Sometimes Adobe installers just don't work right. Uninstalling the Adobe applications that are already on your hard drive usually lets the installer work its magic, but there are times when the things Adobe leaves behind mean you still can't perform an installation. If that's you, and now you can't get your Adobe CS3 package to install, it's time to break out Adobe's CS3Clean utility.
Adobe's Installer application includes an uninstall feature that removes some, but not all, Adobe components from your Mac. The CS3Clean utility sweeps away most of what the Adobe Installer leaves behind. Here's how to use CS3Clean:
If the maccs3clean.dmg disk image didn't automatically open, double-click it to mount the MacCS3Clean volume.
Launch the CS3Clean application. It's in the MacCS3Clean volume you just mounted.
MacCS3Clean opens a Terminal window that asks for your administrator password. Enter your password and press the Return key.
Now you'll be asked if you want to view the remaining steps in English or Japanese. Type the appropriate letter for your language and press the Return key again.
Press y at the license screen if you want to continue, or n if you want to stop the uninstall process.
The uninstaller now warns you that you should first run the Adobe Installer's uninstall option before using CS3Clean. Since you already did, and it didn't help, go ahead and press n, and then press Return.
Be sure to uninstall with Adobe Installer first.
Now you can choose just how thorough you want CS3Clean to be. Level 1 removes all Adobe applications except for Acrobat 8. Level 2 removes all Adobe applications including Acrobat 8. Adobe recommends starting with Level 1, and if you still can't install Creative Suite 3, try Level 2.
Choose how much you want CS3Clean to uninstall.
If you installed your Adobe applications in non-standard locations, you'll have to tell CS3Clean where the apps are. If your Adobe apps are in their default locations, press n and then press Return.
CS3Clean asks if you want to see a preview of what it will uninstall. Press n and press Return.
Finally, to start the uninstall process, type GO and press Return.
Once the process completes, press Return to exit CS3Clean, and restart your Mac.
Check your options, and then type GO to uninstall the Adobe apps.
CS3Clean is a last resort tool and should be used only if Adobe's Installer application fails to properly uninstall your existing Adobe apps. If you aren't sure how to use the Adobe Installer application to uninstall programs, be sure to check out my Quick Tip that walks you through the process.