Adobe Error 150:30 (and how to fix it) a.k.a. I Hate Adobe – Reason 34

Posted on May 10, 2009 by Erik

NOTE If this tip saves you time and your sanity, you can tip me by buying either of my iPhone apps: Split Finder or Splitcaster. Thanks in advance! :)

NOTE Check out the bottom of this post for some updates to possible solutions, including how to fix this problem under OS X 10.7 Lion

I fired up Photoshop today and was greeted by this message:

Same thing when I started Flash. Awesome… Keep in mind my Mac has been on for days and hasn’t had any other problems. I really hadn’t done anything strange to break something. And I’m sure I’d used an Adobe product yesterday.

Rebooting, of course, didn’t fix anything.

Looking for help on Adobe’s forum didn’t help.

But Google did.

I found a page that basically explained how to hack around Adobe’s activation. I didn’t need to go that far, since I actually have a legal license. But part of the “how to steal CS4″ post did help. All I had to do was get Adobe’s Licensing Repair tool here.

I ran that and it worked immediately. No reboot needed. I’m thinking I got lucky.

–

I just noticed that this process dumped a folder named “AdobeLicensingFilesBackup” into my Home folder. So, be aware of that.

–

UPDATE: Saturday, August 1, 2009

I see that this simply isn’t working for some people, but it looks like it still works for others. I don’t have an explanation for this. All I know is that it worked for me so I thought I’d share it with the world.

I know that a fair number of people are landing on this page every day and would love to hear from those who it does work for, so I know that this tip is still useful.

UPDATE: Monday, August 31, 2009 – Try deleting the `FLEXnet Publisher` folder

One of the replies below, from Simon, pointed out that you might need to delete the following folder for things to work again:

/Library/Preferences/FLEXnet Publisher

That’s worked for a few people out there, so give it a shot before you throw in the towel.

UPDATE: Wednesday, September 9, 2009

From Rob B. in the comments below:

The Flexnet Publisher folder must be deleted. Not JUST the flexnet folder inside. ALONG WITH THIS the Adobe PCD.cache file must be deleted also. It is located in library/application support/adobe/adobe PCD/ cache/ cache.db

UPDATE: Monday, May 16, 2011 – Works with CS5 and CS5.5, too

Based on some comments below, this fix works for CS5 and the newly released CS5.5 as well.

UPDATE: Friday, October 7, 2011 – The Lion Fix

In the comments, codeman38 was the first to explain how to run the License Recovery app under Lion:

Mount the .dmg for the license recovery app.
Open Terminal.

Run the following two commands:

cd /Volumes/LicenseRecovery\ 11.6.1/LicenseRecovery/
sudo python LicenseRecover.py

216 thoughts on “Adobe Error 150:30 (and how to fix it) a.k.a. I Hate Adobe – Reason 34”

David Gartner on May 19, 2009 at 2:33 pm said:

Erik,

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

David

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- Erik on May 19, 2009 at 2:52 pm said:
  
  The Internet is a wonderful thing sometimes, isn’t it? :)
  
  Reply ↓
Drew on June 8, 2009 at 1:18 pm said:

I had this exact same problem, googled it and this was one of the first hits. Got the tool and ran it, works perfectly now! Thanks for making it so easy to find, hope this helps everyone else with the problem

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Yazmin Perez on June 19, 2009 at 5:25 pm said:

WOW!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

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Marko on June 20, 2009 at 2:51 am said:

Thank you so much Erik:)

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Pat Joyce on June 20, 2009 at 8:10 pm said:

Worked like a charm. You just saved me hours of frustration and lost productivity. Thanks a million!

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[email protected] on June 24, 2009 at 2:42 pm said:

Thank you for this post. Hoping it works!

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Andy Luen on June 28, 2009 at 7:59 pm said:

Erik,

I’m a HK graphics designer doing all work on my own. I found 150:30 on my imac yesterday. It really kill my happy life from last weekend. Man! you save me. I start again my wonderful life again on screen. Wish you luck & joy all the creative time !

Andy

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marcos on July 1, 2009 at 10:45 am said:

Am I the only dork who cannot get this to work ? It would let me enter a password . Help!

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Randy on July 1, 2009 at 6:54 pm said:

I had the same problem. Maybe its out of date or are wise to the way some people might be using it.

