Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 4(b)

          Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders
          ---------------------------------------------------

       Excerpts from Pinnacle Data Systems, Inc.'s Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation, as amended:

     FOURTH:  The maximum number of shares which the Corporation is authorized
     to have outstanding is fourteen million (14,000,000), which shall be
     divided into two classes consisting of ten million (10,000,000) common
     shares, without par value ("Common Shares"), and four million (4,000,000)
     preferred shares, without par value ("Preferred Shares"). The express terms
     of the shares of each class are as follows:

          (a) Common Shares. The Common Shares shall be subject to the terms of
     the Preferred Shares and the express terms of any series thereof. Each of
     the Common Shares shall be equal to each of the other Common Shares, and
     the holders thereof shall be entitled to one vote for each of the Common
     Shares on all questions presented to the holders of the Common Shares.
     Subject to any rights to receive dividends to which the holders of the
     Preferred Shares outstanding may be entitled, if any, the holders of the
     Common Shares shall be entitled to receive dividends only when and as
     declared from time to time by the board of directors in amounts not
     exceeding those permitted by the laws of the State of Ohio.

          (b) Preferred Shares. Preferred Shares may be issued from time to time
     in one or more series. Preferred Shares shall be of equal rank and shall be
     identical, except in respect of the matters that may be fixed by the board
     of directors as hereinafter provided, and each of the shares of each of the
     series shall be identical with all other shares of such series. Subject to
     the provisions of this paragraph (b), which provisions shall apply to all
     of the Preferred Shares, the board of directors hereby is authorized to
     cause such shares to be issued in one or more series and with respect to
     each such series prior to the issuance thereof to fix:

               (1)  the designation of the series, which series may be
          designated by number, letter, or title;

               (2)  the number of shares of the series, which number the board
          of directors may from time to time (except where otherwise provided in
          the creation of the series) increase or decrease (but not below the
          number of shares thereof then outstanding);

               (3)  dividend or distribution rights, which may be cumulative or
          noncumulative; at a specified rate, amount, or proportion; with or
          without further participation rights; and in preference to, junior to,
          or on a parity in whole or in part with dividend or distribution
          rights of shares of any other class;

               (4)  liquidation rights, preferences and prices;

               (5)  redemption rights and price;

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               (6)  sinking fund requirements, which may require the Corporation
          to provide a sinking fund out of earnings or otherwise for the
          purchase or redemption of the shares or for dividends or distributions
          on them;

               (7)  voting rights, which may be full, limited or denied, except
          as otherwise required by law;

               (8)  preemptive rights, or the denial or limitation of them;

               (9)  conversion rights;

               (10) restrictions on the issuance of shares;

               (11) rights of alteration of express terms; and

               (12) such other terms as the board of directors may by law from
          time to time be permitted to fix or change.

          The board of directors is authorized to adopt from time to time
     amendments to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation fixing or
     changing, with respect to each such series, the matters described in the
     preceding clauses (1) to (12) of this paragraph (b).

     SEVENTH: No holder of shares of the Corporation of any class shall be
     entitled as such, as a matter of right, to subscribe for or purchase shares
     of any class, now or hereafter authorized, or to subscribe for or to
     purchase securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of the
     Corporation, or to which shall be attached or appertain any warrants or
     rights entitling the holder thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares,
     except such rights of subscription or purchase if any, for such
     considerations and upon such terms and conditions as its board of directors
     from time to time may determine.

     EIGHTH:  No amendment to these Articles of Incorporation or the Code of
     Regulations of the Corporation shall amend, alter, change or repeal the
     application of Section 1701.831, Ohio Revised Code, or any other similar or
     like control share acquisition statute now or hereafter in effect in the
     State of Ohio unless approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares
     entitling them to exercise at least two-thirds of the voting power of the
     Corporation on such proposal; provided, however, that such two-thirds
     voting requirement shall not be applicable if the Corporation's Board of
     Directors shall have approved such amendment by a resolution adopted by at
     least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors, in which case
     such amendment may be approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares
     entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the
     Corporation on such proposal.

     NINTH:   No holder of shares of the Corporation of any class shall have the
     right to cumulate his voting power in the election of directors of the
     Corporation and the right to cumulative voting described in Section
     1701.55, Ohio Revised Code,

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     is hereby specifically denied to the holders of the shares of any class of
     the Corporation.

     TENTH:  Notwithstanding any provision of the Ohio Revised Code, (S)(S)
     1701.01 to 1701.98, inclusive, now or hereafter in force, requiring for the
     authorization or taking of any action the vote or consent of the holders of
     shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds or any other proportion of the
     voting power of the Corporation or of any class or classes of shares
     thereof, such action, unless otherwise expressly required by law or these
     Articles of Incorporation, shall be authorized or taken by the vote or
     consent of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise at least 75% of
     the voting power of the Corporation or of such class or classes of shares
     thereof; provided, however, that such 75% voting requirement shall not be
     applicable if the Corporation's Board of Directors shall have approved such
     action by a resolution adopted by at least two-thirds of the members of the
     Board of Directors, in which case such action may be approved by the
     affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a
     majority of the voting power of the Corporation or of such class or classes
     thereof.

