Activation: how can I recover from a hard drive crash?

My hard drive crashed on me...  All my data is safe, but now I have to figure out how to reactivate both Lightroom 3 and CS3.
I have rebuilt the failed machine with a new hard drive, but it was getting rather old so I also took the opportunity to purchase a new machine.  My intention is to get Lightroom and CS3 installed and registered on the new machine.  I understand that under normal circumstances I could deactivate Adobe products on the old machine, install and reactivate on the new machine.  But since I rebuilt it, the old machine doesn't actually have Lightroom and CS3 installed and activated -- no activation, so no chance to deactivate.
I see two options.  Which is easier?
I could reinstall both Lightroom and CS3 on the old machine, activate them, then deactivate them, then install and activate on the new machine.  If I reinstall and reactivate on the old machine, will Adobe's activation service recognize that I'm reactivating on a machine that already had Lightroom and CS3 installed (everything is the same except the hard drive)?  If not, will I be able to activate since I will be trying to activate an already-activated license?
Alternately, I could just install on the new machine and attempt to activate there.  I expect I'll run into problems, again because I'm trying to activate with a key that was used to activate on a different system.  I expect I'll have to phone into Adobe to clear this up.
I'm concerned that if I take the wrong path it will make it more difficult to get everything working in the end, possibly to the point where Adobe will refuse to allow me to activate my licences on my new machine.  Does anybody have any advice?
Thanks.

Since CS3 is not a shipping version there is NO activation needed, only the current shipping version. Install CS3 and insert the serial number.
Do the same with LR. No install, uninstall, gymnastics needed nor phone calls to Adobe Tech Support.
I did this when my power supply shorted and took the whole machine up in smoke, all four hard drives worth. When I got the new computer I just installed CS2 with the license and no activation needed.
Rich

Similar Messages

  • How do I recover from a hard drive crash??

    I had an extreme hard disk crash with all of my images and the recovery service could only recover a few of the images.  Here's my problem - when I originally imported my Nikon images (.NEF format) into LR, I created a new .dng format and saved the .NEF images as the backup copy.  Now that I'm trying to get images back, when I try to import from the backup image in the .NEF format, I get a message in LR that says "The files appear to be unsupported or damaged."  What the heck does that mean?  What good are the backups if I can't get to them in LR?  Please help or I've lost thousands of images to use in LR.

    Quilla98 wrote:
    I just did some checking and LR seems to import .NEF format files if taken with the D70 but not with the D90.  So it appears you are absolutely correct about 1.4.1 not supporting the D90 .NEF files.  I guess Bridge can handle the D90 .NEF format but LR won't.  So to use the same process again, I'd have to somehow clear all of the files that Bridge has and start over.  It would probably be much simpler to either use the DNG converter or upgrade to LR 2.
    Support for the D90 was introduced along when the Camera Raw 4.6 update whereas Lightroom 1.4.1 only supports cameras included by Camera Raw 4.4.1. So, yes you will have to upgrade to Lightroom 2.x or convert the NEFs to DNG format.

  • I am trying to recover from a hard-drive crash & need to reinstall photoshop.  How do I do that?

    I am trying to recover from a hard-drive crash & need to reinstall photoshop.  How do I do that?

    What version of PS?  If it's CC, just reinstall the CC application manager then PS and sign in.  For an earlier version you will need to call Abobe to have you S/N reset.

  • Recovering from a hard drive crash

    I had a complete hard drive crash and lost all of the songs in my ITunes library. All the songs are on my IPod. When I reinstall ITunes, is it possible to transfer the songs from my IPod back into my computer? If so, how. I have over 12,000 songs on my IPod so I have no desire to reload all of the CD's again.

    For iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
    Find out how to do that here.
    How to copy iTunes purchases from an iPod to a computer.
    For all other non purchased content (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
    Enable your iPod for disk use.
    See: iPod Disk Use.
    Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
    Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
    Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
    The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
    If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
    Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it is a little more involved than other methods.
    Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
    One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
    Another free program is Pod Player.
    SharePod is also freeware.
    If you want to recover just the structure of playlists from the iPod (and not the actual song files themselves), there's iRepo for Windows. which I understand has this feature along with all the standard features for these programs.
    iPodRip also has the feature enabling you to reconstruct playlists.
    There is also CopyTrans. This does preserve ratings/playcounts etc if those are important to you but this program is not free. It also supports video transfer.