Randy

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Randy on July 1, 2009 at 6:55 pm said:

either way I’m stuck

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[email protected] on July 6, 2009 at 9:37 pm said:

don’t works more! enter password…

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Aerin on July 7, 2009 at 5:33 pm said:

Thanks a million! You are performing a vital public service! Got this error tonight when trying to launch InDesign at about 10 minutes after closing time for Adobe Technical Support. I’ve never used Terminal before, but miraculously ran this script and didn’t break my computer! I’m back in business!

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Christina on July 13, 2009 at 1:35 pm said:

Same problem for me, I downloaded the Adobe Licensing Repair tool and it wouldn’t let me enter a password. Is there something else I can do to get this working? I’m a graphic designer and I’m on a tight deadline. Help!!

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Nikolai on July 19, 2009 at 9:54 am said:

One more THANK YOU very, very much for your post and saving us time and hours of frustration. I ran the app and luckily it worked.

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Simon on August 9, 2009 at 7:00 pm said:

I have a MAC SOLUTION !!!!!

first I tried and thought damn, but then i read about “FLEXnet Publisher” thats making problems under windows. you just have to delete the folder and everything goes on (adobe will create a new not-corrupt folder) under mac you can reach the folder under /Library/Preferences/FLEXnet Publisher.

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- Erik on August 10, 2009 at 12:00 am said:
  
  Thanks for the info, Simon. Hopefully that will help out someone else who lands on this page via Google.
  
  Erik
  
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- Kriso on December 28, 2009 at 2:39 am said:
  
  Thank you Erik, and then special thanks goes to you Simon! This 150:30 really annoyed me, U2 saved me a lot of time. Internet rules…
  
  Reply ↓
Jade on August 14, 2009 at 4:37 am said:

Removing folder under /Library/Preferences/FLEXnet Publisher worked for me! Thx Simon.

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- Erik on August 14, 2009 at 9:39 am said:
  
  Thanks for confirming that things still seem to work :)
  
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mone on August 19, 2009 at 6:34 am said:

Wow! Thanks! You save me! :-)

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djgarfio on September 1, 2009 at 9:19 am said:

Wow, you really save me! i upgrade to snowleopard lastnite and my CS4 stop working with the magic 150:30 error. I tried everything, i do a reinstall and the the damn pop up appeared time after time. But erasing the FLEXnet Publisher put things back in its place.

Thanxs again

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Tim on September 3, 2009 at 10:09 pm said:

I try all above methods, still not working!! nothing happen after i enter the password when i run the repair tools, it just show” MBP:~ username$ ” in the terminal. And i do not have a file named “FLEXnet Publisher” under Library/ preference

please help !

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Zirochka on September 5, 2009 at 10:20 am said:

Thank you great! it really helped me and finally you can enjoy your favorite program :-) All creative success!

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Joe on September 8, 2009 at 11:25 am said:

It did not work for me until I deleted the /Library/Preferences/FLEXnet Publisher file!!

Thanks so much for your help – awesome!!

Although I do have a valid license, I HATE calling Mumbai or wherever their call center is for help.

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Donk on September 8, 2009 at 12:01 pm said:

@Simon The official Adobe tool (LicenseRecovery) didn’t work for me, but deleting the “FLEXnet Publisher” folder solved the problem immediately. THX a lot!

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Rob B on September 9, 2009 at 10:21 am said:

UPDATE: Repair tool didn’t work for me or any other action Adobe’s article recommends, BUT after 2 hours of being on the phone with someone in India that Adobe claims to know their software (F you Adobe) I figured it out for myself without their help. The Flexnet Publisher folder must be deleted. Not JUST the flexnet folder inside. ALONG WITH THIS the Adobe PCD.cache file must be deleted also. It is located in library/application support/adobe/adobe PCD/ cache/ cache.db

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- Erik on September 9, 2009 at 10:45 am said:
  
  Thanks Rob. I’ll add your info to the bottom of my post.
  
  Erik
  
  Reply ↓
Plinio on September 9, 2009 at 6:26 pm said:

Thanks everybody, I deleted the Flexnet Publisher and the cache.db and everything works just fine. Just few seconds to jump the tower…

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Thierry on September 10, 2009 at 3:24 am said:

Maybe it run for mac but not for windows, the flexnet doesn’t appear in the library, can someone help me please thank you

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Sully on September 10, 2009 at 12:07 pm said:

I have deleted both… I load one of the apps and choose Accept for the LA and then it just closes. WTF???

