4 Replies Latest reply: Sep 14, 2013 11:04 AM by molezeen RSS

    How to activate Photoshop CS 5 without an internet connection?

    molezeen Community Member

      I have had my second activation of Photoshop CS 5 on a backup computer that has no internet connection.  I needed to change the operating system (Windows 7 Home to Windows 7 Professional).  I called up Adobe, and told the technician that I was de-activating CS 5, reformatting the hard drive, then I was going to re-activate Photoshop. He gave me a case number so that the next technician could easily understand what I was doing and what I needed. 

       

      The first time I installed Photoshop on this backup computer, I contacted Customer Service. The technician had me do several things to get to an activation screen.  I gave him both the serial number and an installation code.  He then used them to generate a unique activation code, which I typed in to activate Photoshop.  I had Photoshop on that computer, working, for a year.

       

      I called on August 30, after the re-formatting and installing the new operating system, I called Customer Service to get help re-activating Photoshop. 

       

      • The first technician said I could not reactivate Photoshop.
      • The second technician said it could be done, but not at his level and he would escalate the case, and someone would call me.
      • After no calls, I tried again on 09/05. I was transferred to the manager.  He said it could not be done, but he would escalate the case to the "expert team," and that someone from that team would call me "tomorrow" (09/06).

       

      Along the way, one technician said I did not need to reactivate Photoshop because when I called about deactivating Photoshop, that technician assigned a special number that would obviate the need to reactivate. How did my computer, off-line, and my software, on a proprietary disk, know that number?  Magic?  No, not magic, it just would!

       

      Unless something has changed and I do not have to activate Photoshop on computers that are off-line, I need to activate Photoshop. 

       

      How do I get help after 12 days of trying?

       

      Walton

        • 1. Re: How to activate Photoshop CS 5 without an internet connection?
          molezeen Community Member

          Thank you all! 

           

          Not only has Adobe Customer Service failed to give me a call back in 2 weeks, and no one from Adobe has responded to the case via the Support Portal in 8 days, but this forum has been  . . .

           

          Let me extend to anyone who visits CreateSpace (Amazon.com's print-on-demand division) and needs help, visit the CS forum, I will be sure to return the favor in kind.

          • 2. Re: How to activate Photoshop CS 5 without an internet connection?
            Curt Y Community Member

            Did you do a web search?  I used photoshop cs6 activate without internet.  THere are several posts on this issue, but have no idea if it will work for you.  Here is one http://forums.adobe.com/message/4409509

            • 3. Re: How to activate Photoshop CS 5 without an internet connection?
              molezeen Community Member

              Thank you . . . I do not get an option for Offline Activation.  When I did this a year ago, the Customer Support technician gave me a keyboard shortcut that got me to a screen where a response or installation code was generated.  Then he gave me the activation code.  I have no problem going on-line and entering a installation code and getting an activation code . . . I just cannot get to the screen where I can get the initial code.

               

              Despite having now 3 case numbers related to this, each Customer Support technician starts at the beginning, only to discover 30 minutes to 3 hours later that he/she does not wherewithal to do this and must escalate the case.  In the 2 weeks, no one has called me.  I wait the appropriate 24 - 48 hours (yes, not counting weekends or holidays), and the next technician starts it all over. 

               

              Walton

              • 4. Re: How to activate Photoshop CS 5 without an internet connection?
                molezeen Community Member

                Here is the problem: all of the posts regarding off-line activation say that when I get the Serial Number Verification Screen, I should click on "Having trouble connection to the internet," or "Offline activation," etc.  On that dialogue box, my only options are:

                • Provide Serial Number (which has a green check, verifying the serial number I entered)
                • Install this product as a trial
                • Back Button
                • Next Button

                Next lets me select the Creative Suit components to install. Back takes me back.

                 

                Sixteen days, and counting, with no help.  Is there an alternative to Customer Support? 

                 

                Walton