  • How can I tell if my hard drive crashed

    I've had my MacBook for slightly more than one year and for no reason that I can think of it will only boot up to a screen that looks like an apple with a problem. I took it to an Apple store and they told me that he hard driv crashed and it would cost $700 for a new one. I paid $1000 for it brand-new. Any suggestions to determine if it is the hard drive and how I might be able to salvage what's on it/get it going again? Please help!

    Try this first:
    Extended Hard Drive Preparation
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder. If you need to reformat your startup volume, then you must boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger or Leopard.)
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (only required for Intel Macs) then click on the OK button. Set the number of partitions from the dropdown menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the volume(s) mount on the Desktop.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    This will erase any data stored on the drive, so I hope you have backups.
    If the drive still cannot be made functional or the SMART status indicates the drive is failing, then you will need to replace it. It won't cost $700 and you can do it yourself: MacBook (13 inch) Hard Drive Replacement Instructions (Do it yourself Manual).
    Replacement drives can run from $50 to $350 depending upon size, make, model, and speed. You can find replacement drives at OWC. Your computer can use any 2.5" notebook SATA drive up to 320 GBs. Only Samsung makes a 500 GB drive that will fit in a Macbook.

  • I am recovering from a hard drive crash and Windows 7 reinstall.

    I have reinstalled LR 4.3, photos still in same external drive location, LR catalog back to C:My Pictures file (from backup).
    How do I now add these photos and connect the LR4.3 with the LR catalog to preserve my edits to date on these photos?
    Thanks

    If you have Lightroom installed, then all you should have to do is double click on the catalog that you restored.  If the external hard drive letter is the same as it was before, you should be ready to go.  If the letter has changed it will be necessary for you to use the find missing folders feature to get things synchronized.

  • Recovering from a hard drive crash with play counts in tact - Is it possibl

    I keep all my mp3s on an external hard drive. Well, I did until it just crashed. Luckily, I backed up everything just yesterday to another hard drive so I didn't lose anything. My only issue is this...itunes can't find the files. I guess I can just start from scratch but I don't want to lose my play counts. Is there any way to easily "point" itunes to the back up location? This is more important to me than it should be, I guess.

    I keep all my mp3s on an external hard drive. Well, I did until it just crashed. Luckily, I backed up everything just yesterday to another hard drive so I didn't lose anything. My only issue is this...itunes can't find the files. I guess I can just start from scratch but I don't want to lose my play counts. Is there any way to easily "point" itunes to the back up location? This is more important to me than it should be, I guess.

  • How can I startup from my hard drive instead of Darwin/BSD screen?

    Hi,
    I have read most of the forum that was discussed regarding about the darwin/bsd screen. I still can not find the solution to solving my problem.
    After using the Disk Warrior disc as a startup to fix the directory, and restarting the computer. It startup from the Disk Warrior disc again. After i took out the disc, this is when the darwin/bsd screen appears.
    I had tried the following:
    pressing OPTION KEY while it boots up, still wont recognize the HD
    pressing C KEY while it boots up, still wont recognize the HD
    pressig the SHIFT key while it boots up, still wont recognize the HD
    Also, I had misplaced the disk utility disc..
    can someone tell me how to resolve this situation..
    desepartely seeking help

    Hi!
    I am not sure if you have seen this solution to Darwin/BSD screen, but it has worked for others: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=320663&start=15&tstart=0
    If Option booting does not get you to boot off your external boot drive there a couple of things I can think of:
    1. Hold down the "X" key from a cold start while you hit the power button.
    2. Boot from the Installer CD, then go to the Installer Menu and choose startup drive.
    3. A third, for good measure. It never hurts to Reset the PRAM, and often helps. Reset PRAM (from a cold start hold down Command + Option + P + R while hitting the power button and holding for 3 chimes. Release and allow to boot.
    Hope at least one of these help.
    Good luck.
    cornelius
    PismoG4 550, 100GB 5400 Toshiba internal, 1 GB RAM; Pismo 500 OS (10.4.4)   Mac OS X (10.4.5)   Beige G3 OS 8.6

  • How can i format my external hard drive to write files from Mac without loosing the files that i alredy have on my external hard when i used it with windows?

