How to install PS CS2 on Windows 7 64 bit???

Question

Please do not advise me to buy or upgrade to CS4, 5, or 6 PLEASE!!!
I've read that there's a definite way to install CS2 (or any 32 bit version of PS) on Windows 7 64 bit successfully with some folder code "C:\progra~2\adobe" or... C:\program~2\adobe...or the same code but with the back slashes in the opposite direction like /.
I'm totally confused: why does the first code say "progra" and leave off the "m" and other say to spell out "program" entirely?
WHICH is correct "progra" or "program" and which way should the slashes go?
I'm very untechnical and don't understand how to do this at all so can someone please explain the install procedure in specific clear steps from inserting the CD to the end?
I saw a member named Marian Driscoll post about this install but don't understand how to do it each step of the way.
I need a new PC and was thinking I would be forced to get a used Windows XP machine to use CS2 but would prefer to get Windows 7 64 bit but won't unless I can install PS CS2 on it successfully.
Can someone please help with detailed install instruction using this floder code?
Thanks so much, I'm desperate!!!

Answer 1

Guys, I appreciate the irritation, but as the Original Poster asked for clear, detailed and plain English explanations for every step from inserting the install disc and on from there I can see why they're lost with such accurate but efficient explanations.
OP, in case you are still looking for support:
1. Insert your CS2 CD, open Windows Explorer, navigate to Computer and then to the drive for your CDs (usually labelled D: or similar), right click it, and choose to Open or Explore.
2. Create a temporary folder on your desktop. Call it something like TempCS2.
3. Find the installing program, usually called setup.exe, and copy that to your temporary folder. If you want to be sure, copy all the contents of the CD to that temporary folder.
4. Right click on setup.exe in your temporary folder.
5. Select "Properties".
6. Click on the tab that says 'Compatibility' in the box that pops up.
7. Click 'Run in Compatibility Mode' and a menu will drop down - from that menu, choose the option 'XP SP2' (Windows XP Service Pack 2). Your Windows 7 computer has now been told to recognise the program as one made for Windows XP (which it is). Also tick the 'Run as Administrator' checkbox at the bottom.
8. Click OK on each box so that all these settings are saved.
9. Now, run (double click) setup.exe FROM YOUR TEMPORARY FOLDER, ie, the one we've made all the changes to, and it should hopefully work properly and start the installation wizard.
10. When you get to the point in your installation wizard's window where it asks you to choose where to install your product, THAT is your INSTALLATION PATH. You need to change it from C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe to C:\Progra~2\Adobe and it will install in the Program Files (x86) location. That's it!
If you are interested, the reason for this is that CS2 is very old software and does not recognise paths (locations) with certain characters in the name like the ( ) brackets in Program Files (x86). We therefore have to use an alternate name for the location, that is, an alternate path. Progra~2 is an 8-character abbreviation for Program Files (x86): the ~ signifies the remainder of the folder name to the computer, and the 2 is simply a record of where the folder falls in the order of all those folders in C:\ which start with 'Progra'. Since you're using Windows 7 64 bit, you have another folder just called Program Files that holds all your 64 bit capable programs: the folder you need is Program Files (x86), the second one down, hence 2. This way, the installer has a path name that it can recognise, and the program is installed in the correct location, rather than in a location which will try to open it with 64 bit architecture instead of the 32 bit architecture that it can handle. Using Compatibility to get Windows to treat it as an XP program allows some aspects of the CS2 suite to work more smoothly and also helps with installation.
If the above doesn't help then I'm sorry but I can do no more for you - I don't have the CD myself to test with!