EXHIBIT 10.41

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT

        In September 2001, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
of Adaptec, Inc. (the "Company") approved the increase in director fees payable
to Carl Conti, Chairman of the Board, to $100,000 per year, to be paid in equal
monthly installments, and approved the grant of an option to purchase 30,000
shares of the Company's common stock under the Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan.
The options became fully vested two years after the grant date. The Compensation
Committee approved these director fees and option grant in consideration of
Mr. Conti's working approximately one week per month, in addition to attendance
at meetings of the Board of Directors, on Company strategy, business and other
matters with Robert N. Stephens, the Company's President and Chief Executive
Officer.

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