CS3 activation error

Have you uninstalled the existing CS3 and installed the new non-activation CS3?

Follow the steps here under Sign In To Begin

Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

The first thing it asks you to do is enter your CS3 serial number so have that handy.

You'll then be given a new non-activation CS3 serial number plus a new link to download the non-activation version of CS3.

I uninstalled adobe CS3, got a new activation code and downloaded the version of CS3.  I install the new version and am never asked to input the new activation code and when I open CS3, it says I need to activate it again.  I try and get a connection error, again.  After that, I uninstalled again, used the cleaner program and shut down overnight.  I re-installed the CS3 I downloaded from the Adobe web site and still get an activation/connection error.  Please, please, please, help!!!

Ken, there is 1 more step (after the uninstall, prior to reinstall) that you need to carry out that worked for me;

Delete cache.db file from Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache/

After installing from the new CS3 installer, I was asked for my new serial code and then was told "Registration - Connection Failure". This is registration not activation so I clicked "Never Register" and my CS3 has now successfully started.