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Problems activating photoshop CS3 [CS3 is dead]

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
December 14, 2017
11 replies
4742 views

Hi, I used photoshop 10 several years ago then upgraded to CS2 and CS3 paying for the upgrades etc. Now every time I launch photoshop I get a message

saying I have to reactivate photoshop and get a new serial number. I got the new serial number and downloaded the new software but i'm still getting the reactivation message. Also, the software available to me is for photoshop 10 so I can't open RAW files as this version of photoshop didn't have this function. And yet I got the serial number of the CS3 upgrade dvd case. I've been on adobe chat about four times but no one seems to be able to help. They're come to the conclusion that I need to pay now for a more recent version of photoshop. Very frustrating! Can anyone help? I have work ready to process but can't get on with it!

Problem or error

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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. Customer Care Agents cannot help you.

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 OShea

Correct answer

Community Expert

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. Customer Care Agents cannot help you.

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

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DcmDon

Participating Frequently

Thank you Nancy. I took your advise and bought a copy of 2020 elements. It took a minute to get used to the new program but I like it. It isn't my comfortable old favorite, but it will be eventually. There are a lot of new things to discover, however if you are just looking to edit your favorite pictures or restore the old ones like I do you can still do that easily enough on the "Expert" setting. The more I use it the more I like it.

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Dcm Don

Participant

How do I obtain the New Installer? For CS3 that does not require reinstallation?

gener7

Community Expert

I'm afraid that ship has sailed.

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Mike_Raeburn

Participant

How and where do I get the new installer and the new serial number? I have CS3 purchased on a CD. It is perfectly adequate for what I do and I don't want to spend more cash on a fancier version.

Jeff Arola

Community Expert

From here:

Creative Suite archive

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Test Screen Name

Legend

I don't know, it's just unusual for the real Adobe (as opposed to fake Adobe reps) agreeing to help with an old version, so I was concerned. Maybe you're trying to use it on a too-new system, a lot of people try to take it past the end of realistic life.

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daniels42560746Author

Participating Frequently

ok maybe you have a point but it was working fine until a few days ago when I got the reactivation message etc. A shame really. I've downloaded a trial version of Adobe Photoshop CC2018 but can't seem to view more than one RAW image at a time which is a pain when you want to apply the same settings to several images. Thanks anyway

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Test Screen Name

Legend

Are you absolutely sure that the email was from Adobe?

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daniels42560746Author

Participating Frequently

Yes because I spoke to a person via the chat facility on the Adobe website. Why do you think some files have been removed which shouldn't have been? Even before that conversation, I'd had a couple of other conversations with people at Adobe about downloading photoshop 10 and using a new serial number but every time I downloaded it, I couldn't open any RAW files.

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karels52040020

Participant

Hi,

I need authorization code. See enclosure.

Thanks.

Karel Sehyl

[email removed by moderator]

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daniels42560746Author

Participating Frequently

I'm still having the same problem. I got an email from Adobe asking me to remove a load of files on my pc. Below is the list:

(although I can download photoshop 10 off the adobe website, Photoshop won't load on my pc and I'm wondering if it's because I've deleted something in the list below)

Anyone help?

C drive> Program files> Adobe
C drive> Program files> common file >Adobe
C drive> Program files X86> Adobe
C drive> Program files X86> Common files> Adobe
C drive> Program data > Adobe

Go to run command and type 'appdata'.
Then from all the three folders delete the Adobe folders.

Local > Adobe
Locallow > Adobe
Roaming > Adobe

Then go back to Run command and type "regedit"
It will bring up the registory editor.

From there delete the registry keys for Photoshop 10.
Hkey current user > software> adobe > Photoshop and CS3 Bridge.
Hkey Local machine > Software > Adobe > Photoshop 10 and Bridge CS3

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Anonymous

Did you reinstall PS after deleting the folders?

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daniels42560746Author

Participating Frequently

yes

Terri Stevens

Legend

As you know the activation server for CS3 has now been shut down. First you must get the new installer that doesn't require activation and the new serial number. Then do the following:

See if you have the cache.db file in the folder below.

'Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache/'

I can't remember if that is a hidden folder or not so you might need to turn on visibility for all files and folders.

If it is there delete cache.db. Try to start Photoshop and you should be prompted for the serial number at which point enter the new one. Click on Never Register.

Then Restart your computer. Hopefully that will work.

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daniels42560746Author

Participating Frequently

thank you will give it a try

Jeff Arola

Community Expert

daniels,

Do you have the new non activation version of photoshop cs3 installed or photoshop elements 10?

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daniels42560746Author

Participating Frequently

new version of CS3. Someone explained that Photoshop 10 was in fact CS3 which I didn't realise.

Martin_Bns

Inspiring

I understand your problem but in 2017, your last problem is activating a Cs3 version on Photoshop. I do not wan to sound rude but the CC2018 is out and your version is pretty old. You should upgrade. It's less than 10 euros per month.

Cheers,
Martin