John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

I have been using Lightroom 3 and Elements 6 for quite a while and decided to upgrade to current versions. I downloaded LR 5 upgrade and wasted hours getting it loaded. This bit of using a code to acquire the serial number so you can get it loaded is a real pain, especially when the site they say to go to is down. I got it loaded on my desktop and laptop computers.

What was worse was that I purchased in a store a copy of Elements 11. I had experience with the serial number issue so I got through that and loaded it on my desktop computer. The problem is that it would not let me also load it on my laptop. I called Adobe support and things got worse. Support said I could not load the software on my laptop because the serial number had been used. They did not get the fact that it had been used by me. And I paid for it. They did not accept I had am a member with a name and password.

I asked the support person what would happen if my hard drive crashed or I replaced my computer and needed to download the software again, or re install from the CD. No answer other than the serial number had been used and could not be used again.

Warning to all paotential purchasers of Adobe products! I now have software on my desktop computer that is not compatible with that on my laptop, and they warn you not to switch back and forth.

I find it hard to believe I am the only one with this problem.

And to ad insult to injury, I asked for a person to complain to and was given a bogus email address. The address bounced back to me. That is real class by a firm trying to steel me products.

Does anybody have an alternative to Adobe? I am willing to adjust my attitude if they make this right. Going public is a last resort.

Jamers Loc: Michigan

You are not alone, Adobe is not our friend. I had to spend the full rate for CS6 from CS4 because I never received any notice as to a cut off from CS5 deadline to up grade to CS6. Adobe is trying unsuccessfully trying to make the Cloud system a monthly subscription. It took me four days to get CS6 up graded to handle my D800E camera to Windows 8. I received a different answer from every representative I talked to. Finally I was able to get in touch with someone that knew what they were talking about. I WILL NOT spend more money on Adobe, I had to bite the bullet this time because of my new camera system and a job that had be be completed. I felt I was hijacked, and that does not set easily with me. A little different from your experience, but the scenario is very similar.

ncshutterbug

I think Adobe has gotten too big for it's britches. They have a product loved by an enormous amount of people for many years. Now they don't care about losing business anymore, because they have so many willing to do whatever they say to keep the program. I took the beta version of LR5 and when it ended they sent me an email asking if I wanted to pay for the service. I said not interested in renting it and removed it from my computer. Now several times a day I get pop ups saying it has expired and asking if I want to download. I say no, it continues to pop up anyway. I removed the beta version from my hard drive and still I get the pop ups.The old version 4 has had numerous problems since and crashed a couple of times, which never happened before. Could that be dirty tricks, even tho I removed the beta version? I will just use LR4 as long as it holds up then go strictly to Corel Paint Shop Pro. I think Adobe is getting too ugly for me to ever buy another of their products.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Thanks to all for replying. Misery loves company!
I was promised a replacement serial number to get it on my laptop, but suspect I'll wait for ever to get that.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Sorry to hear all the problems with Adobe. On the other hand I have not had problems but just good service when I had to re-install LR & PS on new computers both a laptop and Desk. Called Adobe and got my serial number reset without a hasstle

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

THANKS. Maybe I just got a bad service rep. I'll keep trying.

Royalruler Loc: Rancho Cucamonga

I am still waiting maybe it will happen I have had no problems over the years.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

While I don't have a solution for you, I had no problem installing the Lightroom 5 download on both my desktop and laptop. I also have a store bought copy of Elements 11 installed on both machines without any difficulty. I've had installation issues with various software packages over the years so I feel your pain, but I am not aware of major installation issues for either of these products.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

You may not like it. But it IS successful. It is only your opinion that they are "trying unsuccessfully."

I don't like it either - but hundreds of thousands are migrating to the cloud version. AT this point there is no pretender out there that can come close to what Photoshop does. Yeah-Gimp included.

Jamers Loc: Michigan

Not just my opinion but many others in my camera club and across the board from many others more deeply involved than I, agree with the unpopular opinions of this new marketing program. Do you really expect Adobe to admit they are having problems with the vast majority of their one time loyal supporters? I have yet talked to anyone that is for it. It is now being compared to the Obamacare that is being forced on us.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I had no problems loading and using Elements 11 on two computers. When you activate with the SN on a box it doesn't go online. It has no clue how many computers you load it on.

The Lightroom 5 update was a little more painful for me because I had to find my old disc and had a hard time where they put the SN on the upgrade box. IMHO it is in a stupid place. But then it uploaded and runs fine.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Alas I fear the whole software industry is headed this way. Of course: it hooks you into them for an unending profit stream where they don't have to do anything but rake in the cash. Furthermore they don't have to deal with all of the user machine specific problems and upgrades.

Of course that opens the door to new competitors who won't go that way.

The Cloud idea doesn't work for me because I use my computer away from wireless much of the time.

BlokeOzz Loc: Morphett Vale South Australia

Hi ncshutterbug I am with you on this, Adobe can go take a running jump for mine, I have vented on Adobe more than once, I now use Corel Paint Shop Pro X5 and very happy with it, And have saved good money into the bargain. Never again will Adobe in any way shape or form Grace one of my Computers. They have grown far to big for their boots, and I am sure I will be a long way from being the last customer they will lose. OK Had my Rant, will shut up now.