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                                                                   Exhibit 10.36


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

        THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 1, 1998, by and between SMART
MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a California corporation ("Borrower"), SMART MODULAR
TECHNOLOGIES (EUROPE) LIMITED, a private limited company incorporated in
England, ("Smart(Europe)"), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank").


                                     RECITAL

        Borrower has requested from Bank the credit accommodation described
below, and Bank has agreed to provide said credit accommodation to Borrower on
the terms and conditions contained herein.

        NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, Bank and Borrower hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                                   THE CREDIT

         SECTION 1.1.  LINE OF CREDIT.

        (a) Line of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Bank hereby agrees to make advances to Borrower from time to time up
to and including May 1, 1999, not to exceed at any time the aggregate principal
amount of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) ("Line of Credit"), the
proceeds of which shall be used for working capital purposes. Borrower's
obligation to repay advances under the Line of Credit shall be evidenced by a
promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto ("Line of
Credit Note"), all terms of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

        (b) Subfeature. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Bank hereby agrees to make advances to Smart(Europe) from time to time up to and
including May 1, 1999, not to exceed at any time the aggregate principal amount
of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) ("Subfeature"), the proceeds of which
shall be used for working capital purposes. Smart(Europe)'s obligation to repay
advances under the Subfeature shall be evidenced by a promissory note
substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto ("Smart (Europe) Note"),
all terms 


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of which are incorporated herein by this reference. The outstanding principal
balance of advances and the available undrawn balance of Letters of Credit
issued under the Subfeature shall be reserved under the Line of Credit and shall
not be available for advances or Letters of Credit thereunder.

        (c) Letter of Credit Subfeature. As a subfeature under the Line of
Credit and Subfeature, Bank agrees from time to time during the term thereof to
issue sight commercial and standby letters of credit for the account of Borrower
or Smart(Europe), respectively, to finance working capital and business
requirements (each, a "Letter of Credit" and collectively, "Letters of Credit");
provided however, that the form and substance of each Letter of Credit shall be
subject to approval by Bank, in its sole discretion; and provided further, that
the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at
any time exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00). No Letter of Credit shall
have an expiration date subsequent to the maturity date of the Line of Credit.
The undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit for the account of Borrower shall be
reserved under the Line of Credit and the undrawn amount of all Letters of
Credit for the account of Smart(Europe) shall be reserved under the Subfeature
and shall not be available for borrowings thereunder. Each Letter of Credit
shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit
Agreement and related documents, if any, required by Bank in connection with the
issuance thereof (each, a "Letter of Credit Agreement" and collectively, "Letter
of Credit Agreements"). Each draft paid by Bank under a Letter of Credit shall
be deemed an advance under the Line of Credit or Subfeature, as applicable, and
shall be repaid by Borrower or Smart(Europe), in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement applicable to such advances; provided however, that
if advances under the Line of Credit or Subfacility, as applicable, are not
available, for any reason, at the time any draft is paid by Bank, then Bank
shall so notify Borrower or Smart(Europe), as applicable, and Borrower or
Smart(Europe) shall immediately pay to Bank the full amount of such draft,
together with interest thereon from the date such amount is paid by Bank to the
date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower or Smart(Europe), at the rate of
interest applicable to advances under the Line of Credit. In such event Borrower
agrees that Bank, in its sole discretion, may debit any demand deposit account
maintained by Borrower with Bank for the amount of any such draft.



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        (d) Borrowing and Repayment. Borrower or Smart(Europe) may from time to
time during the terms of the Line of Credit and Subfeature, respectively borrow,
partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings, and reborrow, subject to
all of the limitations, terms and conditions contained herein or in the Line of
Credit Note and Smart(Europe) Note, respectively; provided however, that the
total outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit an Subfeature shall not at
any time exceed the respective maximum principals amount available thereunder,
as set forth above.

        SECTION 1.2.  INTEREST/FEES.

        (a) Interest. The outstanding principal balances of the Line of Credit
and Subfeature Note shall bear interest at the rates of interest set forth in
the Line of Credit Note and Subfeature Note, respectively (the "Notes").

        (b) Computation and Payment. Interest shall be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year, actual days elapsed. Interest shall be payable at the times and
place set forth in the Notes.

        (c) Unused Commitment Fee. Borrower shall pay to Bank a fee equal to
one-eighth percent (0.125%) per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year,
actual days elapsed) on the average daily unused amount of the Line of Credit,
which fee shall be calculated on a quarterly basis by Bank and shall be due and
payable by Borrower in arrears each September 30, December 31, March 31 and June
30.

