07-21-2011, 09:06 PM

Hey everyone.

desperate for some help. Im on a mac and previously someone has used a cracked version of the CS5 suite to run illustrator, photoshop etc etc.

When the programs were installed, they run a 'block adobe activation' application when they installed the programs so adobe couldnt stuff with them. I am now trying to install a legitimate copy of the master suite and it wont let me register the program because that script is in place and im told it cant be deleted?

What do i do? i have a cracked version of illustrator and a legit copy and neither codes work. Does anybody have any idea what to do or how to remove this 'block adobe activation' application? Im stuck at work and cant do any work because i cant get the codes to work. Please help!

07-21-2011, 09:22 PM

The only thing I can suggest is to use the Adobe uninstaller and remove the illegal programs. Use Spotlight search afterward and make sure that all remnants of the illegal software is removed. Afterward, try installing the legal copies. If that doesn't work, contact Adobe customer support and explain the situation to them. They may be able to give you specific instructions.

07-21-2011, 09:27 PM

Go to terminal, type

sudo nano /etc/hosts

enter your password, and delete the text stored in the file. Save changes and exit.

07-21-2011, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by garnmowitdown

desperate for some help. Im on a mac and previously someone has used a cracked version of the CS5 suite to run illustrator, photoshop etc etc.

When the programs were installed, they run a 'block adobe activation' application when they installed the programs so adobe couldnt stuff with them. I am now trying to install a legitimate copy of the master suite and it wont let me register the program because that script is in place and im told it cant be deleted?

What do i do? i have a cracked version of illustrator and a legit copy and neither codes work. Does anybody have any idea what to do or how to remove this 'block adobe activation' application? Im stuck at work and cant do any work because i cant get the codes to work. Please help!

We here at Mac-Forums are not very fond of any discussions relating to pirated software.

The bottom line is...if this computer was purchased from someone else 2nd hand...and pirated software was installed on it...the pirated applications (or maybe even the whole hard drive) should have been completely erased as soon as it came into your possession.

My recommendation is...completely erase the hard drive, do a fresh install of the OS, and then proceed to install the legitimate applications.

- Nick

07-21-2011, 09:35 PM

Why would you want to delete the Hosts file? An explanation of exactly what that's supposed to do would be helpful to the OP, don't you think?

And by the way, that's a file that really shouldn't be changed or deleted unless it's been altered in some way.

I also agree with what Nick said rather than try to work around the problem.

07-21-2011, 10:02 PM

The hosts file contains the blocked server addresses. I figure the guy is trying to install legit software. Ain't nothin' wrong with that!

07-21-2011, 10:14 PM

How do you know his hosts file contains the blocked server addresses?

This is likely what his "hosts" file looks like:


##
# Host Database
#
# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
# when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
##
127.0.0.1 localhost
255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
::1 localhost
fe80::1%lo0 localhost

07-21-2011, 10:17 PM

Why not call Adobe and ask them for support?

07-21-2011, 10:22 PM

Google search Block adobe activation. Or, download the script and look what file it modifies. Yes, leave what chsag showed. You will be able to tell which entries to delete as they will all say adobe in the url.

07-22-2011, 01:23 AM

The original post is gone so I can't comment on that, but "Please Help" is not the thread title you want if you actually want to attract the best help quickly. A thread title with some kind of (brief) description of the actual problem will help the gurus find you. Good luck!