Issue opening InDesign 2017 on old Mac

[Ricksta1975]

So we have an old mac at work that uses 2017 InDesign. Its basically needing to stay old to let certian old programmes work that would be hugely expensive to upgrade. Its always worked with the same account I use for the programme here on my fairly new Mac which is quite up to date. I use InDesign 2025 .

The problem is the old mac had to restart and when it did the InDesign wont open. When we try (from cloud) it tells us we need to sign in, even though we are already signed in on that account (AI and PS both work) and when we click sign it it just says we have a trial which is not the case (its the same account I sign in with on my mac which works fine). So is asking us to pay for a new account.

<title edited by moderator>

Any ideas? We have used it on both mac for a long time now. Im guessing its the old version is causing issues? maybe unsupported now?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

There was a thread recently - same problem, after restarting machine, InDesign logged out and can't be activated again. 

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do... Activation servers no longer support re-activations. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-cs5-5-froze-and-after-reboot-thinks-i-w...

There was also a thread from someone working on a Mac - who left his home country - Germany - and wasn't able to confirm activation in Spain(?) and lost his activation - if I remember correctly. 

[Ricksta1975]

Thanks, this both helps (knowing we are not doing something silly) and doesnt help (as what the heck do I do about it?).

My thread title was wrong, as its NOT CS4 but 2017 I was talking about, but luckily he has an old CS4 version on the computer which doesnt use cloud and still works but thats even more accient than 2017!

[BobLevine]

I edited your post title, but that's not going to help the issue of opening the application. If I were you I'd start looking at alternatives and explaining why you need to use 2017 because you're not likely to get any assistance from Adobe.

[Ricksta1975]

Main reason is the computer has software on that cost a lot of money (for imposition in printing purposes) which need new software to go on newer computers.... its nothing I knew wouldnt be a problem at some point, it just happens to be now.  I keep my mac up to date but we cant use the imposition software on mine as a result. 

Its very expensive to change and would result in a lot of change, so that would someone we would do our best to avoid.....

That computer uses cloud but the apps dont want to install past 2017 so he has that (or had) on there, along with a real old CS4 version which still works.

I know the line would be 'update the mac' 'update the software' but that sounds easier than it is.

[BobLevine]

Well, you did get eight years out of it. Again, I wish I had an answer for you but you may very well have reached the end of the line.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Try these, one at a time, in order:

Sign out of your Creative Cloud account and sign back in. 

Install the latest InDesign and start it, quit, and try to open the older version.

Use Adobe CC Cleaner to remove your Adobe ID Credentials. (Don't remove the software.)