Adobe CS3 - last call?

I bought Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium (Windows,English, professional version, full price) several years ago and was very happy with it.  I've owned used Photoshop since version 4 and now I can' really live without it.  After one of the autoupdates I started getting the 'Licensing has stopped working for this product' error.  I googled the error, ran through every recommended solution on Adobe's page about the error without success, and tried calling tech support.
Currently I have absolutely no Adobe software on my computer- I tried uninstalling everything and running my installer again, and tried redownloading the installer.  The original installer only successfully installs the shared components- everything else displays with a red x and a message that the component failed to install with no links to more information or indications what the problem is.  The re-downloaded installer shows the progress window 'Initializing Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium' fill and then disappear, then nothing happens.
Tech support was polite and made the above suggestion, but made it clear that phone support has been discontinued for CS3.  I use photoshop for mostly personal projects now and I don't need the rest of the creative suite, I'm starting to feel like I'm being strong-armed into buying an upgrade.
Is there anything else that I can do to just get the software that I paid for working?
Thanks for any suggestions.

Hi ProDesign,
Thanks for response and these suggestions. 
I don't have another Windows machine handy to try re-downloading and installing, but that's certainly a good debugging step.
I'll open a support ticket requesting them to remove license activations
I'll watch the Creative Suite Cleaner Tool article for the Windows version- " We are uploading the latest version of the Adobe Creative Suite Cleaner Tool for Windows shortly."
I'll update this post as soon as there's movement on any of these fronts in case anyone else is stuck on a similar problem.
Thanks again!

Similar Messages

  • Adobe CS3 Windows 7 Pro 64bit Issues

    I recently upgraded to Windows 7 Pro 64bit Edition after my system crashed.
    I installed Adobe CS3 without a problem and it ran fine for a little while. Then one
    day I started up Photoshop and then it just stopped working. So I decided to uninstall
    it and reinstall it. When I started the installation, it halted and asked for this Adobe.dll file
    so it complete. I clicked cancel and it aborted.
    I have read many of the forums and they all suggest downloading a file or windows xp mode
    or virtual pc.
    I have downloaded the file that it needs and it still aborts the installation. I have downloaded
    windows xp mode and installed it succesfully but I have no wish to use this software virtually
    because it is limited in the amount of memory it can use and seems to be a bit sluggish
    regardless of how much memory I allow it to have access to. I also have no access to my second
    monitor.
    Now that I have tried to install cs3 on multiple occasions, i now have to call Adobe so I can have
    them reactive my copy. Adobe has to have some sort of work around or patch for this
    because I cant forsee spending another grand for an upgrade to solve my problem.
    Here is my system specs:
    HP Pavilion M8530f
    AMD Phenom 9550 X4 Quad-Core processor 2.2 gigahertz
    7 gigabytes memory
    ATI Radeon HD 5750 Video card
    2 monitors
    2 terrabyte hard drive

    I am hoping its not because this a serious waste of having a 64 bit system if it is. do you know if this may be cause by a certain release version of cs3? i can imagine why any software would ask me to locate adobepdf.dll when it find itself on the cd. this is very puzzling. i have eliminated the video card, hard drive, and processor. frankly, i don't think i should work so hard to figure out how to eliminate a software especially when i paid so much money for it. if adobe doesn't find a solution, i guess i will have to find some other software that gets the job done without all these head aches.

  • Adobe CS3 Windows 7 installation says does not meet minimum requirements

    I am trying to install Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium on a brand new Windows 7 machine (32-bit). It is a downloaded copy from Adobe's website.
    When I start the install process, it takes me to the "Options" Screen and will not let me install Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. All those options are grayed out.
    At the bottom, the reason it gives is as follows:
    "The minimum system requirements listed below needed to run adobe photoshop cs3 are required and are not met:
    - Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
    - Windows Vista"
    It gives the same error for the other 2 programs as well.
    I have tried the following troubleshooting steps already with no luck:
    1. Run Setup.exe as Administrator
    2. Run Setup.exe in compatibility mode (either as Windows XP SP2, or Windows Vista)
    3. Logged-in to Administrator profile and tried installing from there
    4. did the regsvr32 on both vbscript.dll and jscript.dll.
    5. Tried the CS3 cleanup tool at multiple levels.
    6. Made sure there are no other Adobe products installed
    7. Called Adobe Tech support, they are no help. They said to re-install the OS, which doesn't make any sense since it's a clean install.
    No AV installed yet, so that's not the issue either.
    Any ideas?

