS3) and Acrobat 8 applications had to be retired. Without activation servers, CS3 and Acrobat 8 applications display a connection error when trying to verify a license.

Affected applications include CS3 versions of Photoshop, InDesign, InCopy, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Flash Professional, Contribute, Fireworks, and Soundbooth, plus Acrobat 8 Standard, Acrobat 8 Professional, and Acrobat 3D version 8.

What are my options?

Provide your current CS3 or Acrobat 8 serial number for either of these options:

• Upgrade to the latest and greatest! Take advantage of this special offer to upgrade to Creative Cloud (CS3 owners) or Acrobat DC (Acrobat 8 owners). Get the world’s best creative tools or PDF solution – including mobile applications, cloud-based storage, and free updates – at an amazingly low price.
• Receive a new serial number and installer  Get a new serial number and installer so you can reinstall CS3 or Acrobat 8 applications successfully. These special versions do not require activation.

[cindyp887114]

I have numerous documents including all my recipes on ID which I can no longer access. I don't see why Adobe thinks they can come in and remotely deny me access to a program that I have purchased. If anyone is starting a class-action lawsuit, I'm in.

[Steve Werner]

Sorry, but it was your choice to update to a new operating system which did not support the old software you're using. If you run the old software on a computer with the old software you still have access to your recipes. How can Adobe responsible for that? The developer of the OS (Microsoft, Apple) made changes which made the software not work.

[cindyp887114]

Actually it was working fine on Win 10. Then one random day when I tried to open an ID file I was forced to try and re-activate my software which was impossible. It is also impossible to communicate with anyone at Adobe.

[BobLevine]

No software company on earth is going to support a version of their product that is 12 years old and 10 versions out of date. Again, you're on your own. Good luck.

[berney01]

Well - it sure looks that way, Bob. I'm fully alert to the financial drivers - just annoyed and disappointed. Particularly when Adobe claims to offer a solution and in no way mentions that it is tied  to any specific operating system.

[Derek Cross]

InDesign is a professional level, publishing industry standard application, which is being continually developed with useful new features. For a professional tool the price is trivial. Those, such as hobbyists, who don’t want to upgrade, they should consider getting a second hand computer running an older operating system.

Those that use InDesign infrequently but want the newest version can pay for it by just the month(s) they use it.

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

I'm not going to sing the praises of Adobe's customer support. Most people find these forums to be a far better source of assistance. If you've downloaded and installed the activation-free installer and still can't get it to work, you can try this:

Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

And then try installing it again. But make sure you are working Windows 7 compatibility mode. But if you've kept Windows 10 fully updated, you may have reached the point of complete incompatibility.

[berney01]

Thanks, Bob - I think Win 10 has reached complete incompatibility as have run cleaner. But I have appreciated your helpful and practial advice. Closing this thread now.

[berney01]

Thank you, Cindy. AT least I know I am not alone. Despite what Bob says, the Adobe support folks never questioned compatibility with Win 10. So either that is not the problem or they don't know what they are talking about.  Why would they - knowing I was running Win 10 - go through a uninstall/reinstall process to set up a version of CS3 that does not require online activation if they didn't beleive it would work? And why does the Adobe website offer that as a solution?

[barbara_a]

Adobe has retired the Activation servers for CS3.

Now you will need a replacement serial number and installer to reinstall without activation. You will need your original serial number to complete the process. Go to http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs3-product-downloads.html

[berney01]

Have done all of that. Adobe support has also done it remotely. It didn't work.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

The OP said the original CS3 software was removed.

Did you use CC Cleaner? If not, try it.

The OP obtained a new serial number, but it did not work.

Did you create a new user and try it there?

If not, clean everything again, create a new user, install, and try the new serial number.

[berney01]

Thanks. Had tried clean and install. System refused to recognise new serial it had generated.