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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.21

                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
            STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AND INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT



         This FIRST AMENDMENT TO STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AND INVESTOR RIGHTS
AGREEMENT (this "Amendment") is made and entered into as of September 15, 2000,
by and between ESOFT, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), GATEWAY
COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Investor"), and GATEWAY, INC., a
Delaware corporation and the parent company of the Investor ("Gateway"), and is
made with reference to the following facts:

         A.       On April 26, 2000, the Company and the Investor entered into
that certain Stock and Warrant Purchase and Investor Rights Agreement (the
"Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company sold to the Investor, and the
Investor purchased from the Company, 1,281,591 shares of common stock, par value
$.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") at a purchase price of $19.507
per share, and five-year warrants to purchase 600,000 shares of Common Stock,
exercisable at a price of $19.507 per share (the "Initial Warrants").

         B.       On or about April 27, 2000, the Investor paid to the Company
the sum of $12,500,000, representing one-half of the purchase price of the
1,281,591 shares of Common Stock purchased by the Investor.

         C.       On or about April 27, 2000, the Company delivered a
certificate representing 640,796 shares of Common Stock to the Investor, and
deposited a certificate for 640,795 shares (the "Escrowed Shares") into escrow
with Norwest Bank Colorado National Association (the "Escrow Agent").

         D.       Terms used herein but not defined have the same meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the forgoing recitals, the mutual
promises hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE
                           AMENDMENT OF THE AGREEMENT

         SECTION 1.01. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1 OF THE AGREEMENT. Section 1 of the
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

         1.       AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AND SELL STOCK AND WARRANTS.

                  (a)      AUTHORIZATION. The Company's Board of Directors (the
         "Board") will, prior to the Closing (as defined in Section 2(a)),
         authorize the issuance, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
         Agreement, of (i) 640,796 shares of Common Stock (the "Shares"), (ii)
         the Initial Warrants, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock underlying
         the Warrants (the "Initial Warrant Shares"). The Board will, prior to
         the Escrow Closing (as

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         defined in Section 2(b)), authorize the issuance, pursuant to the terms
         and conditions of this Agreement, of (i) a convertible subordinated
         note, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT F, in the principal amount
         of $12,500,000 (the "Note"), (ii)five-year warrants to purchase 600,000
         shares of Common Stock, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT G (the
         "Substituted Warrants"), and (iii) the shares of Common Stock
         underlying the Substituted Warrants (the "Substituted Warrant Shares").

                  (b)      AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AND SELL SECURITIES. The
         Company hereby agrees to issue to the Investor, and the Investor hereby
         agrees to acquire from the Company, at the times set forth in Section
         2, (i) the Shares, (ii) the Initial Warrants, (iii) the Note, and (iv)
         the Substituted Warrants. The (x) Shares, (y) the shares of Common
         Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note at an assumed conversion
         price of $19.507 per share, and (z) the shares of Common Stock actually
         issued upon conversion of the outstanding principal balance of the Note
         (based on the actual conversion price) shall collectively be referred
         to herein as the "Purchased Shares."

                  (c)      PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price for the Shares
         shall be $12,500,000 (the "Share Purchase Price"), and the purchase
         price for the Note shall be $12,500,000 (the "Note Purchase Price").
         The Share Purchase Price and the Note Purchase Price shall be payable
         as set forth in Section 2.

                  (d)      ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES DELIVERABLE. If, within
         nine months following the Closing Date (as defined in Section 2(a)),
         the Company consummates an underwritten public offering of Common Stock
         at a public offering price less than or equal to $20.862, the number of
         shares of Common Stock deliverable by the Company in consideration of
         the Share Purchase Price shall be increased by a number determined by
         (x) dividing $12,500,000, by (y) a 6.5 percent discount to the public
         offering price of such underwritten public offering, and (z)
         subtracting 640,796 from the resulting number. If an adjustment is to
         be made pursuant to this subsection (d), such adjustment shall be made
         by the Company by delivering to the Investor additional shares of the
         Common Stock within five business days of such adjustment.

                  (e)      USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company intends to apply the net
         proceeds from the sale of the Shares and the Note for general working
         capital purposes, which may include acquisition of other entities or
         technologies.

