Thanks for the suggestion. I copied everything from the CS3 install disc onto the desktop. But when I tried to run it, I get a message that says: "Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium is already installed. To remove or modify this software, please use its original installer."

Any ideas why I got that message -- and when I ran the installer from the shared disc I didn't get that message? How to work around this problem to test your idea?

I'd still like to just install the programs that didn't (InDesign and Acrobat Pro) and not start over. Is that possible?

Thank you very much.

When I run the setup, the setup application starts. I am not given the choice to modify. I only get the message I posted above.

Thanks for your help.

OK, thanks Jeff. I was hoping I wouldn't have to resort to wiping my Macbook Air clean and starting over, but I'll do it.

Are there any known problems installing CS3 using the shared drive? (I'm "sharing" the DVD drive on my Macbook because my Macbook Air doesn't have one.)

I guess I'll soon find out...but if you have any tips or cautions please let me know.

Thanks very much.

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!

Just wanted to say that i successfully installed CS3 thanks to Jeff and Manish's help. I wiped my hard drive, reinstalled the OSX Lion, created a disk image of the CS3 installer from and moved it to my Macbook Air's desktop to install. Installation was pretty fast, like under 30 minutes (compared to hours using the shared disk). Best of all it looks like everything in CS3 installed and works.

Thanks again.