If you’re a molecular modeler working in a highly specific environment—whether you’re replicating previous results or using plugins that only support certain versions—it can be essential to install an older version of SAMSON. The good news? SAMSON provides a clear pathway to do this through its installer.
Here’s how and why you might want to go back in time ⏳ with your SAMSON installation.
Why install an older version?
There are several valid reasons you might need a previous SAMSON version:
- Your workflow depends on a specific SAMSON Extension that hasn’t been updated to the latest version.
- You are reproducing simulations or structural studies done on an earlier version for consistency.
- Your hardware or operating system works best with a previous release.
Step-by-step: Installing an older SAMSON version
1. Download the SAMSON installer from SAMSON Connect if you haven’t already.
2. Launch the installer. At the second step of the installation, check the box labeled Install an older version:
3. In the next step, you’ll be given a list of available versions. Select the version you want. Note that versions are displayed as developer version numbers, e.g., 2.0.2 corresponds to the 2021 version of SAMSON.
If you’re unsure which developer version corresponds to the version you need, consult the User Guides for other SAMSON versions.
Launching a specific version manually
Once you’ve installed multiple versions of SAMSON, you may want to run a particular one that’s not the default. Here’s how to manually launch a version:
On Windows:
|
1 |
C:/Users/%USERNAME%/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/10.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.exe |
On macOS:
|
1 |
$HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/ |
On Linux:
|
1 |
$HOME/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/10.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.sh |
Replace 10.0.0 with the actual version number you installed.
Things to keep in mind
- You might want to disable automatic updates to prevent SAMSON from suggesting upgrades if you’re intentionally using a specific version.
- Extensions are usually maintained for the latest version of SAMSON, so using older versions might limit access to recent updates or new extensions.
- Always check compatibility with your OS and hardware requirements.
Having the flexibility to install and run older versions of SAMSON can be a huge advantage in maintaining consistency and compatibility in your molecular modeling work. Whether you’re validating results or sticking with tools that you know, SAMSON gives you full control over the version you want to use.
To learn more, visit the full FAQ section on older versions or browse the complete SAMSON FAQ.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at www.samson-connect.net.