         SECTION 1.02. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2 OF THE AGREEMENT. Section 2 of the
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

         2.       CLOSING AND SECOND CLOSING.

                  (a)      CLOSING. The purchase and sale of the Shares shall
         take place at the offices of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler,
         1999 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California, at 10:00 a.m.,
         California time, on the date that is two business days after all of the
         conditions set forth in Section 5 have been satisfied or waived (which
         time and place are referred to in this Agreement as the "Closing");
         provided, however, that if all of such conditions have not been
         satisfied or waived by May 15, 2000 (or such later

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         date as may be agreed to by the Company and the Investor), the
         obligations of the Company and the Investor shall terminate
         without further effect or liability. At the Closing, the Company will
         deliver to the Investor certificates representing the Shares against
         delivery to the Company by the Investor of the Share Purchase Price in
         cash paid by wire transfer of same-day funds to the Company. Closing
         documents may be delivered by facsimile with original signature pages
         sent by overnight courier. The date of the Closing sometimes is
         referred to herein as the "Closing Date."

                  (b)      ESCROW CLOSING. On or before September 15, 2000 (the
         "Escrow Closing Date"), the Company will deliver to the Investor the
         Note against delivery to the Company by the Investor of the Note
         Purchase Price in cash by wire transfer of same-day funds to the
         Company (the "Escrow Closing").

                  (c)      THE INITIAL WARRANTS. At the Closing, the Company
         will issue to the Investor the Initial Warrants. The Initial Warrants
         shall be in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A.

                  (d)      THE SUBSTITUTED WARRANTS. At the Escrow Closing, the
         Company will issue to the Investor the Substituted Warrants upon the
         Company's receipt from the Investor of the original copy of the Initial
         Warrants, marked by the Investor as "Terminated."

         SECTION 1.03. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 3 OF THE AGREEMENT. The following
amendments are hereby made to Section 3 of the Agreement:

         (a)      SECTION 3(b). The definition of "Securities" contained in
Section 3(b) is hereby amended to refer to the Shares, the Note, the shares
issuable upon conversion of the Note (the "Note Shares"), the Initial Warrants,
the Initial Warrant Shares, the Substituted Warrants and the Substituted Warrant
Shares.

         (b)      SECTION 3(d)(i). Section 3(d)(i) of the Agreement is hereby
amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                  (i)      VALID ISSUANCE. The Shares, the Note, the Initial
                  Warrants and the Substituted Warrants to be issued pursuant to
                  this Agreement and the Note Shares, the Initial Warrant Shares
                  and the Substituted Warrant Shares to be issued upon
                  conversion or exercise of the Note, the Initial Warrants and
                  the Substituted Warrants, respectively, are duly authorized
                  and, upon payment of the Share Purchase Price and the Note
                  Purchase Price by the Investor in accordance with this
                  Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
                  non-assessable.

         (c)      SECTION 3(e). Section 3(e) of the Agreement is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                  (e)      GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. Except for required filings
                  under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
                  1976, (the "HSR Act"), no consent, approval, order or
                  authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation,

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                  declaration or filing with, or notice to, any federal, state
                  or local governmental authority on the part of the Company or
                  any of its subsidiaries is required in connection with the
                  issuance of the Securities to the Investor, or the
                  consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this
                  Agreement, except for (i) the listing of the Shares, the
                  Initial Warrant Shares, the Note Shares and the Substituted
                  Warrant Shares on Nasdaq, (ii) the filing of a Form D with the
                  Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and (iii) the
                  filing of a Notice of Transaction and a Form U-2 with the
                  California Department of Corporations.

         SECTION 1.04. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 5 OF THE AGREEMENT. The following
amendments are hereby made to Section 5 of the Agreement:

         (a)      SECTION 5(b)(iii). The second sentence of Section 5(b)(iii) of
the Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows:

                  The Shares and the Initial Warrant Shares shall have been
                  approved for quotation on Nasdaq.

