A molecular modeling session can get stuck before it begins: the installer cannot reach the server, the account key is nowhere to be found, or a platform-specific warning makes it unclear what to do next. A little preparation can make installing SAMSON much more straightforward. This guide walks through the key decisions and checks, so you can spot likely obstacles before they interrupt the setup.
Do two checks before downloading
First, confirm that your operating system and graphics setup meet SAMSON’s requirements. This is particularly useful if you are installing on a work or shared computer, where graphics hardware or system permissions may not be obvious. Check the requirements and platforms page before starting.
Next, make sure you can sign in to SAMSON Connect and access your SAMSON key. The installer asks for both the email address associated with your account and the key. You can find the key in Account > Settings on SAMSON Connect, as well as on the download page. Having these details ready avoids having to pause midway through the installation.
Download the installer for your system
- Open the SAMSON download page.
- Sign in to SAMSON Connect or create an account.
- Download the installer for your operating system.
If you specifically need an older release, check the instructions for installing an older version before proceeding. In Advanced mode, the installer also lets you choose a specific SAMSON version and a custom installation path.
When the installer cannot connect
On a network that uses a proxy, the installer may need proxy settings to reach SAMSON Connect. It must connect to download SAMSON and its Extensions. Enter the proxy parameters if needed, then select Test connection. A successful check displays “SAMSON Connect reached successfully.” If you do not know the required proxy details, your system administrator may be able to provide them.
Testing the connection before continuing is a useful way to catch a network configuration issue early, rather than mistaking it for a problem with the installer or your account.
Follow the setup, one step at a time
Once the installer is running, it guides you through accepting the license agreement, optionally configuring a proxy, entering your account email and SAMSON key, choosing an installation mode, and downloading and installing the selected version. Use the email and key associated with the same SAMSON Connect account.
The standard mode is available for a default installation. Choose Advanced mode if you need to set a custom location or select a particular version. The installer then downloads SAMSON from SAMSON Connect and installs it locally.
A note for Linux users
On Linux, open a terminal in the folder containing the downloaded installer, make it executable, and launch it with:
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cd ~/Downloads chmod +x ./SAMSON-Setup.run QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb ./SAMSON-Setup.run |
If you encounter OpenGL or dependency issues, see the troubleshooting guide. The installer may also warn about Intel graphics cards. The documentation notes that you may choose to ignore this warning, especially if the computer also has a non-Intel NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.
After installation
When setup finishes, the final screen lets you start SAMSON. For your first launch, follow Getting Started. You can later customize your installation with SAMSON Extensions. Extensions are updated for the latest SAMSON version and update automatically when you launch the application, so keeping SAMSON current helps keep extensions up to date too.
On macOS, if file access is limited, consult the instructions for Full Disk Access. For the complete installation walkthrough and screenshots, see the SAMSON installation documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.