Installing a molecular modeling platform is rarely the part of the work you planned to spend time on. A download that cannot reach the server, a missing account key, or an unexpected proxy prompt can turn a quick setup into a frustrating detour. A little preparation helps you spot these issues before the installer is halfway through.
This guide focuses on the practical decisions that matter when installing SAMSON: what to have ready, how to handle a connection problem, and what to check on Linux. It is useful whether you are setting up your own workstation or helping a colleague get started.
Get the essentials ready first
Before downloading anything, check that your operating system and graphics hardware meet the supported requirements. The Requirements and platforms page is the place to confirm this. This can save time if your machine has a graphics configuration that may cause problems; the installer specifically warns that Intel graphics cards may currently cause issues. The warning can be ignored in some situations, particularly if the computer also has a non-Intel NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.
You will also need access to your SAMSON Connect account and your SAMSON key. The email address you enter during setup should be the one associated with that account. If you need to locate the key, check Account > Settings on SAMSON Connect or the download page. Having both details ready before launching the installer avoids stopping midway to search for them.
Think about your network before the download
The installer needs to reach SAMSON Connect to download SAMSON and its Extensions. If your network uses a proxy, have the relevant proxy information available; your system administrator may be able to provide it. In the installer, enter the proxy parameters and use Test connection before continuing. A successful test confirms that the installer can reach SAMSON Connect; if the connection fails, check the settings rather than repeatedly restarting the installation.
When the connection works, the installer displays the message "SAMSON Connect reached successfully". This is a useful checkpoint: it confirms the download can proceed before you move further into setup.
Choose the installation path that fits
For a straightforward setup, follow the installer’s default mode. The installation flow asks you to accept the license agreement, optionally configure a proxy, enter your account email and SAMSON key, choose an installation mode, and then download and install the selected version.
If you need a custom installation path or a specific SAMSON version, enable Advanced mode. If you are looking for an older release, check the instructions for installing an older version before proceeding. It is worth knowing that SAMSON Extensions are updated for the latest SAMSON version and update automatically when you launch SAMSON, so using an older version may affect which Extensions are available.
One Linux-specific step
On Linux, open a terminal in your Downloads folder, make the installer executable, and launch it with the following commands:
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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, use the Troubleshooting guide rather than guessing at changes to your system.
After setup
When installation finishes, launch SAMSON and follow the Getting Started guide for your first session. You can customize your setup with SAMSON Extensions. On macOS, if file access is limited, see the guidance on Full Disk Access.
For the complete installation procedure and screenshots, visit the SAMSON installation documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.