         (b)      SECTION 5(c). Section 5(c) of the Agreement is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                  (c)      The obligations of the Investor under this Agreement
                  are subject to the fulfillment or waiver, on or before the
                  Escrow Closing, of each of the following additional
                  conditions:

                           (i)      OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL. The Investor
                  will have received an opinion on behalf of the Company, dated
                  the Closing Date, from Davis, Graham & Stubbs LLP, counsel to
                  the Company, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT G.

                           (ii)     DELIVERY OF NOTE AND SUBSTITUTED WARRANT.
                  The Company shall have executed and delivered to the Investor
                  the Note and the Substituted Warrant.

         SECTION 1.05. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 6 OF THE AGREEMENT. The following
amendments are hereby made to Section 6 of the Agreement:

         (a)      SECTION 6(a)(iii). Section 6(a)(iii) of the Agreement is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                  (iii)    PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. The Investor shall have
                  delivered to the Company the Share Purchase Price at the
                  Closing and the Note Purchase Price at the Escrow Closing.

         (b)      SECTION 6(b)(iii). Section 6(b)(iii) of the Agreement is
hereby deleted and replaced with the phrase "Intentionally Omitted."

         SECTION 1.06. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 7 OF THE AGREEMENT. The following
amendments are hereby made to Section 7 of the Agreement:

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         (a)      SECTION 7(c)(i)(B)(x). Section 7(c)(i)(B)(x) of the Agreement
is hereby amended to read "(x) the Shares, the Initial Warrant Shares, the Note
Shares and the Substituted Warrant Shares."

         (b)      SECTION 7(c)(i)(C). Section 7(c)(i)(C) is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                  (C)      REGISTRABLE SECURITIES THEN OUTSTANDING. The number
         of shares of "Registrable Securities then outstanding" shall mean the
         number of Shares, Note Shares, Initial Warrant Shares, Substituted
         Warrant Shares, other shares of Common Stock and other securities that
         are Registrable Securities and are then issued and outstanding.

         (c)      SECTION 7(c)(ii)(A). The phrase "Warrants" contained in
Section 7(c)(ii)(A) is hereby amended to refer to "Substituted Warrants."

         (d)      SECTION 7(c)(ix). The phrase "Warrant Shares" contained in
Section 7(c)(ix) is hereby amended to refer to "Substituted Warrant Shares," and
the phrase "Warrants" contained in Section 7(c)(ix) is hereby amended to refer
to "Substituted Warrants." The phrase "being held pursuant to the Escrow
Agreement" contained in Section 7(c)(ix) is hereby deleted.

         (e)      SECTION 7(e)(i). The phrase "Warrant Shares" contained in
Section 7(e)(i) is hereby amended to refer to "Substituted Warrant Shares" and
the phrase "Warrants" contained in Section 7(e)(i) is hereby amended to refer to
"Substituted Warrants." The phrase "being held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement"
contained in Section 7(e)(i) is hereby deleted.

         (f)      SECTION 7(e)(iii)(C). Section 7(e)(iii)(C) is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                  (C)      the Shares, the Note Shares, the Initial Warrant
         Shares or the Substituted Warrant Shares issued under this Agreement;

         (g)      SECTION 7(e)(iii)(E)(2). The phrase "Warrants" contained in
Section 7(e)(iii)(E)(2) is hereby amended to refer to "Initial Warrants or
Substituted Warrants."

         (h)      SECTION 7(e)(iv)(A). The phrase "Purchased Shares" contained
in Section 7(e)(iv) is hereby amended to refer to "Shares."

         (i)      SECTION 7(f)(ii)(A). Section 7(f)(ii)(A) is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                  (A)      the Shares, the Note Shares, the Initial Warrant
         Shares or the Substituted Warrant Shares issued under this Agreement;

         (j)      SECTION 7(f)(ii)(F). The phrase "Warrants" contained in
Section 7(f)(ii)(F) is hereby amended to refer to "Initial Warrants or
Substituted Warrants."

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         (k)      SECTION 7(g)(iv). The phrase "Purchased Shares, Warrant Shares
and all New Securities and Maintenance Securities then owned by the Investor" is
hereby amended to read "Shares, Note Shares, Initial Warrant Shares, Substituted
Warrant Shares and all New Securities and Maintenance Securities then owned by
the Investor."