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Sully on September 11, 2009 at 12:47 pm said:

Even after I delete the above mentioned files I receive the error after restarting my CS4 apps. I have created an app that deletes the above files. After removing the files I am able to run the program fine one time after I re-enter my SN. It is a temporary fix; but it works for now.

Download my “Fix Adobe License” script via the following URL. "Fix Adobe License" http://www.sullysrants.com/?p=755

I have an open ticket with Adobe. hopefully I receive a complete fix soon.

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Eric McVicker on September 11, 2009 at 5:53 pm said:

I’m glad I finally found this BLOG. Only after running BOTH the Adobe Lisence Tool and Deleting the files/folders mentioned at the bottom of the BLOG, did I get CS4 back on its feet.

Thanks Much!!

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- Erik on September 11, 2009 at 7:11 pm said:
  
  Glad things worked out for you. Hopefully things don’t re-break each time like it does for Sully!
  
  Good luck!
  
  Erik
  
  Reply ↓
iMonkey on September 13, 2009 at 2:58 am said:

Thanks a lot, running both steps (tool and delete folder and db file) is the only thing that has worked, and I’ve tried for 5 days now. Adobe has taken a leaf out of the Microsoft book on this, on how to make things so complicated that even a paying user can’t get them to work. There is a reason there are several tools and scripts on Adobe’s website for this, and many web pages dedicated to the subject of licensing errors. That said, I am not a paying user and am thankful to the internet powers for keeping us on the latest versions of everything.

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- Erik on September 13, 2009 at 4:53 pm said:
  
  It’s pretty sad to hear that the things paying users have to do to keep their software are some of the same things that help keep software thieves up and running. I hope a power surge fries your computer, dude.
  
  Erik
  
  Reply ↓
Sully on September 14, 2009 at 4:48 pm said:

Here is the latest from Adobe…

“Thank you for contacting Adobe Technical Support. This is in reference to your issue with CS4. Please call back if you are facing any issues/provide us with a time when we can contact you. Kindly update your contact number.

Thanx and regards Manish Adobe Support”

Awesome – Thanks Adobe

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J&K AUDIO on September 17, 2009 at 11:45 pm said:

Thanks so much! I have been working on this for literally 8-9 hours! I just deleted the folders and files mentioned above and that did the trick! Thanks a million!

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Andy on September 21, 2009 at 8:37 am said:

Thank you!

Just installed CS4 on Mac OS X.5.8 (2.66Ghz Macbook Pro)

was all excited opening up photoshop for the first time – to be greeted by the obnoxious 150:30 notice.

I have only deleted the files noted in your article and it works a treat.

Thank you!

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Steffi_YUL on September 24, 2009 at 7:26 pm said:

Thank u thank u!!!!!! I was pulling my hair out all day and now she works beautifully again!!

You rock!!

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Billy Jack on September 25, 2009 at 8:03 am said:

I tried it all. Nothing worked. What I did. Ran the License Recover tool 10 times NO CHANGE http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/405/kb405970.html NO CHANGE Ran the Tool to remove all version of ADOBE NO CHANGE Uninstalled Everything adobe and re-installed the CS4. NO CHANGE. Formatted my Hard drive and Restored from Time Machine NO CHANGE. Final Solution for me.

Installed Snow Leopard on an External drive and Installed Adobe CS4 and it started working None of my Files. Migrated my User Account with out machine setting and with out applications and CS4 continued to work. Formatted my Internal hard drive and migrated User data no Application or Machine info. Re-Installed CS4 and ALL MY APPS and it is working now.

I have no idea for sure but it seems like a disk permission issue. I hope no one else has to go to this extreme to get it fixed. Billy.

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Austin on September 28, 2009 at 10:44 pm said:

I just wanted to say that I had been working on the same problem for 3 weeks, with emails back and forth to adobe and endless hold times with no luck. I read the last post that said to delete the FLEXnet Publisher folder and IT WORKED!! like a charm.

Thank you!!

