CRITICAL STEP – Delete cache.db file from Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache. Skip this step and nothing will change and you’ll get the activation error again.

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

While downloading the new installer, uninstall the old CS3.Download the new CS3 installer (link found on the page after you sign in).You can do this by going to and click the Sign in link (down past What are my options?) Get a new (free) CS3 serial code, as your old one is now useless.Here is the solution to the Adobe CS3 activation error.

In order words, Adobe’s official advice is to “figure it out yourself”. Since I’m a glutton for punishment, I went through this process twice with Adobe “support staff”. But wait there is a solutionĭon’t try talking to Adobe support as they don’t know their ass from their elbow and after telling you a list of steps to take (steps I’d just finished telling them I’d already taken without success before speaking to them) they will tell you that Adobe CS3 is no longer supported and to find your answer in the Adobe community forums. What this means is that older Adobe software such as CS3 and Acrobat 8 can no longer be activated. It was these servers that Photoshop CS3 were connecting to every time I started the program (ie to check that the serial code is legit). The cause of the activation or connection error is Adobe has “retired” their older activation servers. And of course the phone activation service has been discontinued by Adobe. Of course the reactivation failed with a connection error saying “Activation – No Connection”. I thought this had to do with a Windows 10 update from the week before breaking things as it also wrecked my MS Office installation. Recently my Photoshop CS3 decided to tell me that my license activation was expired/needed re-activation. This article is now for historical purposes. Apparently Adobe has completely shut down Creative Suite 2 and 3 inc Photoshop CS3 so it is no longer possible to replace your online serial key with an offline one (necessary for the steps below). Sorry folks, to lead you on this chase for hope.

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