Adobe cs3 activation fails

due to hard drive crashes i had to restore my imac for several times the last 4 months each time i had to reinstall photoshop cs3 und indesign cs4 as the restored versions did't work.
this time i could not activate ps cs3 anymore (code 159:18) - it asks for activation via phone - a service which is no longer provided.
i just chatted with your help desk and provided them with my ps cs3 and cs2 serial numbers and was told it is a technical issue with no longer support for this software (case number: 0213937091)
funny ...: i can activate (and deactivate) the product on my husbands mac - but not on my imac anymore ...
i am really looking forward for help.
thank you in advance. martina

Hi Martina,
+ Check first if you run a compatible OS.
+ CS3 does only run on XP or os X 10.4 see sys req: Adobe - Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection : System requirements
+ If you run any higher version activation might be an issue due to changes in the OS.
If you run CS2 please use the replacement software: Error: Activation Server Unavailable | CS2, Acrobat 7, Audition 3
In case of a newer OS, please consider a upgrade for the best experience, CS3+ customer are alienable to a discount: Creative Cloud pricing and membership plans | Adobe Creative Cloud
Good luck!

Similar Messages

Adobe CS3 install fails on new iMac

I have been unable to install Adobe CS3 Design Standard on my brand new 27" Core 15 iMac. I have followed all the suggestions from Adobe, but only Acrobat installs okay. Can't get Photoshop, Illustrator, or Indesign to install. On the Adobe forums someone told me that CS3 is not compatible with Snow Leopard. However another post quotes Adobe claiming that it is compatible. I am wondering perhaps if it is the installer that doesn't work with Snow Leopard. Is it possible to boot up this new iMac with Leopard, installed on an external drive? If so, perhaps I could then install CS3 on the internal drive and then re-boot to Snow Leopard and all would be well?

Is it possible to boot up this new iMac with Leopard, installed on an external drive? If so, perhaps I could then install CS3 on the internal drive and then re-boot to Snow Leopard and all would be well?
The new iMac will not run an earlier OS. Besides, even if it could, Adobe can be very fussy about allowing you to move things from one drive to another. It might see it as an unauthorized installation on a second computer. CS2 runs on mine, but don't know about 3.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/170967/handsontest_adobe_cs3_purrs_on_snowleopard.html
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/512/cpsid_51215.html
Not sure, but you might have to first de-authorize it on the Leopard to get it to install on the Snow. There is a "transfer" option somewhere.
Message was edited by: WZZZ
Message was edited by: WZZZ

Cannot install Adobe CS3, Installer fails

Hi, everybody,
I hope somebody can help me here, as for almost 3 weeks now I am trying to install Adobe's CS3 Design Premium and I can't get it to work. Adobe's tech support is very friendly and comes with solutions and things to try now and then but first response time is really slow (48h) and secondly they haven't found a solution yet, though being escalated up in Tech Support levels already.
Problem:
Can't install CS3 (English version), Design Premium
Platform:
WinXP Professional SP2 2002 (all patches) US
Intel Pentium M 1.7 GHz
1.5 GB RAM
C:, D: Partition
On C: still 25 GB available
Computer is in domain.
Have tried to install it as local Admin and Domain-User (who is also in local Admin group with all rights).
Furthermore CS2 is installed, Macromedia, Office products etc.
Details:
1. Can start installer, all screens are accessible, can make entries everywhere.
2. Installation starts and progress bar appears.
3. Installers runs to the end (without any problem), summary screen comes.
4. Summary says that some products could not be installed.
5. Installer installed the "smaller" apps, like Acrobat, Device Central, Bridge etc. BUT NOT Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator etc.
Side effect is that, as Acrobat and Distiller cannot be activated by itself, I cannot use them anymore and the CS3 installer does remove these two CS2 products. Well, working with Reader currently :-(
Also, the numerous uninstallations (45 min!) remove also PDF plug-ins and Flash plug-ins, so a terrible situation to be in.
What I have tried so far (and which hasn't worked):
1. Ran CHKDSK over the hard disks, no issues.
2. Installed from hard disk (instead DVD).
3. Disabled all services and startups, as well as firewalls, virus scanners etc.
4. Let the cs3clean script run (provided by Adobe, which resolves problems if you had CS3 beta installed, which I didn't), with level 1 and 2.
5. Tried to install only specific applications (not all).
6. Ran MSCLeanup app.
7. Analyzed CS3 Install log for FAILED, Error Code 3 etc., no dramatic entries. Only thing that sometimes appears:
- Error 1303, not enough privileges for CONFIG.MSI, which seems to be a known MS issue when the hard disk responds too late. Of course privileges for CONFIG.MSI are there, also tried reapplying them, deleting folder etc.
8. Applied privileges new to all folders.
9. Ran a registry cleaner
10. Deinstalled Bridge 1.0
11. Tried it in Safe Mode, not possible (Installer says cannot be run in sfae mode).
More:
Adobe tech support also suggested to uninstall Bonjour, but I cannot find any entry and therefore have no idea how to uninstall. Add/Remove programs doesn't list it.
As the Installer runs about one hour, it is not only time-consuming, it also kills my productivity, as no Browser, Adobe or MS product can run when the installer is running.
Googled for error 1303 and CONFIG.MSI similar problems. Found numerous entries with CS3 installation issues, with some the CS3 Beta clean script helped, others had success with copying installation folder to hard disk, everybody something else (or no solution). And nothing that helped me.
As I know haven't heard from Adobe Tech Support for four working days, does anybody have any idea what else I could try?
Thanks
Matthias

