Installing Adobe CS3

What OS version is your Doughter running on the laptop? If she is running an 32-bit operating sistem, then it won't work, because she could have a 64-bit program.

She has Windows XP Pro sp3 and fully updated. Sorry about omitting an important component of the scenario. Thanks, dj

How much hard disk space is available on her laptop? Is she using the original install disks? Is she installing just one program separately, or is she trying to install one program from a suite of software? I have a Go-To-Assist subscription that I use to help backup my Dad's laptop and troubleshoot it too. This is a GREAT service. I can help her if she wants, or you can also buy a daily subscription from the following website to help her troubleshoot the problem... I got the beta version pricing for a year, so I got a great deal. This subscription is worth every penny...

http://www.gotoassist.com/en_US/entry.tmpl

Dave in Campbell

I just installed Adobe CS4 Flash on my machine (also XP), and it would not install initially. I had a long call with Adobe tech support, which ended with the suggestion that I make a new user account on my machine, and install it into that. I didn't really think this would work, but it did. I'd suggest that she try that and/or call Adobe support.

I'd have to say I find it somewhat irritating when the person at tech support really knows almost nothing about the product, and so puts you on hold so they can look through the database -- most of the time coming up with suggestions you have already tried. Grrrr. But in this case the suggestion worked. I'd also prefer that these companies would employ people here rather than wherever they can find people cheaper -- but I fear that's a lost cause.

I think she may have got/bought a 64 bit version and her XP version is 32 bit!!

She should examine the box the Adobe came in for more details.....or the manuals....

If true, swap for a 32 bit version.

The message may be simply wrong and she has a 64 bit XP and a 32 bit Adobe.....but I doubt that.

Also her memory is a bit tight for many modern applications, 2 gig would be better....Windows can run much faster with more memory. This may also be affecting the problem.

Shutting down unneeded applications that start automatically with WinXP can also help.....

Best of luck.

One additional thought: Since she has installed this program several times, could the disk simply be dirty and the optical drive is not reading it very well? I have cleaned dirty CDs and DVDs with Windex before and had amazing results. Be careful not to scratch the disk though as it could be ruined permanently. So far I have not ever made things worse by cleaning the disk.

Just to give you guys an update, both her laptop and the CS3 program are 32bit, she's tried new administrator account, cleaning the disk. She got over 30 gigs on her hard drive to dedicate to CS3. She hasn't any issues run CS3 with 1 gig of ram on other machines. She's tried talking to Adobe about it, but seems she needs a translator to understand them. So she still at a stand still at this point and could use any kind of suggestions you could think of. Thanks again. dj

It seems as though you have covered everything... but maybe not. How long ago has it been since she tried installing on another computer? Perhaps the disk is damaged and won't allow her to read the setup file now. She may need to try another computer again just to verify that the CD is still good. Also, perhaps there is a problem with the optical drive on the laptop. Plugging up an external CD/DVD drive should eliminate this problem. If all else fails, perhaps requesting a replacement CD from Adobe would be an option. Another option would be to try transferring all of the files on the CD to a flash drive or folder on the hard drive of the laptop and try running the program from there. It usually doesn't matter where the files are as long as they are all present in the same folder and all of the sub-folders are there as well. Yet another option: http://www.soft32.com/download_346.html If the setup is successful from the download, perhaps the license key for her purchased software would activate her install, or not, but at least she could get some functionality until the issue is resolved. Regards, Keywalker

Hi dj, I really hope one of these gems works:

One may have to disable the Anti-Virus before successfully installing CS3. If your lucky, just right-click the Anti-Virus taskbar icon and Disable, otherwise one may have to RUN MSCONFIG and remove check-marks from the Anti-Virus Programs:
netsquirrel.com/msconfig/index.html ...and Restart

If that fails: Please compare the Windows service pack numbers of the laptop and the other desktop.
pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/servicepackxp.htm

If they are not identical and the laptop is lower, update it. If it is higher, then the program may not be designed for XP, but an earlier Windows. You may have to run the Compatibility Mode Wizard:

Start > Control Panel > Programs > "Use an older program with this version of Windows"

If that fails, You may have to copy and paste the optical disk contents to a new folder on the hard drive, find the setup program on hard drive, right-click it and select the tab "Compatibility Mode" then try a mode (like 2K, NT and 98). Click "setup" and if it fails, experiment with each compatibility mode.