Adobe Creative Suite 2.0 (CS2): Problems activating on Intel-based Macs

Yesterday we reported on an issue where the installer for Adobe Creative Suite 2.0 (CS2) [which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and other apps] fails to properly install on Intel-based Macs. We also noted fixes that involve either downgrading to a previous version of QuickTime, or not installing the Version Cue component.

We've now received word on a separate issue where an error occurs near the end of the installation process, leaving working copies of all the CS2 applications but disallowing the CS2 suite to be properly activated with Adobe.

MacFixIt reader Corey Blake writes:

"I didn't have the issue with Version Cue although I removed it anyway. I successfully installed CS2 on my iMac; however, the activation fails after program startup. I then tried the phone activation. [...] Anyway, that was no help and my CS2 has 26 days left before I can't use it anymore. I'd be interested to know if this has been a problem for anyone else."

MacFixIt reader Will adds:

"Without installing Version Cue I'm seeing the installer hang (and hang my machine in such a way that the only thing I can do is move my mouse and hard reboot). The odd thing is the installer gets 99.9% way done and is at the very last step it's launching the "ActivationUtility" to install the activation files - based on my machine configuration would be my guess. When it does this on my new MacBook (all OS updates installed) it hangs the system. I can tell the installer is launching this application because it logs status to the console.

"The result is a completely installed Creative Suite in which I can use but can't activate because it's missing the final activation files the ActivationUtility creates. I've called Adobe to try and activate it manually but they've told me I have to reinstall (which I can't do cause it fails) before I can activate the product."

We've yet to discover a viable solution for this issue, and manual phone registration does not seem to be an option as Adobe technical support representatives are apparently not aware of the issue.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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