I purchased the retail box Photoshop CS4 Extended Upgrade (Windows) from a retail store ($349.99 + tax). I am upgrading from Photoshop CS2 and this is the version that the Adobe website says to purchase for this upgrade path. The problem is that CS4 doesn't see my installed, working, activated, and registered CS2 installation so it brings up the next screen offering to allow me to install it as a trial version OR list my qualifying product and serial number. The way that it offers to let me enter my qualifying product is via a drop down box with a single entry of CS3 Extended. No way of entering my CS2 there and it doesn't like my CS2 serial number entered with a CS3 product being shown there (says it isn't a valid CS3 serial number...of course it isn't). Does anyone know how to get this thing to install? Adobe tech support is gone until Monday and then I'll be at work, unable to try anything they might suggest.
Why does Adobe make upgrades so painful? I remember CS2 was a PITA and took Adobe tech support a week to figure out how to get it to install.
#1
If you can't get it to install with the serial, just install it as a trial. You have 30 days to use it until it needs to be activated. In that 30 days time, you can call Adobe Customer support and get the situation resolved. The trial has no functional limitations. It just has the nag screen that comes up when you first start the software.
Michael
#2
Known problem. Contact support and they will fix you up with proper numbers and explain procedures.
Mylenium
#3
enter my qualifying product is via a drop down box with a single entry of CS3 Extended. No way of entering my CS2 there
Starting with CS4, the upgrade is from a specific version. CS2 > CS4 is not the same as CS3 > CS4. That's likely your problem, extended or not has nothing to do with it.
Contact support and ask what to do.
So far the pricing has been identical, but that will change one of these days.
#4
Freeagent: REALLY? That'll be a support nightmare for Adobe, essentially cut out retailers altogether, and not be any fun for customers either to get the "proper" upgrade. Sounds like only pirates tend to gain as cracked software would be more convenient (totally ignoring cost). Doesn't sound like a good strategy to me. Where did you hear this?
#5
Check the box. Does it say "Upgrade from CS3"?
#6
Wait a second...if CS3 extended is the only listed qualifying product, then you must have the extended > extended upgrade.
What a mess. Either way, you obviously have the wrong upgrade version.
#7
The tiered upgrades are suite only. But the Extended to Extended is a different upgrade.
Bob
#8
No, this shouldn't be extended to extended (I wouldn't expect to shell out $350 twice for extended). This is Adobe P/N 65015396 which their website says is for PhotoShop CS, CS2, CS3, and CS3 upgrades and retails for $350. The face of the box is identified as Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended Windows and the side of the box only says that I must have an "eligible older version of Adobe or Macromedia software." It also says to check the website, which says this P/N is what to buy for my upgrade path. A mess? YES!!!
#9
Oh yeah, FWIW, this was shrink wrapped and purchased from MicroCenter (not some shady outfit or anonymous eBay'er).
#10