         (l)      SECTION 7(g)(iv)(A). Section 7(g)(iv)(A) of the Agreement is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                           (A)      The price per share at which such shares are
to be sold to Company shall be equal to: (1) in the case of the Shares or the
Initial Warrant Shares, the greater of (w) $4.8767 (taking into account any
adjustments for any stock split or dividend or other event of a similar nature
or any adjustment made pursuant to Section 1(d)), and (x) either the highest
price per share of capital stock (or equivalent) paid in connection with the
Corporate Event or, if the transaction involves the sale of a Significant
Subsidiary or assets or the licensing of Intellectual Property, the Investor's
pro rata share of the consideration received, directly or indirectly, by the
Company in such transaction based on its then fully-diluted ownership of the
Company's capital stock., and (2) in the case of the Note Shares or the
Substituted Warrant Shares, the greater of (y) $2.75 (taking into account any
adjustments for any stock split or dividend or other event of a similar nature),
and (z) either the highest price per share of capital stock (or equivalent) paid
in connection with the Corporate Event or, if the transaction involves the sale
of a Significant Subsidiary or assets or the licensing of Intellectual Property,
the Investor's pro rata share of the consideration received, directly or
indirectly, by the Company in such transaction based on its then fully-diluted
ownership of the Company's capital stock

         (m)      SECTION 7(h). The phrase "any shares held in escrow pursuant
to the Escrow Agreement" contained in Section 7(h) is hereby amended to refer to
"the Note Shares."

         SECTION 1.07. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 9 OF THE AGREEMENT. The phrase
"issued on the Closing Date" is hereby deleted.

         SECTION 1.08. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 11 OF THE AGREEMENT. The phrase
"Purchased Shares and the Warrant Shares" contained in Section 11(m) of the
Agreement is hereby amended to refer to "Shares, Initial Warrant Shares, Note
Shares and Substituted Warrant Shares."

                                   ARTICLE II
                                RELEASE OF ESCROW

         SECTION 2.01. RELEASE OF ESCROWED SHARES. Concurrently with the closing
of the transactions contemplated by this Amendment, the Company and the Investor
will transmit to Norwest Bank Colorado National Association instructions, in the
form attached hereto as EXHIBIT H, regarding the release of the Escrowed Shares
to the Company. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Amendment, the Investor shall have no further right or claim to the
Escrowed Shares.

         SECTION 2.02. CANCELLATION OF PROXY. Concurrently with the closing of
the transactions contemplated by this Amendment, the Company shall deliver to
the Investor the executed proxy

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delivered by the Investor to the Company at the Closing, which proxy is
attached hereto as EXHIBIT I.

                                   ARTICLE III
                              INVESTMENT IN GATEWAY

         SECTION 3.01.  AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AND SELL STOCK.

         (a)      AUTHORIZATION. Gateway's Board of Directors (the "Gateway
Board") will, prior to the Escrow Closing, authorize the issuance, pursuant to
the terms and conditions of this Amendment, of 30,000 shares (the "Gateway
Shares") of Gateway's common stock, $.01 par value (the "Gateway Common Stock"),
to the Company.

         (b)      AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AND SELL SECURITIES. Gateway hereby
agrees to issue to the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to acquire from
Gateway, at the Escrow Closing, the Gateway Shares.

         (c)      PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price for the Gateway Shares
shall be $3,000,000 (the "Gateway Share Purchase Price"). The Gateway Share
Purchase Price shall be payable as set forth in Section 3.02.

         SECTION 3.02. CLOSING. The purchase and sale of the Gateway Shares
shall take place at the offices of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler, 1999
Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California, at 10:00 a.m., California time, on
the Escrow Closing Date (or such later date as may be agreed to by the Company
and Gateway). At the Escrow Closing, Gateway will deliver to the Company
certificates representing the Gateway Purchased Shares against delivery to
Gateway by the Company of the Gateway Share Purchase Price in cash paid by wire
transfer of same-day funds to Gateway. Closing documents may be delivered by
facsimile with original signature pages sent by overnight courier.