There are log files that record the process of installation. If errors occur, they will be recorded in those log-files.
You should open up the log file in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Installers. The file is called something like Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium 1.0.log.gz (depending on your install type).
Pay attention to the file extension: it should be .log.gz and not just .log
To open it you should have a program like Winzip or Winrar, because it's an archive file containing a text file.
Search in the text file for the error message. Search for "Error ".
In my case it was "Error 1401.Could not create key \Software\Classes\.svg\OpenWithList\Illustrator.exe. Verify that you have sufficient access to that key, or contact your support personnel."
Now follow these steps:
1. Make sure you are logged in as an Administrator in Windows XP.
2. On the Windows TaskBar, choose Start, Run, type "regedit" (without quotes), and click OK.
3. Navigate to the following key that was of your error message (in my case it is: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\.svg\OpenWithList)
4. Right-click "OpenWithList" and choose Permissions.
5. Make sure your user name displays under "Group or user names."
NOTE: In the Windows XP Pro edition, the user name displays next to the word, Administrators.
In the Windows XP Home edition. the user name may display without the word, Administrator.
If you are not sure whether or not you are logged in as an Administrator, you can verify user rights in the Control Panel, User Accounts.
6. Verify that "System" also displays under "Group and User Names."
If the System name is not there, add it as follows:
7. In the Permissions for OpenWithList dialog box, click Add.
8. Type "System" (without quotes) in "Enter the object names to select" and click OK.
9. In "Permissions for System," make sure "Full control" and "Read" are set to "Allow."
10. Click OK, exit the Registry, and proceed with the install.
Read the tech note as well: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb402035&sliceId=1
My problem was solved this way. Good luck!

Cs3 activation failed with original registration key. How to proceed?

Try to re-install CS3 (or a couple of its components) and the system rejects the original registration key. How to overcome this problem?
Thanks in advance, Berti
Tried the CHAT box support of Adobe and they came with the following:
"Thank you for contacting Adobe Customer Service.
You had contacted us as you were unable to install the cs3 product, I　checked and see that the serial number of the product belongs to the cs3. As cs3 product is the older version product, I'm sorry to inform you that we no longer support the product, In this case I suggest you to visit the Adobe forums. You can post your queries over there. Our experts will help you in resolving the issue soon. I'll provide you the forum link Please visit it and post your queries."

Amazingprojectmanagement I have increased the activation count for your CS3 software.
It does look like you have never registered your Creative Suite 3 software. I would recommend you registered your software under your account at http://www.adobe.com/. You can find additional details at Find your serial number quickly - http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/find-serial-number.html.

Hi, I need to activate my Adobe CS3 on a new computer because my old one died and I'm having difficulty. Tried the normal registration way and then logged in with my Adobe ID and can see the software and activation code already registered. How to get it o

Hi, I need to activate my Adobe CS3 on a new computer because my old one died and I'm having difficulty. Tried the normal registration way and then logged in with my Adobe ID and can see the software and activation code already registered. How to get it on my computer registered?

If your two activation are in use you need to call Adobe. Install CS3 to to point of activation and call Adobe at that point. They have help me in cases like your My Disk crashed and I replaced it. Could not deactivate the crash activation. I done that twice over the years I've been using PS for around 20 years
To see your key you need to click on the product in your Adobe products and services page.

From When Adobe CS3, CS4, Cs5, CS5.5 and CS6 will loose activation support like cs and cs2

From When Adobe CS3, CS4, Cs5, CS5.5 and CS6 will loose activation support like cs and cs2

Nobody can tell you that. CS2 activation was turned off because of bugs in the software that made it too difficult to maintain. so far no such thing has been the case with the otehr versions. Either way, if and when that time comes surely Adobe will let you know and provide a solution...
Mylenium

I want to istill adobe cs3 but it fail

i want to istill adobe cs3 but it fail

I am sorry what are you trying to accomplish? Do you receive any error messages? Which operating system are you using?

