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A
Anonymous
July 12, 2013
Answered

CS3 activation - "no connection", no support

  • July 12, 2013
  • 7 replies
  • 40965 views

I get "no connection" when trying to activate Adobe Photoshop CS3 (firewall, antivirus is off). Also I called provided number and I didn't get activation code and was told to contact support. Chat support didn't help. What can I do to actiavate CS3 or it's impossible to do?

      Correct answer davescm

      CS3 activation servers are no longer on line so CS3 cannot be activated. For a time Adobe provided non activating versions of CS2 and CS3 but these are no longer available.

       

      The pages below describe the end of life policy from Adobe

      https://helpx.adobe.com/support/programs/support-periods.html

      https://helpx.adobe.com/support/programs/eol-matrix.html#NZ

       

      Not what you are looking for , I know 😞

      Dave

      7 replies

      E
      enlighten1self
      Participant
      September 20, 2021

      Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe and replace this folder with the ORIGINAL folder from the drive it worked on before. This will work to effectively transfer over the files with the saved activation codes, bypassing need to recactivate.

      This assumes you had this working on another computer and either still have access to the files, or have backed them up. If you only have the install key and it is a first time installation, you are probably out of luck.

      Hope this helps.

      BEST OF LUCK!

      H
      Handfix
      Participant
      April 24, 2020

      I too have CS3 and it works just fine.  I just tried to install on a new computer and received the same error.  I reached out and was easily connected to Aabil at Adobe phone support.  He stated that they no longer have their activation servers active.  He also indicates that Adobe considers this end of life and will not give me an activation code over the phone.  I went back to my Adboe license and did not find a clause regarding a time period after which I would not be able to use or install my one-time-purchase.  I am a small business that needs none of the newer advanced features of the modern subscription suite and hope someone at Adobe can help those of us in this situation.

      davescm
      Community Expert
      davescmCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 24, 2020

      There is no-one here that can help you activate CS3. As you said, CS3 is past end of life for support and the activation servers have been taken down.

      Dave

      J
      jutho
      Participant
      January 3, 2020

      Sorry for reactivating this old post.

      I recently had to re-install my computer due to a hd-crash. Now I'm trying to install my Illustrator CS3 again. Of course i cannot connect to the activation servers. they are off. Even the telephone.
      How can I get an Auth Code to use the programm again?

      The links here also are pointing to a not helpful page.

      davescm
      Community Expert
      davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      January 3, 2020

      CS3 activation servers are no longer on line so CS3 cannot be activated. For a time Adobe provided non activating versions of CS2 and CS3 but these are no longer available.

       

      The pages below describe the end of life policy from Adobe

      https://helpx.adobe.com/support/programs/support-periods.html

      https://helpx.adobe.com/support/programs/eol-matrix.html#NZ

       

      Not what you are looking for , I know 😞

      Dave

      M
      michaelv78520530
      Participant
      June 18, 2017

      Where is "Host?"

      gener7
      Community Expert
      gener7Community Expert
      Community Expert
      June 19, 2017

      C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

      J
      jeffersonl2871494
      Participant
      October 28, 2015

      I have the same problem. Photoshop CS3. unable to activate via internet. phone support not working. I created a chat to Adobe Support. I gave them the activation code found when you select the phone support option then they gave me the authorization code. then boom! activated. problem solved.

      T
      tyankee7
      Participant
      January 22, 2016

      how do you create a chat to adobe support??

        B
        B_P_
        Participating Frequently
        March 3, 2016

        I would like to know that, too. I was just talking with online support and all they do is sending me to forums.

          Mylenium
          Mylenium
          Legend
          July 12, 2013

          You need to provide system information. The CS3 servers are just fine, but something on your end is not working...

          Mylenium

          JJMack
          Community Expert
          JJMackCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 12, 2013

          Then check you end make sure there is no file "host' that is redirect any of Adobe web site 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

          JJMack
            A
            Anonymous
            July 15, 2013

            JJMack thank you very much! There was a redirection from "activate.adobe.com" to localhost. I have no clue why and it did not come to my mind that something this basic could be the cause.

            JJMack
            Community Expert
            JJMackCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            July 12, 2013

            Call Adobe I think they may have turned off their CS3 activation servers. CS3 they say is OLD. Remind Adobe you have licenced from them that gives you the right to use CS3. That they need to help you activate CS3.

            JJMack
              D
              Diernayrb
              Participant
              October 1, 2015

              Not easy to  do... can't find a support phone number.

              Do you have one?

                gener7
                Community Expert
                gener7Community Expert
                Community Expert
                October 1, 2015

                This question is old and has been marked as answered. If you need help, open a new question with the suggested details and you will more likely get help.

                Tips for effective posting

                Title: Clearly describe the main problem in the title, but be brief. For example, "Photoshop Elements crashes on launch since updating to version 13" or "Output doesn’t look correct when sending PDF to Fiery RIP." (Titles such and “Help” or “Urgent” aren’t descriptive enough.)

                Message body: Include details, such as:

                • Adobe software title and version (e.g., Premiere Pro CC 2014 v. 8.2)
                • Operating system (e.g., Windows 8.1 or Mac OS 10.8.6)
                • Relevant hardware (e.g., 4GB RAM or video card/driver version)
                • Third-party software in use
                • What you did, what steps you took, what happened at what moment, and what you did to try to resolve it
                • Any screenshots that provide important information to the user who is helping you
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