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Ton on September 28, 2009 at 11:23 pm said:

Wow..Thank you! I’ve tried so many different ways suggested by various posts on the internet. Yours is by far the best. The only one that makes sense.

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talin on September 29, 2009 at 4:46 am said:

dude, you totally saved my ass!!!

my macbookpro crashed (had fun with the nvidia-chip) and now i´m on a leased macbookpro and put my timemachine-backup in and voila: nothing worked anymore and i made the acquaintance with my new best-buddy 150:30. so i reinstalled, and reinstalled and reinstalled and then – after thinkin´ about running riot – i used google and found your website. i deleted the files you mentioned in your article and: here we go, everything works fine :)

big thanks man :)

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Scoo on October 1, 2009 at 7:29 am said:

Deleting just the FLEXnet Publisher folder worked for me too. Thanks Erik (and Simon)!

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mick on October 2, 2009 at 9:57 pm said:

THANK YOU! Deleting the Cache.db file and the FlexNet File together worked!!!

I’m a student and just forked out a whole bunch of money for CS4 design premium… if it hadn’t worked I think I would’ve cried =)

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Ulrich on October 3, 2009 at 6:14 am said:

THANK YOU!

Tried it on a NEW MacBookPro with Snow Leopard with CS4 newly installed.

=> YOUR TIPS helped after hours of searching…

I followed the Instructions above:

The

/Library/Preferences/FLEXnet Publisher

folder must be deleted. Not JUST the flexnet folder inside. ALONG WITH THIS the Adobe PCD.cache file must be deleted also. It is located in

/Library/application support/adobe/adobe PCD/ cache/ cache.db

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James on October 9, 2009 at 4:38 pm said:

Removing the flexnet folder did it for me. Thanks!

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Tor Ercleve on October 9, 2009 at 10:35 pm said:

Thank you very much! I was a little worried about deleting files in areas I rarely like to go to… but it has done the trick. How did you find out what to do? Very clever!

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Josue on October 11, 2009 at 7:49 am said:

Thanks a ton man, this was driving me nuts!

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JB on October 16, 2009 at 10:51 pm said:

Help, License recovery tool is asking for a password. Do you know it?? Deleting the Flexnet folders has not worked for me and cannot locate this cache.db folder, even following exact file path above. Its CS4 on SnowLeopard.

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Dave on October 18, 2009 at 5:51 pm said:

Thank you! I tried all of the Adobe steps to repair my 15o:30 error. Nothing worked until I deleted the FLEX and PCD files per your instructions.

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Eric Hulsey on October 26, 2009 at 7:18 pm said:

THANKS! Totally saved me from a total meltdown

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Catrine on October 30, 2009 at 6:18 pm said:

Thank you sooo much! After spending many hours trying to fix the problem, i’m glad I finally this page :)

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Toti on November 4, 2009 at 8:58 pm said:

It works. Cheers!

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Dave on November 12, 2009 at 7:23 am said:

You hero’s! This saved me so many headaches!

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Nate on November 12, 2009 at 10:41 am said:

i delete the flex folder and the app worked as described. Thanks!

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Erik's Brain

The reward of a thing well done…

Adobe Error 150:30 (and how to fix it) a.k.a. I Hate Adobe – Reason 34

UPDATE: Saturday, August 1, 2009

UPDATE: Monday, August 31, 2009 – Try deleting the `FLEXnet Publisher` folder

UPDATE: Wednesday, September 9, 2009

UPDATE: Monday, May 16, 2011 – Works with CS5 and CS5.5, too

UPDATE: Friday, October 7, 2011 – The Lion Fix

216 thoughts on “Adobe Error 150:30 (and how to fix it) a.k.a. I Hate Adobe – Reason 34”

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UPDATE: Saturday, August 1, 2009

UPDATE: Monday, August 31, 2009 – Try deleting the FLEXnet Publisher folder

UPDATE: Wednesday, September 9, 2009

UPDATE: Monday, May 16, 2011 – Works with CS5 and CS5.5, too

UPDATE: Friday, October 7, 2011 – The Lion Fix

216 thoughts on “Adobe Error 150:30 (and how to fix it) a.k.a. I Hate Adobe – Reason 34”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

UPDATE: Monday, August 31, 2009 – Try deleting the `FLEXnet Publisher` folder