CS3 trial version (How to fix license expired after using CS3 Beta)

I had CS3 beta installed on my laptop and now wanted to install the trial version to try it out before I receive my upgrade in a few days.

I uninstalled the beta and installed the trial. Unfortunately I was not paying attention during the install so I just clicked next when I was presented with the option to try or use the serial it had found (which of course was the beta serial).

So the end result is that I cannot use it until I get the real serial number.

Is there any legal way for me to actually activate that 30 day trial (except install on a different pc). ?

Exact same thing happened to me. Never could get it to work after trying to uninstall reinstall. I just wound up buying the box and am now waiting impatiently for it to arrive.

You would think that Adobe could incorporate a check that the license code it finds is one from the beta period and then just not list that as default.

It turns out that some time ago Adobe sent me (and probaly you too Chris1e) an email with instructions about this exact issue. I just re-read that email and downloaded a cleanup script, ran it and now I have CS3 installed in the 30 trial version.

Goto Adobe's website and download the CS3Clean script here: http://www.adobe.com/s​upport/contact/cs3clea​n.html

I'm removing this workaround cause too many people are using it to pirate this software.

Lucky you... that sounds kinda illegal....

I hardly think marking a file as read only is illegal...

I have tried every thing on the Adobe support site with no luck. No jasco your idea did not work either. Any ideas. The site I bought the software from says it's an adobe problem. I had Light Room beta loaded and uninstalled it some time ago. I think thats the problem. Adobe's fix looks for PS trial installs. I've been into the Reg and removed all references to Light Room. Adobe has it hidden and don't know how to fix it. I can tell by the way their tool works.

Uninstall CS3 then shutdown and restart. Then run CS3clean, again shutdown and restart. Then reinstall software..... Should work OK

Well I got my money back. Adobe offered to send a new S/N and ask for a receipt, but I had lost the receipt. When I ask for one from the seller they refunded my money. I think I had an illegal copy. I hate to pay the full $2400 when I see it for hundreds less on many sites. I'm just a retired hobbiest now. Well the CS2 programs I have work fine.

jasco wrote in post #3888008
I found a simple, tricky way to make cs3 work with your old trial serial.
I tried that cleanup script and it didnt work for me, but this did.

first off, delete C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD\cache\cache.db

Then run any of the cs3 programs. Click Accept to continue, then enter your serial that used to work. BEFORE clicking next, you'll notice that you have a NEW cache.db file in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD\cache

Right click the file, go to properties and make it READ ONLY, and then click next on CS3 after entering your key.

Next, after you get to the register software screen.
Click "Register Later"

WHOA! Not so fast, it's working but you're not done yet!

The register screen should have popped up again. This time, remove the check for "Read Only" from that new cache.db file and select "Do Not Register" from the the top of the register software menu.

Now, as soon as you click continue, make the cache.db file read only again, and LEAVE IT THAT WAY!

Enjoy CS3!

It worked! Thanks a lot!