EXHIBIT 10.36

January 28, 2008

Mr. Stephen Terlizzi

[Address]

Dear Steve,

Adaptec must react to changing business needs to be competitive in today's market.  After careful consideration of our futurebusiness, we need to make some difficult business decisions, one of which impacts your position.  

We regret to notify you that your position will be eliminated and upon signing the attached SeparationAgreement and General Release you will receive the Separation Payments and Benefits as noted in 10 (b) in your ExecutiveEmployment Agreement and the retention payment communicated to you in the August 14th Retention letter. Your last work date and termination date will be February 1, 2008.  Your current health and dental benefits will end on February 29,2008.  However, you are eligible for benefits continuation through COBRA.  Your final payroll check will include payout of unusedaccrued vacation. 

Please sign and return the Separation Agreement and General Release below along with the exit paperwork to Adaptec HumanResources in the enclosed envelope no later than February 22, 2008.****Severance payment will be processed 8 days afterreceipt of the signed Agreement.

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

- Adaptec's Consideration for Agreement:  In exchange for the release and agreements described herein, Adaptec agrees asfollows:

(a)On the eighth day following the date Adaptec receives a signed Agreement, and provided that you have returned all Adaptecproperty, equipment, and assets, your Employment Agreement severance payment will be processed in a one time lump sum paymentequal to nine months of your base pay, less legally mandated payroll deductions and withholdings.  You will also receive the retentionincentive of four months of your base pay less legally mandated payroll deductions and withholdings. These payments are being givenas consideration for this Agreement and are not otherwise due.
(b)You also acknowledge that Adaptec stock option grants that have vested as of the termination date must be exercised withinthree (3) months of termination. 
(c)Beginning on March 1, 2008, you shall be entitled to continuation of your Adaptec health, vision, dental, and Employee AssistanceProgram (EAP) benefits pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act ("COBRA").  You mustsubmit completed COBRA Qualifying Event Notification enrollment forms directly to Ceridian for coverage.  Adaptec agrees to pay thepremiums for those COBRA benefits through and until November 30, 2008, at which time said benefits shall cease unless you elect topay for those benefits. 
(d)You have 2 months from your termination date to sign up for your career search program with Right Management Consultants.(pamphlet in folder)- Your Consideration for Agreement: In consideration for the payments and undertakings described above, you individually and onbehalf of your representatives, successors, and assigns, do hereby completely release and forever discharge Adaptec, itsshareholders, employees, owners, officers and directors, Board Members, and all other representatives, agents, entities, subsidiaries,divisions, directors, attorneys, successors, and assigns from all claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations, and causes of action ofany and every kind, nature and character, known or unknown, which you may now have, or have ever had, against them arising from orin any way connected with the employment relationship between the parties, any actions during the relationship or the terminationthereof.  This Release covers all statutory, common law, constitutional and other claims, including but not limited to: all "wrongfuldischarge" and "constructive discharge" claims; all claims relating to any contracts of employment, express or implied;any claims for defamation, misrepresentation, fraud, or breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, express or implied; anyclaim for negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; any claim for negligence; any claims for attorney's fees or costs; any tortclaims of any nature; any claims under federal, state or municipal statute or ordinance; any claims under the California FairEmployment and Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of  1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, the AgeDiscrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers' Benefit Protection Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the EmployeeRetirement Income Security Act, the California Labor and Civil Codes, the California Constitution, Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973,Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act(WARN), CalWARN, and any other laws and regulations relating to employment, employment discrimination, and employmenttermination.  This release is not intended to and does not include a release of any claims which, by law, cannot be released. 
Wavier of Unknown Future Claims: You have  read Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, which provides asfollows:

A general release does not extend to claims with the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time ofexecuting the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.

You acknowledge that Section 1542 gives you the right not to release existing claims, of which you are not now aware, unlessyou voluntarily choose to waive this right.  Having been so apprised, you hereby voluntarily waive the rights described in Section 1542,and elect to assume all risks for claims that now exist in your favor known or unknown, arising from the subject matter of thisAgreement.
Confidentiality of Agreement: You agree that the existence, terms and conditions of this Agreement, including any and allreferences to any alleged underlying claims, are strictly confidential. You shall not disclose, discuss or reveal the existence or the termsof this Agreement to any persons, entities or organizations except to your spouse, attorney, financial advisor, or as required by courtorder.

- Savings Clause: Should any of the provisions of this Agreement be determined to be invalid by a court or government agency ofcompetent jurisdiction, it is agreed that such determination shall not affect the enforceability of the other provisions herein.  Californialaw shall govern the validity and interpretation of this Agreement.
Preparation of Agreement: Regardless of which party initially drafted this Agreement, it shall not be construed against any oneparty, and shall be construed and enforced as a mutually prepared Agreement.

Mandatory Arbitration Clause: You and Adaptec agree that any action to enforce the terms and conditions of this Agreement or forthe breach of this Agreement, shall be referred to final and binding arbitration.  Any arbitration proceeding will be governed by the rulesand procedures of the American Arbitration Association and the Federal Arbitration Act and the parties hereto expressly waive theirrights, if any, to have any such matters heard by a court or jury, or administrative agency whether federal or state.  The prevailing partyin any arbitration to enforce this Agreement or remedy its breach will be entitled to costs and reasonable attorney's feesincurred.

Complete and Voluntary Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered.You expressly warrant that you have read and fully understand this Agreement; that you have had the opportunity to seek legal counselof your own choosing and to have the terms of the Agreement fully explained to you that you are not executing this Agreement inreliance on any promises, representations or inducements other than those contained herein; and that you are executing this Releasevoluntarily, free of any duress or coercion.  In addition, by signing this Agreement, you are confirming the following:

(a)You have been provided until February 21, 2008 in which to consider whether or not to sign this Agreement, and that, having beenadvised of that entitlement; you may elect to sign this Agreement at any time prior to or on that date.
(b)You may revoke your acceptance of this Agreement within seven (7) calendar days of signing it with respect to claims arising underthe Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA Rescission Period").  To be effective, rescission must be in writing,delivered to Shirley Olerich, Adaptec Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd, M/S 15, Milpitas, CA 95035, within the ADEA Rescission Period, orsent to Adaptec, at such address, by certified mail, return receipt requested, postmarked within the ADEA Rescission Period and alsoby facsimile to Ms. Olerich before the close of the ADEA Rescission Period.
(c) 	The consideration provided to you in this Agreement is in addition to any consideration that you would otherwise be entitledto receive; and 

	(d)	You may submit any inquiries regarding the severance plan within one year of your separation from service, in writing,delivered to the Severance Plan Administrator, 691 South Milpitas Blvd, M/S 15, Milpitas, CA 95035 by certified mail, return receiptrequested, and postmarked within the applicable period.

Cancellation of Agreement By Adaptec: If you exercise your right of rescission under Section 8 (b) of this Agreement, Adaptec willhave the right to terminate this Agreement in its entirety.

If you choose to accept the terms of this Agreement, please sign on the line provided below and return the original in the enclosedself addressed envelope.

Sincerely,

/s/ Shirley Olerich
Shirley Olerich
VP of Human Resources
I have read and understand the Agreement above and agree to be bound by its terms andconditions.

Agreed:

Dated: February 1, 2008
BY:
   Stephen Terlizzi 
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/s/    Stephen Terlizzi  
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(Signature)