        (d) Letter of Credit Fees. Borrower shall pay to Bank fees upon the
issuance of each Letter of Credit and fees upon the payment or negotiation by
Bank of each draft under any Letter of Credit and fees upon the occurrence of
any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit (including without
limitation, the transfer, amendment or cancellation of any Letter of Credit)
determined in accordance with Bank's standard fees and charges then in effect
for such activity.

        SECTION 1.3. COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS. Borrower authorizes Bank to collect
all interest and fees due under the Line of Credit (including the Subfeature) by
charging Borrower's demand deposit account number 4439-817214 with Bank, or any
other demand deposit account maintained by Borrower with Bank, for the full
amount thereof. Should there be insufficient funds in any such demand deposit
account to pay all such sums when due, the full amount of such deficiency shall
be immediately due and payable by 



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Borrower upon notice, provided however failure
by Bank to provide such notice shall not relieve Borrower of liability for
amounts then due.

        SECTION 1.4. GUARANTIES. All indebtedness of Smart(Europe) to Bank shall
be guaranteed by Borrower in the principal amount of Ten Million Dollars
($10,000,000.00), as evidenced by and subject to the terms of a guaranty in form
and substance satisfactory to Bank.


                                   ARTICLE II
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

        Borrower and Smart(Europe) makes the following representations and
warranties to Bank, which representations and warranties shall survive the
execution of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until
the full and final payment, and satisfaction and discharge, of all obligations
of Borrower and Smart(Europe) to Bank subject to this Agreement.

        SECTION 2.1. LEGAL STATUS. Borrower is a corporation, duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of California, and
Smart(Europe) is a corporation, duly organized and existing and in good standing
under the laws of the United Kingdom, and each is qualified or licensed to do
business (and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, if applicable) in
all jurisdictions in which such qualification or licensing is required or in
which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed could reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Borrower and Smart(Europe), taken
as a whole.

        SECTION 2.2. AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY. This Agreement, the Notes, and
each other document, contract and instrument required hereby or at any time
hereafter delivered to Bank in connection herewith (collectively, the "Loan
Documents") have been duly authorized, and upon their execution and delivery in
accordance with the provisions hereof will constitute legal, valid and binding
agreements and obligations of Borrower or Smart(Europe), as applicable,
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

        SECTION 2.3. NO VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and performance by
Borrower and Smart(Europe) of the Loan Documents do not violate any provision of
any law or regulation in any material respect, or contravene any provision of
the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of Borrower, or the Articles of



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Incorporation of Smart(Europe), or result in any breach of or default in any
material respect under any material contract, obligation, indenture or other
instrument to which Borrower or Smart(Europe) is a party or by which Borrower or
Smart(Europe) may be bound.

        SECTION 2.4. LITIGATION. There are no pending, or to the best of
Borrower's or Smart(Europe)'s knowledge, threatened, actions, claims,
investigations, suits or proceedings by or before any governmental authority,
arbitrator, court or administrative agency which could reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operation of
Borrower and Smart(Europe), taken as a whole, other than those disclosed by
Borrower or Smart(Europe) to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof.

        SECTION 2.5. CORRECTNESS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The consolidated
financial statement of Borrower dated October 31, 1997, a true copy of which has
been delivered by Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) is complete and
correct and presents fairly the consolidated financial condition of Borrower as
of that date and for the period then ended, (b) discloses all liabilities of
Borrower or Smart(Europe) that are required to be reflected or reserved against
under generally accepted accounting principles, whether liquidated or
unliquidated, fixed or contingent, and (c) has been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Since the date of
such financial statement there has been no material adverse change in the
financial condition of Borrower and Smart(Europe), taken as a whole, nor has
Borrower or Smart(Europe) mortgaged, pledged, granted a security interest in or
otherwise encumbered any of their assets or properties except in favor of Bank
or as permitted in Section 5.6 heretofore otherwise permitted by Bank in
writing.

        SECTION 2.6. INCOME TAX RETURNS. Neither Borrower nor Smart(Europe) has
any knowledge of any pending assessments or adjustments of its income tax
payable with respect to any year.

        SECTION 2.7. NO SUBORDINATION. There is no agreement, indenture,
contract or instrument to which Borrower or Smart(Europe) is a party or by which
Borrower or Smart(Europe) may be bound that requires the subordination in right
of payment of any of Borrower's or Smart(Europe)'s obligations subject to this
Agreement to any other obligation of Borrower or Smart(Europe).


