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URGENT! - Longtime user of Photoshop (since the early 90s). Bought and paid for PS CS3 and it does everything I need, until last week, when a window appeared when I launched PS and said "Temporary Activation" You have 4 days to re-activate this software." Apparently, Adobe is letting the servers that supported older versions die and activation becomes invalid.
They offer a solution, you type in your original product serial number and they issue you a new serial number which supposedly doesn't require activation. I followed every step at least three different times, uninstalling the old, restarting, downloading the new version, restarting, installing, restarting... everything.
The same message appears when I launch the new version and there is no valid option but to quit it. Any ideas? I REALLY don't want to subscribe to the Creative Cloud Photoshop as I already paid hundreds of dollars for the software when I purchased it. It should still work. But it doesn't. I run a photography business and this is sucking a LOT!
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Hi Laura,
just a few suggestions. Run the Adobe cleanup tool to ensure your system is purged of previous Adobe content.
Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems
Now install the version of CS3 that has the activation component removed. You should be in possession of a new serial number as well as the new installer. Restart the computer and start Photoshop to see if it asks for the serial. If it does not and goes into a loop, do a system search for cache.db and delete that file if found. Now try starting Photoshop and see if it requests the serial. If it does check-never register otherwise it will keep trying to reach the non-existent server. Hope it's successful this time.
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I have sadly joined this sad crew of wandering CS3 misfits.
I've done multiple installations and uninstallations of (the 'new') CS3 to no avail - there is no cache.db file for me to delete and exit the ouroboros loop of PS CS3 fustration.
Using the CCCleaner Tool, manually searching for every single Adobe file to squash, only thing left is doing a clean wipe of my PC.
Any suggestions?
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Ok, an update to the 'missing' cache.db location
Was finally led to the location by the Adobe 'chat' people to look under :
Program Files > common files
BUT
mine was located under Program FIles > Common FIles (x86) > Adobe > Adobe PCD
I deleted the cache.db file, and the re-activation with the new serial number works now!
So this solution works!
Resolve "temporary activation expired" error for CS3 and Acrobat 8
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That's great news. Deleting the cache.db almost always solves this problem. The problem is often so many things are tried before the cache.db solution and this can totally wreck the installation and ensure the only way to solve the problem is a fresh, highly time consuming, operating system reinstall. Just to emphasise this the path to the vital file is
Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache/'
where program Files(x86) is depends on the volume the operating system is on -normally C: but it can be anything.However always try Program Files. If you cannot find it do a system wide search for cache.db
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Thanks Terri
One simple thing that they forgot. Easy when you know how.
You are a star.
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my pleasure Champion
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Is there another location for this page or have adobe completely deleted everything for CS3 reactivation opportunities?
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Try running the Adobe CC Cleaner (works on CS too) at:
Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems
If the new serial number and installer are still not working, uninstall everything and try creating a new admin user and install it there. If that works, once it is activated, it should work everywhere.
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Ok, will try this too. Thanks.
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Hi,
Unfortunately CS3 can't be activated now, Adobe took down the servers, also the "non activation" version of CS3 offered for a time is gone now.
I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement.net :: adobe forum volunteer
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