    I realise I'm a bit late to the party here.. but after spending a few hours going through the Adobe CS3 Bootstrapper and Install process and files, I have the answer to why Windows 7 does not meet the minimum requirements.
    The answer is in the xml files contained in the payloads for the CS3 Installation.
    Line 72786 of AdobeIllustrator13en_US.proxy.xml :
    <SystemRequirementsJSON>[
         {"OS":{"Windows":{"XP":{"Exclude":true,"Require":{"MinServicePack":"2","@servicePack64Bit" :1
    ,"Need64Bit":"0"}},"Server2003":{"Exclude":true},"Vista":{"Require":true}}},
                                  "Memory":{"System":{"Default":{"Require":"512","Exclude":"500"}}},
                                  "Display":{"Default":{"Require":{"Width":"1024","Height":"768"},"Exclude":{"Width":"800"," Height":"600"}}}
    ]</SystemRequirementsJSON>
    Basically it is this: For Adobe Illustrator CS3 the following is supported: Windows XP SP2, or Vista ONLY
    Not Windows XP SP2 or above, or Windows XP SP2 and Vista or above ...
    The same is in several other files, but not all. Illustrator and InDesign are the 2 that I know of.
    I have 500 odd machines that I need to deploy this software to.
    If Adobe would like to offer a work around with consideration to deploying the software silently via Microsoft SMS to 500 Windows 7 Workstations - I would be most grateful.
    My rage at software installer developers with such little foresight is only tempered by the knowledge that the task itself is so difficult.
    However, that does not excuse the lack of thought given to how enterprise level administrators are supposed to deal with updates, patches, and deployments to machines where users have limited rights, and the difficulty that is caused by the inclusion of unhelpful and sparse documentation and software (such as Adobe Updater).

  • 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.

    Fix site display problems with Compatibility View - Windows Help
    Mylenium

  • Adobe cs3 won't install on Windows 7(32-bit)!

    A friend of mine finally convinced me to install Windows 7, and he had good reason to. This OS really lives up to the hype thats been going on...but, Im having trouble installing an ESSENTIAL program(s) to this great OS, Adobe CS3 Design Premium. I installed Windows 7 (32-bit) from a DVD, with the product key, which I think is the "clean install" Ive been hearing about. I read something that says Windows 7 doesn't recognize a certain file associated with Cs3, maybe thats why it wont load. I attached a screen shot of my system specs, if it helps. But this is what happened.
    - When I insert the software DVD, the autoplay feature pops up, then Windows "User Account Control" asks me if I want to allow the changes.
    - I click "Yes," and then the "Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium" window pops up and gives me the option to: Install CS3 Design Premium; Install Adobe Acrobat 8; and Browse CD.
    - I choose "Install CS3" and then a window "Initializing Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium" with a progress bar.
    - The bar fills up, but when it finishes nothing happens.
    I checked the tasked manager and see that, that adobe setup.exe is running somehow, but nothing happens. I have search on Adobe forums and google for possible solutions, but nothing has worked so far. I have tried:
    - Runnning the setup application from the DVD (in Adobe Design Premium CS3 folder) as "Administrator"
    - Ran "wincs3clean," to remove any existing adobe programs from the system.
    - Ran ccleaner, to fix/repair any registry problems or anything else.
    - Tried copying the content of the DVD onto the desktop and run it as Admin.
    - Used the command.exe (as admin) and ran the "regsvr32 jscript.dll" and "regsvr32 vb(something)"
    - Ran Windows 7 in "simplified" mode, where I disabled any services/processes from interferring with the setup, through the msconfig feature.
    - Cleared the Windows temporary files, as this was a solution for Vista, I thought might work.
    - Tried updating my drivers, everything was uptodate.
    - Called Adobe Technical support, waited about 30 mins, and then was told "Adobe does not support Windows 7, so the install may or maynot work." (They could help if they wanted to).
    - Tried restarting in a previous version, to see if it would install, but the admin password that I had before isnt working now for some reason.
    Ive seen reports of people having Adobe CS3 installed on Windows 7 and working fine, so I know its possible. Its just frustrating that I cant get it to work. Somebody (bodies), please help me. Let me know if there is any other info needed. Ive struggling with this for some time now.
    Thanks A-Mil in advance,
    Gary D.

    i am having very similar issues and after working on this for days i'm ready to trash all Adobe products..   i've been in DP for 35 years and have never had this much trouble with anything - ever.
    i migrated to a new machine using windows 7 from and XP machine.  i used PCmover to port applications and all are working just fine except my Adobe CS3 products.   When i try to open them i get some sort of message about catastophic licensing problem and the product immediately closes.  i'd detail the error but it's only up for about  4 milliseconds before it disappears.
    so i tried reinstalling CS3 and it loads the autoplay just fine and then i click on 'install adobe cs3' icon and see the progress bar moving for about 2 secons and then that disappears and then NOTHING.
    so i found suggestions about using the CS5 cleaner tool and ran that bout it didn't even find the application..
    so i went to control panel and clicked on 'uninstall' for CS3 and it seems run for about 3 seconds and then NOTHING..
    so i installed a windows cleanup tool that was recommended but that's been retired by Microsoft because it caused other problems so i didn't run it..
    short of formatting my hard drive and starting over installing over 50 apps on my new computer, i'm at a loss and so extremely frustrated with Adobe that i am willing to learn another set of programs to replace them and to tell the world.