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        SECTION 2.8. PERMITS, FRANCHISES. Each of Borrower and Smart(Europe)
possesses, and will hereafter possess, all permits, consents, approvals,
franchises and licenses required and rights to all trademarks, trade names,
patents, and fictitious names, if any, necessary to enable it to conduct the
business in which it is now engaged in compliance with applicable law, except if
failure to possess the same could not be reasonably expected to have a material
adverse affect on Borrower and Smart(Europe), taken as a whole.

        SECTION 2.9. ERISA. To the extent applicable, Borrower is in compliance
in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended or recodified from time to
time ("ERISA"); Borrower has not violated any provision of any defined employee
pension benefit plan (as defined in ERISA) maintained or contributed to by
Borrower (each, a "Plan"); no Reportable Event as defined in ERISA has occurred
and is continuing with respect to any Plan initiated by Borrower; Borrower has
met its minimum funding requirements under ERISA with respect to each Plan; and
each Plan will be able to fulfill its benefit obligations as they come due in
accordance with the Plan documents and under generally accepted accounting
principles.

        SECTION 2.10. OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Neither Borrower nor Smart(Europe) is
in default of any monetary or other material obligation on any obligation for
borrowed money, any purchase money obligation in a principal amount in excess of
$2,500,000.00 or any other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or
obligation.

        SECTION 2.11. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed by Borrower to
Bank in writing prior to the date hereof, to the best of Borrower's knowledge,
based on reasonable due diligence, each of Borrower and Smart(Europe) is in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal or state
environmental, hazardous waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or
regulations adopted pursuant thereto, which govern or affect any of their
respective operations and/or properties, including without limitation, with
respect to Borrower, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986,
the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, and the Federal
Toxic Substances Control Act, as any of the same may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time. To the best of Borrower's knowledge, based on
reasonable due diligence, none of the operations of Borrower or Smart(Europe) is




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the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any
remedial action involving a material expenditure is needed to respond to a
release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.
Neither Borrower nor Smart(Europe) has any material contingent liability in
connection with any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into
the environment.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                   CONDITIONS

        SECTION 3.1. CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation
of Bank to extend any credit contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the
fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

        (a) Approval of Bank Counsel. All legal matters incidental to the
extension of credit by Bank shall be satisfactory to Bank's counsel.

        (b) Documentation. Bank shall have received, in form and substance
satisfactory to Bank, each of the following, duly executed:

      (i)      This Agreement and the Notes.

     (ii)      Corporate Resolutions.

    (iii)      Legal opinion.

     (iv)      Guaranty.

      (v)      Such other documents as Bank may reasonably require under any
               other Section of this Agreement.

        (c) Financial Condition. There shall have been no material adverse
change, as determined by Bank, in the financial condition or business of
Borrower and Smart(Europe), taken as a whole.

        SECTION 3.2. CONDITIONS OF EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of
Bank to make each extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be
subject to the fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of each of the following
conditions:

        (a) Compliance. The representations and warranties contained herein and
in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true in all material respects on
and as of the date of the signing of this Agreement and on the date of each
extension of credit by Bank pursuant hereto (except to the extent they expressly
relate to an earlier date), with the same effect as though such representations
and warranties had been made on and 



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as of each such date, and on each such date, no Event of Default as defined
herein, and no condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing or shall exist.

        (b) Documentation. Bank shall have received all additional documents
which may be reasonably required in connection with such extension of credit.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

        Borrower or Smart(Europe) covenant that so long as Bank remains
committed to extend credit to Borrower or Smart(Europe) pursuant hereto, or any
liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of
Borrower or Smart(Europe) to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain
outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower or
Smart(Europe) subject hereto, Borrower and Smart(Europe) shall, unless Bank
otherwise consents in writing:

        SECTION 4.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENTS. Punctually pay all principal, interest,
fees or other liabilities due under any of the Loan Documents at the times and
place and in the manner specified therein, and immediately upon demand by Bank,
the amount by which the outstanding principal balance of the Line of Credit at
any time exceeds any limitation on borrowings applicable thereto.

        SECTION 4.2. ACCOUNTING RECORDS. Maintain adequate books and records in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
(subject in the case of Smart(Europe), to such accounting principles as are
necessary to comply with the law or accepted practice in the United Kingdom),
and permit any representative of Bank, at any reasonable time (and, if no Event
of Default exists, upon reasonable notice), to inspect, audit and examine such
books and records, to make copies of the same, and to inspect the properties of
Borrower or Smart(Europe).

