A molecular modeling session can lose momentum before it begins: the installer cannot connect, the account key is nowhere to be found, or a proxy setting gets in the way. A little preparation can make the setup more predictable. This guide focuses on the practical checks that help you get from download to first launch—and what to try when the installer pauses.
Do three checks before downloading
- Check your computer. Review the requirements and platform information for operating-system and graphics requirements. The installer may warn about Intel graphics cards. The documentation notes that you can choose to ignore the warning, particularly if the computer also has an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.
- Confirm account access. You’ll need the email address associated with your SAMSON Connect account and your SAMSON key. The key is available in Account > Settings on SAMSON Connect and on its download page. If you need more detail, see the key FAQ.
- Think about your network. SAMSON Connect must be reachable so the installer can download SAMSON and its Extensions. If your organization uses a proxy, you may need its settings; your system administrator can help provide them.
Use the connection test before proceeding
Download the installer from the SAMSON download page, sign in or create an account, and choose the installer for your operating system. In the installer, use Test connection before continuing if you’re using a proxy. A successful check displays “SAMSON Connect reached successfully.” If the check fails, enter the proxy parameters and test again rather than proceeding with settings that haven’t been verified.
This is a useful point to pause if you’re on a managed network. A connection problem may be about network access rather than your account or the software itself. Keep the account email and key ready, but ask your administrator about proxy details if you don’t know them.
Know what the installer will ask you to do
After accepting the license agreement, you may configure a proxy, enter your account email and SAMSON key, and choose either the default or advanced installation mode. Advanced mode lets you select a custom installation path and a specific SAMSON version. If you don’t need either choice, the default mode keeps the process straightforward.
Once the connection and account details are accepted, the installer downloads the selected version and installs it locally. The screenshots below show the download in progress and the completion screen, where you can start SAMSON.
If you’re installing on Linux
Open a terminal in your download folder, make the installer executable, and launch it with the command shown in the installation guide:
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cd ~/Downloads chmod +x ./SAMSON-Setup.run QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb ./SAMSON-Setup.run |
If OpenGL or dependency issues appear, use the troubleshooting guide rather than guessing at changes to your system.
After setup: plan for the first launch
When installation finishes, launch SAMSON and follow the Getting Started instructions. If you’re on macOS and file access is limited, the documentation points to a specific step for Full Disk Access.
One version detail is worth knowing before you choose an older release: SAMSON Extensions are updated for the latest version and update automatically when SAMSON launches. SAMSON also checks for updates regularly; you can invoke an update from Interface menu > Update SAMSON. If you specifically need an older version, consult the older-version FAQ.
For the complete installation walkthrough, see the SAMSON installation guide.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.