Photoshop CS3 re-registration

[scribe2017]

I've spent the greater part of three days trying to re-register Photoshop CS3 after recent Windows 10 downloads

of Dec18-22, 2017, messed up what up to then, was working fine.

Yes, I deleted all files necessary, as instructed by Adobe Chat 'Milan'.

Except for the "Adobe" files in: x86 (Adobe - and in - Common Files) because system did not allow these to be deleted.

I used the Adobe Cleaner Tool,

I got my NEW serial number - which i don't know why the one that came with my CD could not be re-used.

I deleted the 'cache' (I found this out on my third try of undergoing this process)

I re-downloaded the product from the CS3 product download.

Thought everything would work well  when i got a message to enter my Serial Number (which Milan said should be the NEW serial number)

Pressed: Enter

Message: "Unable to Connect to Adobe to Register"

I consider this ordeal a conspiracy.

"Chat" was a waste of time as the problem did not get resolved, only to be informed that if issues

continued that I should post it on this forum (more time wasted).

To the Powers Be: I paid for my software outright, at a time when subscription was not an option.

As it stands, CS3 maybe an older version but it suits my purpose and as it stands I have the right to use it.

I'd appreciate a working solution and or a contact actually knows how to solve this re-registration issue.

[gener7]

The activation servers have been retired. Adobe will provide you with a new serial number and a new activation free CS3 installer.

You must use that installer. The old one won't work anymore.

Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

[scribe2017]

I've covered this whole process at least 4 times already.

I HAVE a NEW SERIAL Number....I've covered that part of the process already.

Now you say to 'get a new installer".

Would that be part of "ADBEPHSPCS3_ESD1_WWE"

If so, then I question why after I entered the NEW Serial number the following message came up:

"Unable to Connect to Adobe to Register"???

I do not care to keep repeating and get nowhere.

Someone must have the solution.

Does Adobe have a knowledgeable Technician Supervisor that can help?

[gener7]

Ok, wasn't sure if you had. I just got here.

Next.

See if you have the cache.db file in the folder below.

'Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache/'

I can't remember if that is a hidden folder or not so you might need to turn on visibility for all files and folders.

If it is there delete cache.db. Try to start Photoshop and you should be prompted for the serial number at which point enter the new one. Click on Never Register.

Then Restart your computer. Hopefully that will work.

Courtesy of Terri Stevens

[scribe2017]

Terri

Your solution seems to have worked.

I had deleted the cache.db previously but would click the registration button.

Never Register - worked!

Question: Will I be prompted to register next time the Photoshop is opened?

(I wasted so much time on this....)

Thanks.

[gener7]

scribe2017  wrote

Terri

Your solution seems to have worked.

I had deleted the cache.db previously but would click the registration button.

Never Register - worked!

Question: Will I be prompted to register next time the Photoshop is opened?

(I wasted so much time on this....)

Thanks.

I'm not Terri, I'm Gene. I was just crediting her.

You should have no further problems.

Gene

[scribe2017]

I don't see "Correct" but have checked 'Helpful'.

I just want to add, that it may be a good idea to inform Adobe Chat Line 'Milan' about deleting cache.db

And in the registration process check "Never Register" because as detailed as the Chat Line instructions

were, it Never included that which I have underlined.

Thanks again.

[gener7]

The problem is that we have no formal connection with Adobe's official Customer Care. We are basically a User to User forum with an open membership.

We don't know who "Milan" is and don't know how to reach him.

Adobe Employees check in from time to time, but they are likely not part of the tech support division.

I will caution you to report anyone who puts "Adobe" in their name and asks you to contact them via Skype. They are scammers pretending to be employees.

[Nancy OShea]

The correct answer in this thread covers just about everything one needs to know about re-activating legacy CS3 / Acrobat 8. 

Re-activating CS3 (Updated)

MAC USERS:

High Sierra  --  forget about it.  That OS was a total game changer for legacy Creative Suite users. 

Sierra -- use the installation workaround described below.

Installing Creative Suite on macOS 10.12 (Sierra)

[gener7]

Hi Nancy,

Photoshop CS3 (the replacement) installs and works on my test Macbook Pro  using 10.13.2  I can't speak for the other CS3 apps.

CS3 is 32 bit only and ram allocation is capped at 3 GB, no matter what you have on your system.

Gene