        SECTION 4.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Provide to Bank all of the following,
in form and detail satisfactory to Bank:

        (a) not later than 90 days after and as of the end of each fiscal year,
Borrower's 10K report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC");



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        (b) not later than 45 days after and as of the end of each fiscal
quarter, a consolidated financial statement of Borrower, prepared by Borrower,
to include balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows (which
may be in the form of Borrower's 10Q filed with the SEC);

        (c) not later than 5 days after filing with the SEC, copies of all 8K
reports, proxy statements, registration statements and all other documents filed
with the SEC;

        (d) contemporaneously with each annual and quarterly financial statement
of Borrower required hereby, a certificate of the president or chief financial
officer of Borrower that said financial statements are accurate and that there
exists no Event of Default nor any condition, act or event which with the giving
of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default;

        (e) from time to time such other information as Bank may reasonably
request.

        SECTION 4.4. COMPLIANCE. Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits,
governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the
conduct of their businesses; and in all material respects comply with the
provisions of all documents pursuant to which Borrower and Smart(Europe) are
organized and/or which govern their continued existence and with the
requirements of all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental
authority applicable to Borrower and/or their businesses, except those, which if
not complied with, could not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse
affect on Borrower and Smart (Europe) taken as a whole.

        SECTION 4.5. INSURANCE. Maintain and keep in force insurance of the
types and in amounts customarily carried in lines of business similar to that of
Borrower and Smart(Europe), including but not limited to fire, extended
coverage, public liability, property damage and workers' compensation, with all
such insurance carried with companies and in amounts reasonably satisfactory to
Bank, and deliver to Bank from time to time at Bank's request schedules setting
forth all insurance then in effect.

        SECTION 4.6. FACILITIES. Keep all properties useful or necessary to
their businesses in good repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted,
and from time to time make necessary repairs, renewals and replacements thereto
so that such 



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properties shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained.

        SECTION 4.7. TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES. Pay and discharge when due any
and all indebtedness, obligations, assessments and taxes, both real or personal,
including without limitation federal and state income taxes and state and local
property taxes and assessments, except such (a) as may in good faith be
contested or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise, and (b) for which
provision has been made, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied, for eventual payment thereof in the event
Borrower or Smart(Europe) is obligated to make such payment.

        SECTION 4.8. LITIGATION. Promptly give notice in writing to Bank of any
litigation pending or threatened against Borrower or Smart(Europe) with a claim
in excess of $2,500,000.00.

        SECTION 4.9. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Maintain Borrower's consolidated
financial condition as follows using generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied and used consistently with prior practices (except to the
extent modified by the definitions herein):

        (a) Tangible Net Worth not less than $230,000,000.00 as of October 31,
1997, plus, thereafter, on a cumulative basis, an amount equal to 80% of net
income after taxes (with no deduction for losses) and 100% of proceeds of new
equity (less reasonable and customary costs of issuance) since October 31, 1997,
determined as of each fiscal quarter end, with "Tangible Net Worth" defined as
the aggregate of total stockholders' equity plus subordinated debt less any
intangible assets.

        (b) Total Liabilities divided by Tangible Net Worth not at any time
greater than 1.0 to 1.0 determined as of each fiscal quarter end, with "Total
Liabilities" defined as the aggregate of current liabilities and non-current
liabilities less subordinated debt, and with "Tangible Net Worth" as defined
above.

        (c) Quick Ratio not at any time less than 1.0 to 1.0 determined as of
each fiscal quarter end, with "Quick Ratio" defined as the aggregate of
unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, unrestricted marketable securities and
receivables convertible into cash divided by total current liabilities.

        (d) Net income after taxes not less than $1.00 on an annual basis,
determined as of each fiscal year end, and pre-tax profit 



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not less than $1.00 in each fiscal quarter following any fiscal quarter in which
a pre-tax loss was incurred.

        SECTION 4.10. NOTICE TO BANK. Promptly (but in no event more than five
(5) days after the occurrence of each such event or matter) give written notice
to Bank in reasonable detail of: (a) the occurrence of any Event of Default, or
any condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of
time or both would constitute an Event of Default; (b) any change in the name or
the organizational structure of Borrower or Smart(Europe); (c) the occurrence
and nature of any Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, each as defined in
ERISA, or any funding deficiency with respect to any Plan; or (d) any
termination or cancellation of any insurance policy which Borrower is required
to maintain, or any uninsured or partially uninsured loss through liability or
property damage, or through fire, theft or any other cause affecting Borrower's
property in excess of an aggregate of $1,500,000.00.

