A molecular modeling session can lose momentum before it begins: the installer cannot reach the download server, a license key is nowhere to be found, or the application installs but does not launch as expected. A little preparation can make setup much more predictable—and help you identify which kind of problem you are actually facing.
This guide focuses on the practical checkpoints that matter when installing SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, on Windows, Linux, or macOS. It is especially useful if you are setting up a workstation behind a managed network or helping a colleague get started.
Before downloading: check the essentials
First, confirm that your operating system and graphics hardware meet the current requirements. The Requirements and platforms page is the right place to check before spending time on an installation that may not suit your machine.
Next, make sure you can sign in to SAMSON Connect. The installer asks for the email address associated with your account and your SAMSON key. You can find the key under Account > Settings on SAMSON Connect, and on the download page. Having both details ready avoids a needless pause halfway through setup.
If you specifically need an older release, check the instructions for installing an older version before you begin. In the installer, Advanced mode lets you choose a specific SAMSON version and a custom installation path.
When the installer cannot connect
On a workplace, university, or other restricted network, the issue may be connectivity rather than your account. The installer needs to reach SAMSON Connect to download SAMSON and its Extensions. If the connection check does not succeed, you may need proxy parameters from your network administrator.
Enter the proxy details in the installer and use Test connection before continuing. A successful test should display “SAMSON Connect reached successfully.” If it does not, confirm the proxy information with your administrator rather than repeatedly re-entering your account key: these checks address different problems.
Linux: launch the downloaded installer
On Linux, download the installer, open a terminal in the download folder, and make the file executable before launching it. The documented commands are:
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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 for the next steps. The installation page also notes that Intel graphics cards may cause issues and that the installer may display a warning. If your computer also has a non-Intel graphics card, such as NVIDIA or AMD, the warning may be ignored according to the guide.
Follow the installer in stages
Once the setup starts, the flow is straightforward: accept the license agreement, configure a proxy if needed, enter your account email and SAMSON key, choose the installation mode, and let the installer download and install the selected version. If the network uses a proxy, test the connection before starting the download.
When installation completes, launch SAMSON and follow the first-launch instructions. Extensions are updated for the latest SAMSON version and update automatically when you launch the application. You can also check for an update from Interface menu > Update SAMSON. Keeping the application current can therefore help avoid a mismatch between the version you run and the Extensions available for it.
For macOS users who find that file access is limited after installation, the documentation has a specific guide to Full Disk Access in macOS. This is a useful follow-up if the application is installed but cannot access files as expected.
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 at samson-connect.net.