         SECTION 3.03 REGISTRATION OF GATEWAY SHARES. Gateway's issuance of the
Gateway Shares to the Company shall be registered pursuant to an effective
Registration Statement on Form S-3.

         SECTION 3.04. LISTING ON NYSE. Within thirty days following the Escrow
Closing, Gateway will list the Gateway Shares on The New York Stock Exchange.

         SECTION 3.05. OPINION OF GATEWAY COUNSEL. At the Escrow Closing,
Gateway will deliver an opinion on behalf of Gateway, dated the Closing Date,
from the general counsel of Gateway, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT J.

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                                   ARTICLE IV
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         SECTION 4.01. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GATEWAY. Gateway hereby
represents and warrants to the Company that the statements in this Section 4.01
are true and correct on the date hereof and will be true and correct on the
Escrow Closing Date:

         (a)      ORGANIZATION, GOOD STANDING AND QUALIFICATION. Gateway is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has all corporate power and authority required to
(i) own or lease its properties and assets and carry on its business as
presently conducted, and (ii) enter into this Amendment and the other
agreements, instruments and documents contemplated hereby, and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each of Gateway's subsidiaries is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all corporate power and
authority required to own or lease its properties and assets and carry on its
business as presently conducted. Each of Gateway and its subsidiaries is
qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the failure to so qualify or be in good standing, either individually or in the
aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on Gateway. As used in this
Agreement, "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on, or a
material adverse change in, or a group of such effects on or changes in, the
business, operations, financial condition, results of operations, prospects,
assets or liabilities of the applicable party and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole.

         (b)      CAPITALIZATION. The capitalization of Gateway, without giving
effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, is as follows. The
authorized capital stock of the Company consists only of 1,000,000,000 shares of
Gateway Common Stock, 1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value
("Gateway Class A Common Stock"), and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01
par value ("Gateway Preferred Stock"), of which 323,017,280 shares of Gateway
Common Stock and no shares of Gateway Class A Common Stock or Gateway Preferred
Stock were issued and outstanding as of September 11, 2000. All such shares of
Gateway Common Stock have been duly authorized, and all such issued and
outstanding shares of Gateway Common Stock have been validly issued, are fully
paid and nonassessable and are free and clear of all liens, claims and
encumbrances, other than any liens, claims or encumbrances created by or imposed
upon the holders thereof. The issuance of the Gateway Shares to the Company will
not (i) trigger any rights of first refusal, maintenance rights, preemptive
rights or any other rights of any stockholder of Gateway, or (ii) trigger any
change in control provisions in any of Gateway's equity incentive plans or stock
option plans.

         (c)      DUE AUTHORIZATION. All corporate actions on the part of
Gateway, its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the
authorization, execution, delivery of, and the performance of all obligations of
the Company under, this Amendment, and the authorization, issuance, reservation
for issuance and delivery of the Gateway Shares being sold under this Amendment,
have been taken, and this Amendment constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of Gateway, enforceable against Gateway in accordance with its terms.

         (d)      VALID ISSUANCE OF STOCK.

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                  (i)      VALID ISSUANCE. The Gateway Shares are duly
authorized and, upon payment of the Gateway Share Purchase Price by the Company
in accordance with this Amendment, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

                  (ii)     COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS. Assuming the
correctness of the representations made by the Company in Section 4.03, the
Gateway Shares will be issued to the Company in compliance with applicable
exemptions from (A) the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and (B) the
registration and qualification requirements of all applicable securities laws of
the states of the United States.

         (e)      GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. No consent, approval, order or
authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or
filing with, or notice to, any federal, state or local governmental authority on
the part of Gateway or any of its subsidiaries is required in connection with
the issuance of the Gateway Shares to the Company, or the consummation of the
other transactions contemplated by this Amendment, except for (i) the listing of
the Gateway Shares on The New York Stock Exchange, and (ii) the filing of a Form
D with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

         (f)      NON-CONTRAVENTION. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Amendment by Gateway, and the consummation by Gateway of the transactions
contemplated hereby (including the issuance of the Gateway Shares), do not (i)
contravene or conflict with Gateway's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, in
each case as amended; (ii) constitute a violation of any provision of any
federal, state, local or foreign law binding upon or applicable to Gateway or
any of its subsidiaries; or (iii) constitute a default or require any consent
under, give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of,
or to a loss of any benefit to which Gateway or any of its subsidiaries is
entitled under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, claim or
encumbrance on any assets of Gateway or any of its subsidiaries under, any
contract to which Gateway or such subsidiary is a party or any permit, license
or similar right relating to Gateway or such subsidiary or by which Gateway or
such subsidiary may be bound or affected.

