A molecular modeling session can be interrupted before it begins by a workstation that looks suitable but is missing one critical piece: the required OpenGL support, a compatible operating system, or a Linux library. Checking these details first can save time—especially when preparing a shared lab computer, a teaching-room workstation, or a virtual machine.
This checklist turns the platform requirements into a simple pre-installation sequence. It does not require administrator rights for SAMSON itself, and it helps separate operating-system compatibility from graphics and Linux dependency issues.
1. Check the operating system
The current support matrix lists Windows 10 and Windows 11. Supported Linux options include Ubuntu 22.04 and newer, Fedora 42 and newer, CentOS, and other similar Linux operating systems. On macOS, the listed versions are Tahoe (26), Sequoia (15), Sonoma (14), Ventura (13), and Monterey (12), on both Intel and Apple Silicon.
Older operating systems may work, but they are not part of the currently tested support matrix. If you are choosing a machine for a new installation, use a listed platform where possible; it gives you a clearer starting point if you need to troubleshoot.
2. Verify the graphics requirement
SAMSON requires a 64-bit operating system and a graphics card that supports OpenGL 4.1. For NVIDIA or AMD GPUs, the documentation recommends using the latest drivers. The important pre-installation question is therefore not just whether the computer has a graphics card, but whether its graphics setup provides the required OpenGL capability.
This check deserves extra attention on virtual machines. Enable hardware GPU acceleration before relying on a virtual machine for SAMSON: without it, required OpenGL features may not be available. If you are preparing multiple workstations, check the graphics path on a representative machine before deploying broadly.
3. Add Linux packages only when needed
Some Linux systems may need additional libraries for SAMSON to run. On Ubuntu-like systems, the documented packages are:
sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0 libatomic1
On CentOS-like systems, the suggested command is:
sudo dnf install xcb-util*
These are possible prerequisites, not a promise that every installation needs them. If OpenGL libraries are missing or incorrectly configured, package installation alone may not resolve the graphics setup; use the Linux OpenGL troubleshooting guidance linked below.
4. Remember the installation context
SAMSON installs in the user home, and administrator rights are not necessary. It also checks that it is not running in admin mode. That makes it useful to confirm you are launching it as the intended user rather than assuming an elevated account is required for setup.
A quick preflight checklist
- Confirm the system is 64-bit and uses a listed operating system, if possible.
- Check that the graphics card supports OpenGL 4.1.
- Update NVIDIA or AMD GPU drivers when applicable.
- For a virtual machine, enable hardware GPU acceleration.
- On Linux, install the suggested packages if the system needs them, and investigate OpenGL separately if graphics support is misconfigured.
- Make sure you can access your account and installer through SAMSON Connect.
Doing these checks before installation helps pinpoint whether a problem is likely to come from platform compatibility, graphics support, or a missing Linux dependency. For the full requirements and troubleshooting links, see the SAMSON requirements and platforms documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.