Adobe CS3 comonents installation failed

Help I am trying to load CS3 onto a HP Media Centre PC with Vista and ever time I try to load it the message comes up. Summary Shared components successful then 2 errors. Adobe CS3 components install failed and shared components failed. What am I doing wrong ?

Found this, might help, have the same problem, working it, sorry for the reply to old post
http://fredlet.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/installing-adobe-cs3-upgrade/

Adobe CS3 - Acrobot Pro 8 Activation Issue

I reinstall CS3 design premium. Everything seems to be working fine except for Acrobat Pro 8, which won't activate. When you go to Help ---> Activate from the DVD, but it made no difference. When i run acrobot, "Continue Trial or Buy" menu shown, then i enter Adobe CS3 DVD serial number "Invalid Serial Number" shown. now i run trial version, only 19 days remaining, Pls help.... How can I fix this?

Hi,
Before you do that ... try first to trash the Acrobat Prof Preferences file.
You will find this in the Preferences folder ... just drag it to the desktop and try to launch Acrobat Prof 8 again.
IF, this is working than GO in the MENU bar of the Acrobat Prof 8 and select REPAIR CONFLICTS.
Dimaxum

Flash CS3 Activation in Vista Business 32bit

I'm posting this here since I just don't know what else I can
do... Flash customer service seems to be clueless.
We have a volume license for 10 installs of Flash CS3 Pro.
We've installed 2 of these already on XP machines without any
problems at all. Next, I tried to install it on my 32bit version of
Vista Business. I've ran into issues here, and I had to download
the file from adobe in order for it to install properly (it would
not install from the DVD). In any case, I've got Flash CS3
installed on the Vista machine.
However, when I try to activate it using the serial number
provided, I get an error screen that says "Too Many Activations"
and it points me to where I can buy another key or enter a
different serial number. At first, we thought there was something
wrong with our license, but since then, two other people have
installed Flash CS3 on their XP machines using the same license,
and none of them have a problem. However, each time I try to
activate under Vista, I get the "Too Many Activations" error.
We've contacted the volume licensing department, and they
decided it was not a volume licensing error and gave us a phone
number of their tech support. We next called the tech support
department, and after many transfers, uninstalls, reinstalls, etc,
technical support decided it was not a technical issue and sent us
to the activation department. We then called the activation
department and they told us they do not deal with volume licenses,
and sent us back to the volume licensing department!
It seems pretty clear that Adobe has no clue how to fix this
issue, and no department is willing to even take a serious look at
it. On our final call to the volume licensing department, we spoke
for a while and they told us this issue will take a bit longer to
fix and that they will call us within two days. It has been 5 days
now, and it seems Adobe has decided to ignore us. This is extremely
frustrating.
If anyone has ran into this issue when attempting to activate
under Vista, and has a workaround, could you please post something
about it here? Thank you very much.

Here is a little update for anyone who may be experiencing
the same issue...
I was able to find the phone activation screen. In the screen
shot I posted above, you can click next while having the first
option selected. It will go to another screen that allows you to
select phone activation via "other activation options" link (or
something similar).
However...
I attempted to activate over the phone. The phone activation
failed, and I spoke to a person who determined that this is not an
activation issue. I was then transferred to the volume licensing
department (sound familiar? scroll up), and they said they do not
deal with activation, and transferred me back to the activation
department. The activation department again said it was not an
activation issue, and they attempted to transfer me back to the
licensing department... after I complained that they just keep
bouncing me back between the same departments, they again said that
they will escalate the issue, and will call me back (the EXACT same
response I received several days ago when I spoke to them). So,
again, I'm waiting for a phone call back from Adobe which will
probably never come. Good luck!

Adobe CS3 deactivation limits

I am quoting a very interesting article from Macfixit. May be of use to quite a few CS3 users
Adobe CS3 deactivation limits
Adobe's Creative Suite 3 imposes a limit of 20 deactivations per license. This is causing problems for users of cloned backups. MacFixIt reader Dee Dee Martin writes:
"I always try to remember to deactivate Adobe CS3 before cloning a backup, but yesterday (along with numerous other times) I forgot so I booted up from my clone, ran Photoshop and tried to deactivate. I got a big dialog box saying "Deactivation Failed" error code 194:14, call Adobe tech support.
"I was told there is a limit (21 times) that I could deactivate CS3 and I had reached that limit. Adobe made a 'one time exception' and restored my activation count (yes Adobe tracks this stuff), but I would have to completely erase CS3 (using level 3 of their CS3Clean script) obliterating all prefs, settings, tools, printer profiles etc."
There doesn't seem to be a workable solution for this issue at present.