         (g)      LITIGATION. There is no action, suit, proceeding, claim,
arbitration or investigation (each an "Action") pending or, to the best of
Gateway's knowledge, threatened: (i) against Gateway or any of its subsidiaries,
or any of their respective activities, properties or assets, or any of their
respective officers, directors or employees of Gateway or any of its
subsidiaries in connection with such officer's, director's or employee's
relationship with, or actions taken on behalf of, Gateway or such subsidiary
that is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Gateway, or (ii) that
seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated by this
Amendment (including the issuance of the Gateway Shares). Neither Gateway nor
any of its subsidiaries is a party to or subject to the provisions of any order,
writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or
instrumentality that is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Gateway.

         (h)      COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND CHARTER DOCUMENTS. Gateway is not in
violation or default of any provisions of its Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws, in each case as amended. Gateway and its subsidiaries have complied and
are in compliance with all applicable statutes,

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laws, rules, regulations and orders of the United States of America and all
states thereof, foreign countries and other governmental bodies and agencies
having jurisdiction over their respective businesses or properties, except
where such failure to comply would not reasonably be likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Gateway.

         (i)      SEC DOCUMENTS.

                  (1)      REPORTS. Gateway has made available to the Company
prior to the date hereof copies of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1999 ("Form 10-K"), its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000 (the "Form
10-Q's"), and all other registration statements, reports and proxy statements
filed by the Company with the SEC on or after December 31, 1999 (the Form 10-K,
the Form 10-Q's and such registration statements, reports and proxy statements
are collectively referred to herein as the "SEC Documents"). Except to the
extent that information contained in any SEC Document has been revised or
superseded by a later SEC Document filed and publicly available prior to the
date of this Amendment, each of the SEC Documents, as of the respective date
thereof (or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the Escrow Closing
Date, then on the date of such filing), did not, and each of the registration
statements, reports and proxy statements filed by the Company with the SEC after
the date hereof and prior to the Escrow Closing will not, as of the date thereof
(or if amended or superseded by a filing after the date of this Amendment, then
on the date of such filing), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Neither Gateway nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any
material contract, agreement or other arrangement that was required to have been
filed as an exhibit to the SEC Documents that was not so filed.

                  (2)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Gateway has made available to
the Company copies of its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999 (the "Balance Sheet Date"). Since the Balance Sheet Date,
Gateway has duly filed with the SEC all registration statements, reports and
proxy statements required to be filed by it under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the Securities Act. The audited and
unaudited consolidated financial statements of Gateway included in the SEC
Documents filed prior to the date hereof fairly present, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles (except, in the case of the Forms 10-Q
and 8-K, as may otherwise be permitted by Form 10-Q and Form 8-K) applied on a
consistent basis (except as otherwise may be stated in the notes thereto), the
consolidated financial position of Gateway as at the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended
(subject to normal year-end audit adjustments in the case of unaudited interim
financial statements).

         SECTION 4.02. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTOR. The
Investor hereby represents and warrants to the Company that the statements in
this Section 4.02 are true and correct on the date hereof and will be true and
correct on the Escrow Closing Date:

         (a)      ORGANIZATION, GOOD STANDING AND QUALIFICATION. The Investor is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and has all corporate power and authority required
to own or lease its properties and assets and

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carry on its business as presently conducted. The Investor is qualified to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to
so qualify or be in good standing, either individually or in the aggregate,
would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

         (b)      DUE AUTHORIZATION. The execution of this Amendment has been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Investor.
This Amendment constitutes the Investor's legal, valid and binding obligation,
enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms, except (i) as may
be limited by (A) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and (B) the effect of rules of law governing the
availability of equitable remedies and (ii) as rights to indemnity or
contribution may be limited under federal or state securities laws or by
principles of public policy hereunder.

