[Locked] Photoshop CS3 Activation [CS3 is dead]

[al52268624]

Adobe has retired the activation servers for Creative Suite 3 (CS3) and Acrobat 8 applications and has left CS3 users hanging.  When the software is opened, a request for activation appears that cannot be activated because Adobe no longer has activation servers.  Instead, you are told to request a new serial key for a "special version" of the software that has to be installed to replace the original software.  According to Adobe, the "special version" of the software does not require activation.  After requesting a new serial key and installing the "special version" twice, I still get the message that the software has to be activated.  I have spent hours online and on the phone with customer support and no one seems to be able to resolve this issue.  I now have Photoshop CS3 that I purchased for a substantial amount of money that I can no longer use because I can't activate it.  Is anyone else having this problem and is there an answer?

[Jeff Arola]

This is hopefully a stupid question, but you did down the non activation cs3 from here, uninstalled your old cs3 and installed the non activation version?

Download Adobe Creative Suite 3 products

Anyway here's another thread with some suggestions:

CS3 Activation-the solution!

The AdobePCD folder on the mac side is in

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PCD

[carmenb69899451]

HOORAY!!!!

The PCD must have been the key as I finally was able to open PS without receiving reactivate notice.  Will check other components of CS3 but finally feel more positive about their being OK.

Followed instruction carefully (only finding the PCD file per your MAC translation).  Para 8.   In the middle of the first load, a box will open noting a missing AdobePDF.dll file. Use the browse button and find the file at c:Windows/sysWow64/ Once you have chosen this path, click okay.  - never happened and find no AdobePDF.dll file on my iMac.  Completed procedure and tried to open PS - got Not connected again but  in the ReadMe installation download found reference to checking internet connection AND JAVASCRIPT.  Of course, JavaScript NOT enabled so did so, got registrations page  - still showing  no connection but allowing me to click on Never Register and that was Open Sesame for PS.  Later opened PS from dock - no problem - so far.

Thanks so much for this advice.  I have lost about a week's work on this - feels like a year of life - but if this is really a "permanent" fix, you and  micheleu both deserve a bunch of medals!!!!!

Thanks again.

[mothandrust]

Adobe should really get a MAJOR kick in the ass from the Better Business Bureau or a BIG class action lawsuit. Causing these nightmares for people who put out major bucks for their software and then leaving them stranded in Nightmare Land because they are too cheap to give good support (I wonder how many Adobe executives have made millions $$$). There are lots of artists who are NOT techies using Adobe. I haven't yet started trying to get past the "final activation step" with my CS3. My old G4 Mac finally died after 15+ years of faithful service, so after buying a refurbished Mac running OS 10.12, now I have a major battle to get CS3 functioning again. If anyone is good at summarizing and simplifying instructions, all of the above has my brain overheated and smoking. Can anyone list the sequence of steps needed in order to get up and running? My mind is fried after reading all of this.... the last window I got to gave me mumbo-jumbo about firewalls and HTTPS. It says I have 25 days left - is it going to just quit working if I'm unable to jump through all the hoops mentioned on this page? (do U hear a faint voice crying out in the wilderness?... that's me)... (I did all my screaming last night - now I'm down to a faint voice)

[gener7]

I'll try.

If this is your original copy of CS3 you have installed, know that the CS3 activation servers are permanently closed. Your discs are nothing more than drink coasters.

So Adobe has provided a new serial number and a new non-activation free of charge CS3 download. You only need provide your old serial number as qualifying proof.

So start here to get your replacement copy and serial and let me know where you are after that.

Even better and by the numbers instructions: CS3 Activation-the solution!

Gene

[mothandrust]

Thank you Gene. I need a break from the computer, so may not try this until Sat night or Sunday. So glad someone in the Community with knowledge about this is online. Thanks for the quick reply... I need to get into the right frame of mind or I'm afraid I may blow multiple fuses in the gray matter. Have a great weekend !

[gener7]

Ok. Like anything else, it would help to first read and review the instructions on your quiet time before doing any installs or uninstalls.

Adobe has given you a free of charge replacement that does work, so they ain't such bad guys.

Gene

[mothandrust]

Trusting that the 2 .dmg files on my desktop are the apps and content, my thanks to Gene and all who contributed to these Community threads (regarding the dead activation servers and new means of getting CS3 reinstalled). Without the Community help I'd still be swimming in quicksand. Thank you !

[gener7]

Still here if you need us.

Gene

[Yemil]

Gene I followed your instructions and all I get is this notification ?????????

[gener7]

You started here?  Obtain a new serial number | CS3, CS4

[Yemil]

I started there and followed the instructions, I then un-installed my versions of Photoshop CS3 as per instructions.

In order to do the un-instal I had to shut down my browser. When this un-instal was fully completed I re-opened the saved instruction page on the browser and tried to install the new version. This was the notification that came up !

[gener7]

Don't do that.  Go back to the serial number page

and re enter your serial number, you will get the same  new one and see the download page.

[gener7]

There is only one dmg file for Photoshop, but when you click on the link, you'll be asked to install the Akamai netsession downloader and after you do, your download will begin.

[Yemil]

Went back to the

1  Note your serial number section, The new serial number is listed (here is your new serial number)

2  Uninstall Existing Version….Already Completed.

I scrolled down to the  3 Download replacement CS3 installer and I still the get the "DOWNLOAD CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE" when I click on the Mac download link.

I checked  my "Adobe products page" and Photoshop CS3 Extended is listed with the old serial number.

[gener7]

I just tried it using Safari and got the Akamai download window. I successfully downloaded the installer.

Adobe uses cookies. Can you clear those or try another browser?

Gene

[Yemil]

I tried this using Firefox and sure enough the program is now downloading through Akami !

I can hardly wait to see it working again .

Thanks for your patience so far...

I'll be back if there are are any more issues.

[gener7]

Ok waiting on a package anyway. When you uninstalled the old CS3, I hope you checked "remove serial number" in the uninstall wizard or you might have problems.

[Yemil]

I feel pretty sure I did…I hope so because if I have any more problems with Adobe I'll be visiting the closest high bridge to practice my free falling abilities.

[gener7]

It installed without incident on High Sierra, but it will prompt you to install "Legacy Java" before it will open.

Get it here: Download Java for OS X 2017-001

Then when asked, copy and paste the new serial number, and click on "Never Register" when the Registration screen comes up.

It should work fine from there.

Gene

[Yemil]

Well I downloaded the Java just in case on OSX 10.7.5 but when I attempted to install the Photoshop Download I noticed it was  Adobe CS3 Design Premium ?

There never really was a Photoshop CS3 option anywhere on the page that you linked, it just read CS3 and Acrobat 8, but no Photoshop ?

This might be the problem obviously. If it is, where do I find the Photoshop download ?

[gener7]

It's the first on the list if you submitted a standalone serial number and not a suite serial number.

[Yemil]

I only have a standalone serial number read straight from original the Photoshop CS3 box I don't even have a suite number ?

I entered that to get the ball rolling...

[Yemil]

I noticed the first link you posted is for "Creative Suite"…which is where the problem might have started. Is there a single link to Photoshop anywhere ?

[gener7]

I thought I posted the link I used, but try the "correct answer" at the top of this thread.

[Yemil]

Could you post that link again please Gene…I am having trouble finding it amongst all the other links.

Thanks