        SECTION 4.11. YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE. Perform all acts reasonably
necessary to ensure that (a) Borrower and any business in which Borrower holds a
substantial interest, and (b) all customers, suppliers and vendors that are
material to Borrower's business, become Year 2000 Compliant in a timely manner.
Such acts shall include, without limitation, performing a comprehensive review
and assessment of all of Borrower's systems and adopting a detailed plan, with
itemized budget, for the remediation, monitoring and testing of such systems. As
used herein, "Year 2000 Compliant" shall mean, in regard to any entity, that all
software, hardware, firmware, equipment, goods or systems utilized by or
material to the business operations or financial condition of such entity, will
properly perform date sensitive functions before, during and after the year
2000. Borrower shall, immediately upon request, provide to Bank such
certifications or other evidence of Borrower's compliance with the terms hereof
as Bank may from time to time require.


                                    ARTICLE V
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

        Borrower or Smart(Europe) further covenant that so long as Bank remains
committed to extend credit to Borrower or Smart(Europe) pursuant hereto, or any
liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of
Borrower or Smart(Europe) to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain
outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of 



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Borrower and Smart(Europe) subject hereto, neither Borrower nor Smart(Europe)
will without Bank's prior written consent:

        SECTION 5.1. USE OF FUNDS. Use any of the proceeds of any credit
extended hereunder except for the purposes stated in Article I hereof.

        SECTION 5.2. OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any indebtedness or liabilities resulting from borrowings, loans or
advances, whether secured or unsecured, matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, joint or several, except (a) the liabilities of Borrower and
Smart(Europe) to Bank, and (b) any other liabilities of Borrower or
Smart(Europe) existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof,
(c) to the extent not included in clause (b), indebtedness incurred in the
ordinary course of business for the purpose of purchasing inventory, equipment
and/or real estate not to exceed $8,000,000.00 outstanding at any time, and (d)
subordinated indebtedness pursuant to subordination agreements in form and
content acceptable to Bank; and (e) extensions, modifications, refinancings and
refundings of the foregoing, so long as the maximum principal amount is not
increased.

        SECTION 5.3. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS. Merge into or
consolidate with any other entity unless (i) at least 90% of the consideration
paid by Borrower and/or Smart(Europe) consists of equity securities in Borrower,
subject to the terms of last sentence of this Section, (ii) Borrower or
Smart(Europe), as applicable, is the surviving entity (provided that in no event
shall Borrower be merged into or consolidated with Smart(Europe) unless Borrower
is the surviving entity), and (iii) no violation of this Agreement exists at the
time of or would exist after such merger or consolidation; make any substantial
change in the nature of Borrower's business as conducted as of the date hereof;
acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any other entity except to the
extent set forth in the last sentence of this Section; nor sell, lease, transfer
or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial or material portion of Borrower's
assets except in the ordinary course of its business. Borrower shall not pay
more than an aggregate of $40,000,000.00 per fiscal year (in addition to payment
in the form of its equity securities) for all mergers with and acquisitions of
stock and/or all or substantially all of the assets of other entities in such
fiscal year.



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        SECTION 5.4. GUARANTIES. Guarantee or become liable in any way as
surety, endorser (other than as endorser of negotiable instruments for deposit
or collection in the ordinary course of business), accommodation endorser or
otherwise for, nor pledge or hypothecate any assets of Borrower as security for,
any liabilities or obligations of any other person or entity, except any of the
foregoing in favor of Bank, guaranties by Borrower of Smart(Europe)'s trade debt
incurred in the ordinary course of business, and guaranties existing in and
disclosed in writing to Bank prior to the date hereof.

        SECTION 5.5. LOANS, ADVANCES, INVESTMENTS. Make any loans or advances to
or investments in any person or entity, except (a) any of the foregoing existing
as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof, (b) additional loans or
advances to Smart(Europe) in amounts not to exceed an aggregate of
$12,000,000.00 outstanding at any one time, (c) loans to employees for travel
advances, relocation loans and other loans in the ordinary course of business,
(d) investments in accordance with Borrower's investment policy, as in effect
from time to time, (e) existing investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures
which have been disclosed to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof, and (f)
loans to employees, officers, directors to finance or refinance the purchase of
equity securities of Borrower.

        SECTION 5.6. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS. Declare or pay any dividend or
distribution either in cash, stock or any other property on Borrower's stock now
or hereafter outstanding.

