Problem installing PS-CS2 upgrade from Version 4

Question

I upgraded my Photoshop software from Version 4.0 to Version CS2 in July of 2006. At the time, I had an issue installing it and had no problems calling Adobe and having them walk me through a couple extra steps to install the program (because it was a "special" upgrade that was offered from a version earlier than 5.5, which was normally what you had to have in order to upgrade to CS2). So, no problem there, got the program installed.
Fast forward to this week, when I received a new computer for Christmas (a little early) and I tried installing the software. I called Adobe and they said they can't help me because the software is now out of its "support" time frame and the only way they could help me was if I purchased CS4. I have searched online at Adobe for a couple hours and can't find anything giving me the information I need to duplicate the extra steps I had to take when I initially installed the program 3.5 years ago. I don't use Photoshop a lot but there are a few times when I use it for photos and so upgrading is not something that I want to do at the moment (CS2 is fine for what I need). Is there anyone out there that can help me, or perhaps point me in the right direction with the correct information?

Answer 1

Are these the extra steps, in this case for CS4, that involve a challenge-response from an Adobe rep?  These same steps could be performed by a keygen, which is why Adobe went to background server activation and blacklisting.  The scenario this quote is from involves upgrading from a promotional Elements that came with a tablet.  The message is from 10/5/09 3:28pm (CDT?):
"The customer representative asks me to open PS CS4.  It goes straight to the activation page.  I enter my PS CS4 S/N and hit 'Next'.  It goes to the page where it requires the PS Elements version and Serial Number.  The representative indicates that I leave the SN space blank and press Ctrl+Shift and click inside the activation dialog twice.
It goes to an 'Upgrade Code Entry Dialog' window where it shows a Challenge Code that I had to give to this person on the other side of the phone.
2 minutes later, this person gives me a 6 or 8 digit code that activates my Photoshop license.  And that was it."
I am not sure what the equivalent is for CS2 but I think there is some way to get to a Phone Activation thing, which you may have already done, that involves a challenge-response .  The unfortunate part is that it involves an Adobe person, and they've already told you they don't support the older version.
It's possible you could tell them you are doing a phone activation and not say what version you have and see if they can give you the correct response code, anyway, although it may be version-specific and if I remember changes each time you do it, so may not be valid for more than one activation attempt.