  • I have elements 7 loaded on my laptop. I bought a new one and want to load it onto the new one. I talked to someone on adobe site last night and he gave me a link to down load it. it failed so i googled it, and the downloaded it just fine. I went on to th

    i have elements 7 loaded on my laptop. I bought a new one and want to load it onto the new one. I talked to someone on adobe site last night and he gave me a link to down load it. it failed so i googled it, and the downloaded it just fine. I went on to the adobe site signed in and looked at my product history and got the product #, however, when i entered the product # i it didn't likeit. What do i do?

    Is your laptop running Windows XP, windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1?  If so then I suggest download a tool that will retrieve the serial number from the old laptop which you can use it on your new machine.  The tool is called:
    Belarc Advisor
    It can be downloaded from here:
    <http://www.belarc.com/Programs/advisorinstaller.exe>
    Install this and then run it by double clicking on its icon and then wait for about 5 minutes while it generates all the info about your machine and software keys.

  • Adobe CS3 won't install - could classic be an issue?

    I had forgotten I even had classic until this morning on the phone with Adobe Tech Support. Problem is: Adobe CS3 will not install. My case now has been escalated to Tech Level 3, and I am awaiting that call. In other words, many fixes have been tried already, including a new disk Fed-Xed here. Anyway, I was just thinking.... what if some small component of Classic is causing this problem? I absolutely do not need it. If one of you wonderful experts thinks this might be it, I also would need to know how to uninstall it. (All the other questions in this forum seem to be how to make it work.) Thanks for reading.
    PS The reason I thought of this was the Adobe Tech (Level 2) guy had me check every font to make sure none were locked. (None were.) We also repaired permissions and did the CS3Clean script several times at the Level 4. (I have to do all this all over again every time I try to install and it fails.)

    For the record, this was the solution: Leopard was installed (clean) on this computer, and CS3 still wouldn't install. An Apple certified person tried many things after that. Spent about 8 hours and was about to give up. The idea that finally worked was to install the suite on a different hard drive and then "migrate" it to my hard drive (whatever migrate means). It was a truly horribly experience, and I am not anxious to do business with Adobe again.

  • 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.

  • Using Adobe CS3 app's via ARD?

    Hello,
    I'm wondering if anyone has tried to use the Adobe CS3 design app's via a VPN connection. I have a client who's office will be physically inaccessible for 2 weeks plus, but their computer and internet connection will be functioning normally. I've tried and succeeded in setting up a solid VPN connection, and can remotely control her machine via ARD, screen sharing (10.5.x) and VNC.
    The problem arises when trying to use some of the finer control tools within the app's. Specifically, the pencil tool. I get random starburst type rays across the pasteboard. I've checked to make sure that no specific brush strokes are selected. If someone at the office uses the machine with all the same settings the pencil works fine. I've had intermittent success using the pencil in InDesign, but Illustrator and Photoshop consistently give me bad results.
    Any thought would be much appreciated.
    Thanks,
    Randy

    First: if you have CS3 on your computer and do not have the install disks then you are in violation of the software license.
    Second: Minor bugs in Photoshop and Dreamweaver. PS gets slower and slower the longer you work in it.
    Last question: probably not as the installer puts files in various places.
    The operative answer is the first one. You are on your own conscience.

  • 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 Master Collection Content...Help! Where does it go?

    Hello,
    I just installed Adobe CS3 Master Collection on my G4 PowerBook, and with the install discs there is a CONTENT disc which contains a folder called GOODIES with content like photos, fonts, clip art etc. Basically all the files i need to use the programs.
    Can someone tell me where these are supposed to go? Do I drag them somewhere?
    Thanks

    It doesn't make a bit of difference where you put them. Just copy them all into a folder anywhere on your hard drive.

  • Adobe CS3 Master Collection Content...Where does it go?

    Hello,
    I just installed Adobe CS3 Master Collection on my G4 PowerBook, and with the install discs there is a CONTENT disc which contains a folder called GOODIES with content like photos, fonts, clip art etc. Basically all the files i need to use the programs.
    Can someone tell me where these are supposed to go? Do I drag them somewhere?
    Thanks

    This is forum for supporting Apple software and hardware.
    You may find it useful to post your question on the adobe support site.
    Good luck,
    x

  • About Adobe CS3 Design Premium Software Package Plz Help.