        SECTION 5.7. PLEDGE OF ASSETS. Mortgage, pledge, grant or permit to
exist a security interest in, or lien upon, all or any portion of Borrower's or
Smart(Europe)'s assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except (a) purchase
money security interests in real property inventory and equipment securing
indebtedness permitted under Sections 5.2(b) and (c), (b) any of the foregoing
in favor of Bank, (c) liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges
which are not due and which remain payable without penalty or which are being
contested in good faith, provided that adequate reserves therefor have been
established, which reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied, (d) liens in connection with insurance or
compensation funds, pensions, social security obligations, bids, tender, leases,
statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds and other liens arising in the
ordinary course of Borrower's or Smart(Europe)'s business, including mechanics
and materialman's which do not adversely affect Borrower's or 



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Smart(Europe)'s business operations, (e) liens reflected in Borrower's and
Smart(Europe)'s financial statements dated October 31, 1996, previously
submitted to Bank, (f) liens (otherwise permitted in this Section) on assets
that existed at the time such assets were acquired by Borrower or any of its
subsidiaries, (g) liens on deposit accounts in the nature of set off rights,
banker's liens or other customary rights, and (h) liens of the type referred to
in Section 6.1(e) that do not exceed an aggregate of $2,500,000.00.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

        SECTION 6.1. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an
"Event of Default" under this Agreement:

        (a) Borrower or Smart(Europe) shall fail to pay when due any principal,
or within 5 days after the due date, any interest, fees or other amounts payable
under any of the Loan Documents.

        (b) Any financial statement or certificate furnished to Bank in
connection with, or any representation or warranty made by Borrower or any other
party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be
incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when furnished or made.

        (c) Any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation,
agreement or other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document
(other than those referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above), and with
respect to any such default which by its nature can be cured, such default shall
continue for a period of thirty (30) days from its occurrence.

        (d) Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any
defined event of default, under the terms of any contract or instrument (other
than any of the Loan Documents) pursuant to which Borrower or Smart(Europe) has
incurred any debt or other liability in the principal amount of $2,500,000.00 or
more to any person or entity, including Bank.

        (e) The filing of a notice of judgment lien against Borrower or
Smart(Europe); or the recording of any abstract of judgment against Borrower or
Smart(Europe) in any county in which Borrower or Smart(Europe) has an interest
in real property; or the service of a notice of levy and/or of a writ of
attachment or execution, or other like process, against the assets of Borrower
or Smart(Europe); or the entry of a judgment against Borrower or 




                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15

Smart(Europe); in each case involving $2,500,000.00 or more (and for all cases
involving $5,000,000.00 or more) and the enforcement thereof is not dismissed
stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days after its (their) occurrence,
provided that Bank shall not be required to make advances during such 60 day
period.

        (f) Borrower or Smart(Europe) shall become insolvent, or shall suffer or
consent to or apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or
liquidator of itself or any of its property, or shall generally fail to pay its
debts as they become due, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; Borrower or Smart(Europe) shall file a voluntary petition in
bankruptcy, or seeking reorganization, in order to effect a plan or other
arrangement with creditors or any other relief under the Bankruptcy Reform Act,
Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended or recodified from time to time
("Bankruptcy Code"), or under any state or federal law granting relief to
debtors, whether now or hereafter in effect; or any involuntary petition or
proceeding pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or
federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors
is filed or commenced against Borrower or Smart(Europe) (and such involuntary
petition or proceeding is not dismissed within 60 days after its filing provided
that Bank shall not be obligated to make advances during such 60 day period), or
Borrower or Smart(Europe) shall file an answer admitting the jurisdiction of the
court and the material allegations of any involuntary petition; or Borrower or
Smart(Europe) shall be adjudicated a bankrupt, or an order for relief shall be
entered against Borrower or Smart(Europe) by any court of competent jurisdiction
under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or federal law relating
to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors.

        (g) Borrower shall cease its normal operations for a period in excess 5
business days, other than by reason of weekends, customary holidays or regularly
scheduled vacation periods.

        (h) The dissolution or liquidation of Borrower or Smart(Europe); or
Borrower or Smart(Europe), or any of its directors, stockholders or members,
shall take action seeking to effect the dissolution or liquidation of Borrower
or Smart(Europe).

        SECTION 6.2. REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default: (a)
all indebtedness of Borrower and Smart(Europe) 



                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16

under each of the Loan Documents, any term thereof to the contrary
notwithstanding, shall at Bank's option and without notice become immediately
due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of dishonor, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower; (b) the obligation, if
any, of Bank to extend any further credit under any of the Loan Documents shall
immediately cease and terminate; and (c) Bank shall have all rights, powers and
remedies available under each of the Loan Documents, or accorded by law,
including without limitation the right to resort to any or all security for any
credit accommodation from Bank subject hereto and to exercise any or all of the
rights of a beneficiary or secured party pursuant to applicable law. All rights,
powers and remedies of Bank may be exercised at any time by Bank and from time
to time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, are cumulative and not
exclusive, and shall be in addition to any other rights, powers or remedies
provided by law or equity.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        SECTION 7.1. NO WAIVER. No delay, failure or discontinuance of Bank in
exercising any right, power or remedy under any of the Loan Documents shall
affect or operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude, waive or
otherwise affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or remedy. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any
kind by Bank of any breach of or default under any of the Loan Documents must be
in writing and shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing.