Actually I did use the phone number on the program's notice screen. The auto system of coarse would not work as I had 2 activations going on the software. (One of which was on the old hard drive from broken system. So, there was no way to de-activate that instance without hours of fun with hardware.)
My "error" was not realizing that the installed CS3 products are essentially tied the the hard drive on which they are installed. Actually a combination of the hard drive and motherboard, etc.
I had cloned the old hard drive's partitions to my new hard drive. All attached to the new motherboard. So it was all effectively the same OS system. Even the XP system did not require reactivation. (Though this was probably because about 2 weeks earlier XP had prompted for reactivation when I moved my boot hard drive to IDE channel 2 as IDE channel 1 had failed on the old motherboard.)
I suppose I could have dug the case out from under my desk. Detached the new hard drive, re-attach the old drive and booted. Then spend an hour loading drivers and updates to XP in order to connect to the internet and deactivate Photoshop and Illustrator on the old hard drive. Turns out that might have been faster than my call to Adobe turned out to be.
Of coarse this fun all started over the weekend when I had time to do the hardware changes. I had effectively been nursing the half dead motherboard for 2 weeks before I had a free weekend to do the hardware swap in the first place. Hadn't occurred to me that the CS3 installs would need reactivation as it was the same OS license and installation just moved to new hard drive and motherboard, or I would would have deactivated first.
Adobe's activation screen/notice required action within 6 or 7 days, not 30. I of coarse could have just fired up my laptop and de-activated it. But, then I would still have an instance that could not be de-activated from my end. Adobe had to do the de-activation on their end.
My thoughts on a better activation system. Tie it to the OS instance, not to hardware. Does that mean a savvy user could bypass. Sure. But, users of pirated software are bypassing already with less trouble.
Activation limits: they violate the basic Adobe user license agreement. The way that agreement reads, there should be no reason a user could not swap their second installed instance between a home computer and laptop multiple times a week.
Such a scenario is not that far fetched. An independent graphic artist could easily have an office, and home computer. But, occasionally need to work on the road with a laptop. Should he have to have 2 licenses to switch between his occasional use of his home computer and laptop? Adobe's activation limits say yes, although the the license effectively says no, one license covers that usage. Section 2.4 of license does not say "personal use" it says "exclusive use".
From Photoshop CS3 license:
"2.4 Portable or Home Computer Use. Subject to the important restrictions set forth in Section 2.5 below, the primary user of the Computer on which the Software is installed (“Primary User”) may install a second copy of the Software for his or her exclusive use on either a portable Computer or a Computer located at his or her home, provided that the Software on the portable or home Computer is not used at the same time as the Software on the primary Computer. You may be required to contact Adobe in order to make a second copy."
Frankly I have done just that over the years with earlier versions (AI8, PS 6). Had a primary workstation at the office. Had one at home that I used occasionally for business "midnight calls" and for practice/trying new features, etc. But, also as the same primary user I had the software on a laptop so that I could work remotely on my occasional road trips, vacations, etc. There was never anyone using the software other than myself. But, it was on all 3 computers.
I don't see where that violates the words or spirit of section 2.4 of the license agreement (CS3).
Earlier license for Photoshop 6, effectively stated the same:
"2.4. Home Use. You, as the primary user of the computer on which the Software is installed, may also install the Software on one of your home computers. However, the Software may not be used on your home computer at the same time the Software on the primary computer is being used."
Not using concurrently is understood.
Enough said for now.

Adobe CS3 Production Premium Installation

(Brand New) HP xw8600 Workstation
Intel Xeon 3.00 GHz Processor
3.25 GB RAM
Windows XP Professional
Service Pack 2
DSL High Speed Internet Connection for Activation
I'm trying to install the Adobe CS3 Production Premium package on my new computer. After I select "Install Adobe CS3 Production Premium" from the initial dialog box, a new box saying "Initializing Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium" appears with a progress bar. When the progress bar completes, nothing happens. The license agreement window fails to launch. I've tried copying the Adobe CS3 folder to my desktop and running setup.exe alone with no success.
When I use the same disks on a different computer, the license agreement launches.
Any help you guys can give me would be appreciated.
Thanks

try installing the latest microsoft installer
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5a58b56f-60b6-4412-95b9-54d056d6f 9f4&DisplayLang=en

CS5 on-line activation fails on second computer.