    Hi All,
    I am doing a course in Designing Websites With Dreamweaver my
    lecturer has told me to buy the Adobe CS3 Design Premium Software
    package as I would like to be self employed selling my own
    websites, my question is: how often will I need to upgrade the
    Adobe CS3 Design Premium Software package (commercial use) do I
    have to do it every time new Adobe Software comes out? is it
    possible to leave it until the second or third new version of Adobe
    CS3 Design Premium Software package comes out so I will be able to
    get the upgrade version?
    My other question is: my lecturer has advised me to buy the
    Student Version of Adobe CS3 Design Premium Software package (for
    non commercial use) is it true that Adobe will limit your usage? if
    yes how do they do it? as there are probably millions of Adobe CS3
    Design Premium Software packages in the UK alone!
    Thank You For Reading This And Maybe Replying To It.
    Yours Sincerely,
    Oliver

    > last question I promise (lol): What is the difference
    between the Full
    > Version
    > and the Upgrade Version?
    Functionally, nothing but from a licensing point of view:
    everything.
    A Full version of the software is a brand new license so the
    software can be
    installed on a computer which does not already have the
    software installed.
    e.g. CS3 Full version + CS3 Full version = CS3 (2 licenses; 1
    on each
    computer))
    An Upgrade version is merely an upgrade to an existing
    license. i.e. can
    only be used to upgrade an existing, qualifying installation
    of the software
    on a computer. An upgrade cannot be installed on a computer
    which does not
    already have an earlier qualifying version of that software
    installed.
    e.g.
    CS2 Full version + CS3 Upgrade = CS3 (1 license)
    CS Full version + CS3 Upgrade = CS3 (1 license)
    Version 7 Full version + CS3 Upgrade = CS3 (1 license)
    But Version 6 Full version + CS3 Upgrade = cannot be done
    because Version 6
    does not qualify for a CS3 upgrade license (Adobe policy).
    Regards
    John Waller

  • Adobe CS3 Web Premium DVD or software (Windows)

    I've recently needed to re-install Adobe CS3 Web Premium for Windows, and as it turns out the DVD is defective. I contacted Adobe for a replacement, and they informed me that they had neither the DVD nor the software that I could download. They said my only option was tio pay for the upgrade to CS34
    I am looking for help in the Adobe community. Would someone be willing to make me a copy of the software? I have a valid retail license and only need the DVD or software download. I would reimburse you for the media and any shipping you may incur. Thanks
    walter.nski

    Whoever you spoke to at Adobe gave you really incorrect information. Call back ask to speak with a supervisor.
              - Dov

  • Reproducible save bug in Adobe CS3 Apps on MacOS 10.4.11

    I've found what appears to be a bug in Adobe CS3 apps in their interaction with Navigation Services in 10.4.11. To reproduce:
    Create a folder on your Desktop.
    Save an AI or PDF file from Illustrator, or a TIFF or JPEG from Photoshop (these are the only file types I've tested so far.)
    Copy your folder from the Desktop to a fileserver volume.
    Move the original folder from the Desktop to the root of your hard drive.
    Copy the folder from the fileserver volume BACK to the Desktop.
    Open your file from the folder on the Desktop. Make a change to the file, and choose "Save As"
    Note the location that the Save dialog tells you - the folder on your Desktop. Save your updated file with a new name.
    Go to the Finder and notice that your new file was saved NOT to the folder on your Desktop as the Save dialog box told you it was, but rather it was saved to the ORIGINAL folder - the one we moved to the root of the hard drive.
    Note that this only happens when using the "Apple Dialog" in Open and Save dialogs in Adobe CS3 apps. If you use the "Adobe Dialog", the Save dialog box will tell you that it's saving at the root of the hard drive, rather than in your Desktop folder. This is still the incorrect behavior, of course (the Save dialog's location should be the last location used - in this case, the folder on the Desktop) but at least your Save dialog isn't lying to you.
    This problem is not present in CS3 apps running on MacOS 10.5.5 (due, I'm sure, to the extensive work done in 10.5.4 to cure 10.5 Navigation Services bugs.) Has anyone else run into this bug? Any ideas for solving it?

    Agreed. It probably will not be fixed.
    One piece of information I neglected to state originally - this bug does not affect other applications. I specifically tested Quark 6.52 and Word 2004. While some blame I'm sure belongs to Apple and Navigation Services, some blame is also due to Adobe CS3.

Maybe you are looking for