Start the program, rejoice when it asks for your new serial code.Install Photoshop CS3 using the new CS3 installer.Optional, if you want to be extremely thorough: Run the Adobe Cleaner Tool (get it here ).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”. Don’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.
