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berney01
berney01
Participating Frequently
December 12, 2018
Answered

InDesign CS3 activation

  • December 12, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 6790 views

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 Adobe security seemed to only recognise the original CS3 serial number - which it  also believes has been revoked - and so refused to allow registration following download.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.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer BobLevine

    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.


    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.

    4 replies

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 13, 2018

    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.

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    berney01
    berney01Author
    Participating Frequently
    December 13, 2018

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

    barbara_a7746676
    Community Expert
    barbara_a7746676Community Expert
    Community Expert
    December 13, 2018

    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
      berney01Author
      Participating Frequently
      December 13, 2018

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

      cindyp887114
      cindyp887114
      Participant
      December 13, 2018

      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
      Community Expert
      Steve WernerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      December 13, 2018

      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
      cindyp887114
      Participant
      December 13, 2018

      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.

      Bill Silbert
      Community Expert
      Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      December 12, 2018

      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
      berney01Author
      Participating Frequently
      December 12, 2018

      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
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      December 13, 2018

      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.

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