I have been running CS5 for years on my old computer. Just bought a new laptop. Still have all CS5 documentation including serial number. My copy of CS5 is registered with Adobe. When I loaded CS5 on the new computer and tried to activate it, the activation failed repeatedly. My purchase agreement states that I can load CS5 on two computers. Tried to use the phone number for phone activations, but Adobe apparently no longer allows phone activations. While I have been dealing with this matter, Adobe has somehow apparently downloaded A NEWER (CC?) version of the CS programs onto my new computer. The icons have all changed, and when I attempt to activate now, the prompt box displays a serial number that is completely different from my CS5 serial number. I need to talk to a real, live knowledgeable support person from Adobe.

Hi there, I just checked your serial number and can confirm this is not an issue with your activation count. You still have activations remaining.
I do, however, think that there is some confusion on your computer with which version is trying to get activated. To fix this, I recommend running the Cleaner tool: Use the CC Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems | CC, CS3-CS6 to remove the existing Adobe products and then re-download Design Premium for Windows here: Download CS5 products
It's just like starting from scratch to prevent version confusion...please let me know how this goes!
Thanks,
Madison

Unable to resolve installation error for Adobe CS3 Web Premium despite referring to given solution

Hi,
I own a copy of Adobe CS3 Web Premium from a few years ago that was bundled with my Fujitsu Lifebook T5010 on Windows Vista. I wish to install the CS3 Web Premium onto my Acer Aspire X3990 desktop that is running on Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 on 64-bit operating system type. However, the installer prompts the following error: "This software cannot be installed because JScript is not properly registered. Please repair JScript and then restart the installer".
Checking with Adobe website, I came across the following support page: http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/error-2739-installer-closes-cs3.html
whereby it says the solution is to manually register the jscript.dll file. I followed the procedure exactly for that of 64-bit system, but then the following new error pops up when I enter in "regsvr32 jscript.dll" onto Administrator: Command Prompt on C:\Windows\SysWow64 : "The module "jscript.dll" was loaded but the call to DllRegisterServer failed with error code 0x80004005. For more information about this problem, search online using the error code as a search term."
One thing I note is that on the Adobe web link, the operating system mentioned is Vista, while I am currently running Windows 7.
Please help, as the few solutions I found on Google search are mostly repeated calls to ensure that the command prompt is run at Administrator level, which I already am doing so. I need something more than telling me what I had already done but not resolved.
I am asking the same question in parallel to the Microsoft Community page as well, as I do not know where exactly the issue lies with. I hope both sides can give a clear resolution.
I really need help in enabling me to use Adobe CS3 again, as my Fujitsu laptop that ran it without problems had since died off already.

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Mylenium

Adobe CS3 Suite -- How to Get InDesign and Acrobat Pro to Install?

I uninstalled and deactivated my Adobe CS3 Design Premium from my 1st gen Macbook (2006) and installed it on my 3rd gen Macbook Air (2011). When I installed CS3 using the original discs, InDesign and Acrobat did not install properly. How to fix?
My questions:
1. Got any ideas how to install InDesign and Acrobat Pro without uninstalling the whole CS3, running the cleaner tool, and reinstalling everything again? I tried to rerun the installer just for InDesign and Acrobat Pro but I got the same result -- no install.
2. Installing CS3 takes forever -- at least several hours. Is it because I'm sending it over my wireless network? (I'm "sharing" the DVD drive on my other Macbook because my Air doesn't have one.)
Thanks so much!!
(More background, in case it's useful -- before installing CS3, I had run the Adobe Creative Suite Cleaner Tool to clean up the mess I made when I tried to migrate CS3 using Mac's migration assistant. I learned, thanks to this forum, that I couldn't use the Migration Assistant tomove CS3. I also found that the unistaller didn't transfer, so I manually deleted folders and then used the cleaner. It worked wel enough to allow me to install everything but InDesign and Acrobat Pro.)

Thanks Jeff (and Manish). I'm all for better reliability and a quicker installation.
This may seem like a dumb question, but how do I properly copy the CS3 install files onto a USB? Drag and drop everythng from the CD? Can I not just copy the files onto my desktop and install from there? That is what I thought Manish suggested, to install from the desktop.
I had tried this method. After copying the install files to the desktop, here's what happened: I clicked the setup application and it opened, but it immediately detected that I had CS3 installed and wouldn't let me go any further. Perhaps that was due to other problems resulting from use of the Migration Assistant.
Previously, when I used the install disk on the shared drive, I was able to open the setup and install the couple of CS3 programs that weren't installed the first time around. That installation attempt failed and led me here to my original post.
Many thanks!

Adobe cs3 activation fails

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