         (c)      NON-CONTRAVENTION. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Amendment by the Investor, and the consummation by the Investor of the
transactions contemplated hereby, do not (i) contravene or conflict with the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Investor, in each case as amended;
(ii) constitute a violation of any provision of any federal, state, local or
foreign law binding upon or applicable to the Investor; or (iii) constitute a
default or require any consent under, give rise to any right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of, or to a loss of any benefit to which the
Investor is entitled under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
claim or encumbrance on any assets of the Investor under, any contract to which
the Investor is a party or any permit, license or similar right relating to the
Investor or by which the Investor may be bound or affected.

         (d)      LITIGATION. There is no Action pending that seeks to prevent,
enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated by this Amendment.

         SECTION 4.03. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The
Company hereby represents and warrants to Gateway and the Investor that the
statements in this Section 4.03 are true and correct on the date hereof and will
be true and correct on the Escrow Closing Date:

         (a)      ORGANIZATION, GOOD STANDING AND QUALIFICATION. The Company is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and has all corporate power and authority required
to own or lease its properties and assets and carry on its business as presently
conducted. The Company is qualified to do business and is in good standing in
each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify or be in good standing,
either individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company.

         (b)      DUE AUTHORIZATION. The execution of this Amendment has been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company.
This Amendment constitutes the Company's legal, valid and binding obligation,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as may
be limited by (A) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and (B) the effect of rules of law governing the
availability of equitable remedies and (ii) as rights to indemnity or
contribution may be limited under federal or state securities laws or by
principles of public policy hereunder.

                                       11

<PAGE>

         (c)      NON-CONTRAVENTION. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Amendment by the Company, and the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby, do not (i) contravene or conflict with the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, in each case as amended;
(ii) constitute a violation of any provision of any federal, state, local or
foreign law binding upon or applicable to the Company; or (iii) constitute a
default or require any consent under, give rise to any right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of, or to a loss of any benefit to which the
Company is entitled under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
claim or encumbrance on any assets of the Company under, any contract to which
the Company is a party or any permit, license or similar right relating to the
Company or by which the Company may be bound or affected.

         (d)      LITIGATION. There is no Action pending that seeks to prevent,
enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated by this Amendment.

         (e)      GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. No consent, approval, order or
authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or
filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority on the part of
the Company is required in connection with the purchase of the Gateway Shares by
the Company pursuant to this Amendment.

         (f)      PURCHASE FOR OWN ACCOUNT. The Gateway Shares are being
acquired for investment for the Investor's own account, not as a nominee or
agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution thereof within
the meaning of the Securities Act, and the Company has no present intention of
selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. The
Company also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of
acquiring the Gateway Shares.

         (g)      INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE. The Company understands that the
purchase of the Gateway Shares involves substantial risk. The Company has
experience as an investor in securities of companies and acknowledges that it is
able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment in the
Gateway Shares and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business
matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of this investment
in the Gateway Shares and protecting its own interests in connection with this
investment.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 5.01. HARDWARE PROVIDER. During the Initial Rights Period,
Gateway will be the Company's exclusive hardware provider (including personal
computers and servers) for the Company's internal corporate uses as long as
Gateway can offer the products required by the Company at competitive prices and
within competitive timeframes.

         SECTION 5.02. NASDAQ LISTING. The Company shall list the Note Shares
and the Warrant Shares on the Nasdaq National Market within 30 days following
the Escrow Closing.

                                       12

<PAGE>

         SECTION 5.03. CONTINUATION OF THE AGREEMENT. Except as modified hereby,
the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. The provisions of Section
8 of the Agreement shall govern any claims of indemnification that arise
pursuant to this Amendment.

         SECTION 5.04. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The terms and conditions of this
Amendment will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective
successors and assigns of the parties.

         SECTION 5.05. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment will be governed by and
construed under the internal laws of the State of Delaware.

