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Participant
February 23, 2017
Answered

Activation Photoshop CS3 [CS3 is dead]

  • February 23, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 6461 views

Good morning, 10 years ago I bought photoshop CS3 for Mac and now I can't use it anymore because it requires an activation that I have tried to do in different ways without ever succeeding. First I tried the internet activation but it tells me that there were no connection while the computer was connected, by phone there isn't support, and finally I tried manually but it asks the proxy server and port that I don't  know where to find them, it ask also username and password, but which one my adobe ID or Mac? I apologize for my poor English, I would be very grateful to those who can give me a help, I have 4 days time before the program will be closed.

For now I thank you and farewell

Piera

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Nancy OShea

It's 2020 and CS3 and earlier are officially dead now.  The activation servers are gone.  Adobe ended the replacement program by removing links to activation-free installers and serial numbers.  It is no longer possible to re-install CS3.

 

CS 4 - 6 are on life support.  Going forward, if you want Adobe product support, you really need modern software or a paid Creative Cloud Plan.

 

2 replies

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
January 12, 2020

It's 2020 and CS3 and earlier are officially dead now.  The activation servers are gone.  Adobe ended the replacement program by removing links to activation-free installers and serial numbers.  It is no longer possible to re-install CS3.

 

CS 4 - 6 are on life support.  Going forward, if you want Adobe product support, you really need modern software or a paid Creative Cloud Plan.

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
Participant
March 9, 2020

Hello,

I just want to be crystal clear on this subject.  I also purchased CS3 Extended many years ago.  I paid $1200.00 for the complete set.  Recently my PC crashed.  I have installed a new motherboard.  All of my files are saved because I backup faithfully.  I pulled out my old CDs and tried to reload the program and I'm having the same activation problem.  Is it true that the program that I currently have is trash?  I know it's old but $1200.00 was alot of cash back then.  I have a truck thats older than that and I can still get parts for it.

Please tell me I'm wrong about this!

Thanks,

Joe

davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 9, 2020

You are correct. CS3 can no longer be activated.

Dave.

Sahil.Chawla
Adobe Employee
Adobe Employee
February 23, 2017

Hi Piera,

Could you please check the host file and make sure there is no file "host' that redirects any of Adobe website names like"

activate.adobe.com

practivate.adobe.com

ereg.adobe.com

activate.wip3.adobe.com

wip3.adobe.com

3dns-3.adobe.com

3dns-2.adobe.com

adobe-dns.adobe.com

adobe-dns-2.adobe.com

adobe-dns-3.adobe.com

ereg.wip3.adobe.com

activate-sea.adobe.com

wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com

activate-sjc0.adobe.com

hl2rcv.adobe.com

Host file location : C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

Regards,

Sahil

Participant
February 24, 2017

Thanks Sahil for your answer but I have a Mac so the location for the host file that you indicated can't work and I don't know where to look in the Mac. If you have even the location for the Mac I would be really grateful. Thanks again

Regard

Piera