        SECTION 7.2. NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands which any party
is required or may desire to give to any other party under any provision of this
Agreement must be in writing delivered to each party at the following address:

        BORROWER:      SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                       4305 Cushing Parkway
                       Fremont, CA 94538
                       Attn:  David Mullin, CFO



                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17

Smart(Europe):  SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (EUROPE) LIMITED
                c/o SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                4305 Cushing Parkway
                Fremont, CA 94538
                Attn:  David Mullin, CFO

        BANK:   WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                Santa Clara Valley Regional
                  Commercial Banking Office
                121 Park Center Plaza
                San Jose, CA 95113
                Attn: Karen Barone, Vice President

or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to all
other parties. Each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given or
made as follows: (a) if sent by hand delivery, upon delivery; (b) if sent by
mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3) days after deposit in
the U.S. mail, first class and postage prepaid; and (c) if sent by telecopy,
upon receipt.

        SECTION 7.3. COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. Borrower and
Smart(Europe) shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all
payments, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
fees (to include outside counsel fees and all allocated costs of Bank's in-house
counsel) (collectively "Costs and Expenses"), expended or incurred by Bank in
connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, Bank's continued administration hereof and thereof, and the
preparation of any amendments and waivers hereto and thereto. The non-prevailing
party shall pay to the prevailing party the latter's Costs and Expenses incurred
in (a) the enforcement of rights and/or the collection of any amounts which
become due to Bank under any of the Loan Documents, and (b) the prosecution or
defense of any action in any way related to any of the Loan Documents, including
without limitation, any action for declaratory relief, whether incurred at the
trial or appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding or otherwise, and
including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any bankruptcy
proceeding (including without limitation, any adversary proceeding, contested
matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to any Borrower,
Smart(Europe), or any other person or entity. This provision is in furtherance
of the provision regarding the same in the letter dated March 21, 1996 between
Borrower and Bank.



                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18

        SECTION 7.4. SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the parties; provided however, that
neither Borrower nor Smart(Europe) may assign or transfer its interest hereunder
without Bank's prior written consent. Bank reserves the right, upon 90 days
notice to Borrower, to sell, assign, transfer, negotiate or grant participations
in all or any part of, or any interest in, Bank's rights and benefits under each
of the Loan Documents, provided that Borrower shall not be required to
communicate directly with any such participant. In connection therewith, Bank
may disclose all documents and information which Bank now has or may hereafter
acquire relating to any credit extended by Bank to Borrower, Smart(Europe) or
their business, subject to the terms of a Confidentiality Agreement reasonably
acceptable to all parties.

        SECTION 7.5. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement and the other
Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement between Borrower, Smart(Europe)
and Bank with respect to any extension of credit by Bank subject hereto and
supersede all prior negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence
concerning the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended or modified
only in writing signed by each party hereto.

        SECTION 7.6. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is made and
entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other person or entity shall
be a third party beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action
or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any other of the Loan Documents
to which it is not a party.

        SECTION 7.7. TIME. Time is of the essence of each and every provision of
this Agreement and each other of the Loan Documents.

        SECTION 7.8. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity
without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions
of this Agreement.

        SECTION 7.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which when executed and 



                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19

delivered shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which when taken
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

        SECTION 7.10. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

        SECTION 7.11.  ARBITRATION.

        (a) Arbitration. Upon the demand of any party, any Dispute shall be
resolved by binding arbitration (except as set forth in (e) below) in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement. A "Dispute" shall mean any action, dispute,
claim or controversy of any kind, whether in contract or tort, statutory or
common law, legal or equitable, now existing or hereafter arising under or in
connection with, or in any way pertaining to, any of the Loan Documents, or any
past, present or future extensions of credit and other activities, transactions
or obligations of any kind related directly or indirectly to any of the Loan
Documents, including without limitation, any of the foregoing arising in
connection with the exercise of any self-help, ancillary or other remedies
pursuant to any of the Loan Documents. Any party may by summary proceedings
bring an action in court to compel arbitration of a Dispute. Any party who fails
or refuses to submit to arbitration following a lawful demand by any other party
shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling
arbitration of any Dispute.