         SECTION 5.06. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

         SECTION 5.07. HEADINGS. The headings and captions used in this
Amendment are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in
construing or interpreting this Amendment.

         SECTION 5.08. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted under this
Amendment shall be given in writing, shall be effective when received, and shall
in any event be deemed received and effectively given upon personal delivery to
the party to be notified or three business days after deposit with the United
States Post Office, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or one (1)
business day after deposit with a nationally recognized courier service such as
FedEx for next business day delivery under circumstances in which such service
guarantees next business day delivery, or one (1) business day after facsimile
with copy delivered by registered or certified mail, in any case, postage
prepaid and addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated for
such party on the signature page hereof or at such other address as the parties
may designate by giving at least ten days advance written notice pursuant to
this Section 5.05.

         SECTION 5.09. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. This Amendment may be amended and
the observance of any term of this Amendment may be waived (either generally or
in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with
the written consent of the Company, the Investor and Gateway. Any amendment or
waiver effected in accordance with this Section 5.06 will be binding upon
Gateway, the Investor, the Company and their respective successors and assigns.

         SECTION 5.10. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Amendment is held
to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision will be excluded from
this Amendment and the balance of the Amendment will be interpreted as if such
provision were so excluded and will be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         SECTION 5.11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Amendment and the Agreement, and
all exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto, which are hereby incorporated by
reference into and made an integral part of this Amendment, constitute the
entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence,
agreements, understandings duties or obligations between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof.

                                       13

<PAGE>

         SECTION 5.12. FURTHER ASSURANCES. From and after the date of this
Amendment upon the request of the Company or the Investor or Gateway, the
Company and the Investor and Gateway will execute and deliver such instruments,
documents or other writings, and take such other actions, as may be reasonably
necessary or desirable to confirm and carry out and to effectuate fully the
intent and purposes of this Amendment.

         SECTION 5.13. MEANING OF INCLUDE AND INCLUDING; ARTICLE AND SECTION
REFERENCES. Whenever in this Amendment the word "include" or "including" is
used, it shall be deemed to mean "include, without limitation" or "including,
without limitation," as the case may be, and the language following "include" or
"including" shall not be deemed to set forth an exhaustive list. All "Article",
"Section", "subsection", "paragraph" and "Clause" references herein are
references to Articles, Sections, subsections, paragraphs and clauses,
respectively, of this Amendment unless otherwise specified.

         SECTION 5.14. FEES, COSTS AND EXPENSES. All fees, costs and expenses
(including attorney's fees and expenses) incurred by any party hereto in
connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the costs
associated with any filings with, or compliance with any of the requirements of,
any governmental authorities), shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of
such party.

                             SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS











                                       14

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as
of the date and year first written above.



eSOFT, INC.                                    GATEWAY COMPANIES, INC.



By: /s/ Jeffrey Finn                           By: /s/ John Todd
    ---------------------------                   -----------------------
    Name: Jeffrey Finn                            Name: John Todd
    Title: CEO                                    Title: CFO


                                               GATEWAY, INC.



                                               By: /s/ John Todd
                                                   ------------------------
                                                   Name: John Todd
                                                   Title: CFO








                                       15

<PAGE>

ADDRESS FOR eSOFT, INC.:             ADDRESS FOR GATEWAY COMPANIES, INC. AND
                                     GATEWAY, INC.:

295 Interlocken Blvd., #500          4545 Towne Centre Court
Broomfield, Colorado 80021           San Diego, California 92121
Telephone No: (303) 444-1600         Telephone No.: (858) 799-3401
Facsimile No: (303) 444-1640         Facsimile No.: (858) 799-3413
Attn: Chief Executive Officer        Attn: General Counsel

with copies to:                   and

Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP            Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler, LLP
1550 17th Street                     1999 Avenue of the Stars
Suite 500                            Suite 1600
Denver, Colorado 80202               Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attention: Lester R.  Woodward       Attn: Barry L.  Dastin, Esq.
Telephone No.: (303) 892-7392        Telephone No.: (310) 788-1000
Facsimile No.: (303) 893-1379        Facsimile No.: (310) 788-1200