Before You Install CS3...

If you use a Mac and installed any version of the Adobe Photoshop CS3 beta, clear it off before you install the real thing. Adobe has this script to help you do it. If you just dump it in the trash, you'll be sorry.

Comments

[Lance Keimig]

Dear Debbie,

I am very sorry indeed. I trashed the Beta version, and now cannot install the real thing. The script did nothing at all. (I used both levels) Is there anything I can do short of a clean install of the system software?

[Steve]

Did the Beta use an Apple-style (standard) installer? If so, there may be a receipt (/Library/Receipts at the root of the hard drive). Find the .pkg that matches the beta installer, double click, then cmd-I or File->Show files (this isn't actually an installer, it just tells the computer what's been installed). You should delete everything shown on the list, and be sure to delete the receipt when you're finished - many programs won't install over a receipt.

There is also a shareware application called Pacifist which can open installers to see what files are installed, and install selected files. Open the beta installer. Pacifist will show all the files that were installed. Use Get Info to see where they went. Delete them all by hand.

If Pacifist can't help, the final method requires Terminal.app and more care (close ALL applications to avoid system interference):
1. Open Terminal and type: touch ~/desktop/timestamp
This creates a new file on the desktop
2. Reinstall the Beta/repair the beta installation. (If you cannot install on your computer, you may need to do this process on someone else's!)
3. Type in Terminal: find -x / -newer ~/desktop/timestamp
This lists all files newer than the timestamp, which should be all the files installed by the beta. It may take a while, and there will be very little feedback. When it finishes, you should have a list of new files (very extensive).

Now go through this list and find the files for the Beta, and delete them manually. Take care in system folders (there shouldn't be much in here, maybe some fonts). Note also that some processes may have created files while the Beta was installing, so use caution.

Hope that helps.

[Website Design]

This is very helpful for me. Thanks!!