        (b) Governing Rules. Arbitration proceedings shall be administered by
the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or such other administrator as the
parties shall mutually agree upon in accordance with the AAA Commercial
Arbitration Rules. All Disputes submitted to arbitration shall be resolved in
accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code),
notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the Loan
Documents. The arbitration shall be conducted at a location in California
selected by the AAA or other administrator. If there is any inconsistency
between the terms hereof and any such rules, the terms and procedures set forth
herein shall control. All statutes of limitation applicable to any Dispute shall
apply to any arbitration proceeding. All discovery activities shall be expressly
limited to matters directly relevant to the Dispute being arbitrated. Judgment
upon any award rendered in an arbitration may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction; provided however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to
be a waiver by any party that is a bank 



                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20

of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. Section91 or any similar
applicable state law.

        (c) No Waiver; Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure. No
provision hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self-help
remedies such as setoff, foreclosure against or sale of any real or personal
property collateral or security, or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies,
including without limitation injunctive relief, sequestration, attachment,
garnishment or the appointment of a receiver, from a court of competent
jurisdiction before, after or during the pendency of any arbitration or other
proceeding. The exercise of any such remedy shall not waive the right of any
party to compel arbitration or reference hereunder.

        (d) Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers; Awards. Arbitrators must be
active members of the California State Bar or retired judges of the state or
federal judiciary of California, with expertise in the substantive laws
applicable to the subject matter of the Dispute. Arbitrators are empowered to
resolve Disputes by summary rulings in response to motions filed prior to the
final arbitration hearing. Arbitrators (i) shall resolve all Disputes in
accordance with the substantive law of the state of California, (ii) may grant
any remedy or relief that a court of the state of California could order or
grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make
effective any award, and (iii) shall have the power to award recovery of all
costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other actions as they deem
necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, the California Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable
law. Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000 or less shall
be decided by a single arbitrator who shall not render an award of greater than
$5,000,000 (including damages, costs, fees and expenses). By submission to a
single arbitrator, each party expressly waives any right or claim to recover
more than $5,000,000. Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds
$5,000,000 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators;
provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all
hearings and deliberations.

        (e) Judicial Review. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in
any arbitration in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000,000, the
arbitrators shall be required to make specific, written findings of fact and
conclusions of law. In such arbitrations (i) the arbitrators 



                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21

shall not have the power to make any award which is not supported by substantial
evidence or which is based on legal error, (ii) an award shall not be binding
upon the parties unless the findings of fact are supported by substantial
evidence and the conclusions of law are not erroneous under the substantive law
of the state of California, and (iii) the parties shall have in addition to the
grounds referred to in the Federal Arbitration Act for vacating, modifying or
correcting an award the right to judicial review of (A) whether the findings of
fact rendered by the arbitrators are supported by substantial evidence, and (B)
whether the conclusions of law are erroneous under the substantive law of the
state of California. Judgment confirming an award in such a proceeding may be
entered only if a court determines the award is supported by substantial
evidence and not based on legal error under the substantive law of the state of
California.

        (f) Real Property Collateral; Judicial Reference. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, no Dispute shall be submitted to arbitration if
the Dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in
part, by any real property unless (i) the holder of the mortgage, lien or
security interest specifically elects in writing to proceed with the
arbitration, or (ii) all parties to the arbitration waive any rights or benefits
that might accrue to them by virtue of the single action rule statute of
California, thereby agreeing that all indebtedness and obligations of the
parties, and all mortgages, liens and security interests securing such
indebtedness and obligations, shall remain fully valid and enforceable. If any
such Dispute is not submitted to arbitration, the Dispute shall be referred to a
referee in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 et
seq., and this general reference agreement is intended to be specifically
enforceable in accordance with said Section 638. A referee with the
qualifications required herein for arbitrators shall be selected pursuant to the
AAA's selection procedures. Judgment upon the decision rendered by a referee
shall be entered in the court in which such proceeding was commenced in
accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 644 and 645.

        (g) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the
arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any
arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the Dispute with the
AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the
existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by
a party required in the ordinary course of its 



                                      -21-
<PAGE>   22

business, by applicable law or regulation, or to the extent necessary to
exercise any judicial review rights set forth herein. If more than one agreement
for arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a Dispute, the
arbitration provision most directly related to the Loan Documents or the subject
matter of the Dispute shall control. This arbitration provision shall survive
termination, amendment or expiration of any of the Loan Documents or any
relationship between the parties.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first written above.


                                                   WELLS FARGO BANK,
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.                   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


By: ______________________                         By: _______________________

Title: ___________________                         Title: ____________________

By: ______________________

Title: ___________________


SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (EUROPE) LIMITED


By: ______________________

Title: ___________________

By: ______________________

Title: ___________________


                                      -22-