    How can i format my external hard drive to write files from Mac without loosing the files that i alredy have on my external hard when i used it with windows?
    I have been using Windows to write files to my 1TB WD external hard drive and I do not want to format to loose the files capacity of around 500GB
    Someone, Please help

    Hi Allen,
    Is there any way to store the back up to Mac and restore after formating?

  • How can a format an external hard drive to Fat 32 format

    how can i format an external hard drive to a Fat 32

    Drive Preparation
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to MBR then click on the OK button. Set the format type to MSDOS (FAT)  Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.

  • How can i reformat my external hard drive without loosing any data?

    how can i reformat my external hard drive without loosing any data?

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    It's impossible to format a hard drive without losing the data. One thing you can do before formatting is to copy the files from the external drive to your internal drive, and then, format the external drive. After formatting, copy the files to the external drive again, and everything will be as before formatting it

  • How can I partition my external hard drive supporting mac OS in one partition and windows OS in another?

    Hello everyone, how can I partition my external hard drive supporting mac OS in one partition and windows OS in another?

    OK. Start with:
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to two (2). Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Click on the Erase tab in DU's main window. Select one of the two partitions, preferably the first one, change the Format type: to MSDOS then click on the Erase button.

  • Changed hard drive... How do I transfer from old hard drive to new hard drive

    hanged hard drive... How do I transfer from old hard drive to new hard drive.
    I have installed the new hardrive on my macbook and reinstalled the software... how do I transfer the information form the old drive to
    the new one.
    ?can I put the old drive in another macbook and connect via firewire???
    Thanks

    Put the old hardrive in an external hardrive case....like this...
    eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/on-the-go
    .....this is just an example their are less expensive models....

  • How can I use a firewire hard drive on a new Macbook with one USB-C only?

    How can I use a firewire hard drive on a new MacBook with only one USB-C?

    kaz-k is correct about FireWire not being supported by any possible connector or adaptor to USB-C and never will.  However, there is no such thing as a FireWire Hard Drive.  There are only SATA (or if it is a really old one, ATA,) drives in a FireWire enclosure.  If you can remove the drive from the case/enclosure - bust it open somehow if it is a glued-up unit - then the drive can be placed into a regular USB3 enclosure. Then it can connect to the new MacBook via any one of the adaptors Apple sells.

  • How can I completely wipe the hard drive with out the Mac OS X disc? I don't need any of the info on the computer.

    How can I completely wipe the hard drive with out the Mac OS X disc? I don't need any of the info on the computer.

    You can't unless you have a bootable system on an external drive you can use. Otherwise, you need either the original disc that came with your computer or a retail copy of Snow Leopard DVD. The latter contains 10.6.3, so your model must be capable of booting from that or an earlier version of OS X.
    You can purchase replacement discs from Apple:
    Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
    To contact product and tech support: Apple - Support - Contact Apple Support.
    You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
    After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mountain Lion if your computer meets the requirements.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Printing Troubles on Macbook Pro

    A month ago, I did not know what happened to my macbook Pro printing system. Whenever I wanted to print a PDF in black color only, there would be a supporting code appeared: 91 The following ink cartridge will be used for the specified printing. "Col

  • Problem opening internet radio stations using WMP player as default.

    I've experinced a problem whit Safari saying that i don't have WMP installed when im certain it is installed. I'm sure that it isn't a extention conflict or such. This following station is the one i've attempted to access when the problem above happe

  • CC 2014 - Audio quality reduced from original video

    I used to use Adobe Premiere Pro CC WITHOUT THE 2014 version FYI Let me explain: -Back then i've been using Adobe Premire Pro CC peacefully using the GPU Mercury Playback thing activated. No problems AT ALL. -After recording a TV program and getting

  • Premiere CS4 capture screen won't open

    I was capturing video from mini DV tapes. after 7 tapes of capture, Premiere CS4 capture screen wouldn't open. I had the thing working fine and for some unknown reason the capture screen quit opening. .I've tried restarting the program restarting the

  • Canon MF4270 won't print after reinstall.

    I've had this Canon MF4270 for years now. It's been connected directly to an old iMac via USB and working fine. Today I installed a receipt-scanner that asked to be installed directly to the computer via USB, and so the Canon lost its spot and was mo