Trying to install CS3 Design Premium on a Windows 7 64-bit quad core processor computer

Question

I just purchased a new desktop PC computer as my old one is slowly dying. The new one is great, except for one thing - I can't install my CS3. I had read on Adobe's website that this should not be a problem. Every time I insert the install disk, I am getting an error message that the Install Database is corrupt. I've even tried more than one disk. Adobe is being no help at all. Any help I can get would be great. I don't have a choice - my work is still on CS3 so if I can't it installed on this computer at home, I won't be able to do my work here.
I've 'chatted' with Adobe twice and spoken to Tech Support on the phone. Chat could not help, and Tech Support said my disk must be corrupt.
So I got permission to make a backup disk of the copy of CS3 at work, and tried that disk - new original, new copy.  That disk gave me the same error.
I also now can't re-install into my old computer, which I'm willing to do to be able to keep working at home, at least as long as the old computer keeps going. I keep getting errors that the media can't be found - after an hour of the disks trying to install.
I saw one page on Adobe that said to delete the file c:/programs/common/Adobe/caps/CAPS.db.  This file does not exist on my new computer, so I can't delete it. I tried this on my old computer, got the Install Database corrupt error, so I put the file back and got the 'can't find media' message I'd been getting.
The new computer comes with a few Adobe things, like Photoshop Elements 10, that I said no to when setting up the computer. Might I need to uninstall these before I can install the CS3?
I appreciate any help - I'm not 'techie' enough to solve this myself.
Thank you.

Answer 1

The caps.db file should be at C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\caps on a 64 bit system...
Was this an upgrade from a previous version of Creative Suite, or a full version? Are tehre any other Adobe products present on the system?
The CS3 installers were probably the worst in Adobe history. A lot of things would conflict with a good install. My first attempt way back when failed because the DVD drive wouldn't read the disk properly. You can try copying the disk to the desktop and install from there.
I've got CS3 running on two different win 7 64-bit machines (but I only installed ID from the suite, though I don't think that should be an issue), so it should be possible. I'd start by cleaning up anything left over from your failed attempts. If you have other versions later than CS3, that probably means uninstalling them, too, then uninstall CS3 if it appears in the list in Windows' Control Panel, then download and run the clean tool from Adobe: CS Cleaner Tool for installation problems | CCM, CS6, CS5.5, CS5, CS4, CS3
After running the tool reboot. Flash Player was also a major cause of failed installs on CS3, so you may need to also see http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html, then reboot again. Run MSconfig from the Run command in the start menu. The object here is to turn off everythign that is not essential to running the system, without actually going into Safe Mode. On the Startup tab you should be able to uncheck pretty much everything (if you see a mouse driver, I'd leave that), but you want to be sure to especially turn off anti-virus, anti-malware, third-party firewall, iTunes, and any browser helpers and toolbars you see. In the services tab, check the box to hide Microsoft Services, then look for anything that looks like it might be from your anti-virus or malware scanners and uncheck those. Leave anything that says Flexnet or ##ID_String... active, if you see them (you may not), then close MSconfig and reboot when prompted.
When you restart you'll see a warning about running in diagnostic mode, or some such, and yo may be asked if you want to run MSconfig again. You want to continue in diagnostic mode. If MSconfig opens, press the cancel button. Run the installer again. Hopefully this time it will work and youcan the reboot one more time, run MSconfig and check the Normal Startup box, let the system restart again, and you should be good to go.