                                       3
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      Excerpts from Pinnacle Data Systems, Inc.'s Amended and Restated Code of
Regulations, as amended:

                                   ARTICLE 1

                            Meetings of Shareholders
                            ------------------------

     Section 1.1 ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the
     purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may
     come before the meeting, shall be held on such date and at such time during
     the first six months of each fiscal year of the Company as may be fixed by
     the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

     Section 1.2 SPECIAL MEETINGS. A special meeting of the shareholders may be
     called by the chairman of the board, or the president, or a majority of the
     directors acting with or without a meeting, or the holders of shares
     entitling them to exercise 25% of the voting power of the Company entitled
     to be voted at the meeting. Upon delivery to the chairman, president, or
     secretary of a request in writing for a special meeting of the shareholders
     by any persons entitled to call such meeting, the officer to whom the
     request is delivered shall give notice to the shareholders of such meeting.
     Any such request shall specify the purposes and the date and hour for such
     meeting. The date shall be at least 14 and not more than 65 days after
     delivery of the request. If such officer does not call the meeting within
     five days after any such request, the persons making the request may call
     the meeting by giving notice as provided in Section 1.4 or by causing it to
     be given by their designated representative.

     Section 1.3 PLACE OF MEETINGS. All meetings of shareholders shall be held
     at such place or places, within or without the State of Ohio, as may be
     fixed by the board of directors or, if not so fixed, as shall be specified
     in the notice of the meeting.

     Section 1.4 NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Every shareholder shall furnish the
     secretary of the Company with an address at which notices of meetings and
     all other corporate notices may be served on or mailed to him. Except as
     otherwise expressly required by law, notice of each shareholders' meeting,
     whether annual or special, shall, not more than 60 days and at least 7 days
     before the date specified for the meeting, be given by the chairman,
     president, or secretary or, in case of their refusal or failure to do so,
     by the person or persons entitled to call such meeting, to each shareholder
     entitled to notice of the meeting, by delivering a written or printed
     notice to him personally or by mailing the notice in a postage-prepaid
     envelope addressed to him at his address furnished by him as above
     provided, or, if he shall not have furnished such address, at his post
     office address last known to the sender. Except when expressly required by
     law, no publication of any notice of a shareholders' meeting shall be
     required. If shares are transferred after notice has been given, notice
     need not be given to the transferee. A record date may be fixed for
     determining the shareholders entitled

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     to notice of any meeting of shareholders, in accordance with the provisions
     of Section 1.12. Every notice of a shareholders' meeting, besides stating
     the time and place of the meeting, shall state briefly the purposes of the
     meeting as may be specified by the person or persons requesting or calling
     the meeting. Only the business provided for in such notice shall be
     considered at the meeting. Notice of the adjournment of a meeting need not
     be given if the time and place to which it is adjourned are fixed and
     announced at the meeting.

     Section 1.5 WAIVER OF NOTICE. Any shareholder, either before or after any
     meeting, may waive any notice required by law, the articles, or these
     regulations. Waivers must be in writing and filed with or entered upon the
     records of the meeting. Notice of a meeting will be deemed to have been
     waived by any shareholder who attends the meeting either in person or by
     proxy, and who does not, before or at the commencement of the meeting,
     protest the lack of proper notice.

     Section 1.6 QUORUM. The shareholders present in person or by proxy at any
     meeting of shareholders shall constitute quorum for such meeting, but no
     action required by Law, the Articles of Incorporation, or this Code of
     Regulations, to be authorized or taken by the holders of a designated
     proportion of the shares of any particular class, or of each class, may be
     authorized or taken by a lesser proportion. The shareholders present in
     person or by proxy at any meeting may also adjourn such meeting from time
     to time. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any
     business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting
     as originally called.

     Section 1.7 ORGANIZATION. At each shareholders' meeting the chairman of the
     board, or, in his absence, the president, or, in the absence of both of
     them, a chairman chosen by the holders of shares entitling them to exercise
     a majority of the voting power of the shareholders present in person or by
     proxy and entitled to vote, shall act as chairman, and the secretary of the
     Company, or, in his absence, any assistant secretary, or, in the absence of
     all of them, any person whom the chairman of the meeting appoints, shall
     act as secretary of the meeting.

     Section 1.8 ORDER OF BUSINESS. The order of business at each meeting of the
     shareholders shall be fixed by the chairman of the meeting at the beginning
     of the meeting but may be changed by the vote of the holders of shares
     entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the
     shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote.

     Section 1.9 VOTING. Each holder of a share or shares of the class or
     classes entitled to vote by law or the articles of incorporation shall be
     entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each such share registered
     in his name on the books of the Company. As provided in Section 1.12, a
     record date for determining which shareholders are entitled to vote at any
     meeting may be fixed. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Company
     shall not be voted directly or indirectly. Persons holding voting shares in
     a fiduciary capacity shall be entitled to vote the shares so held. A
     shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote the shares
     standing in his name on the books of the Company. Upon a demand by

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     any shareholder present in person or by proxy at any meeting and entitled
     to vote, any vote shall be by ballot. Each ballot shall be signed by the
     shareholder or his proxy and shall state the number of shares voted by him.
     Otherwise, votes shall be made orally.

     Section 1.10 PROXIES. Any shareholder who is entitled to attend or vote at
     a shareholders' meeting shall be entitled to exercise such right and any
     other of his rights by proxy or proxies appointed by a writing signed by
     such shareholder, which need not be witnessed or acknowledged. Except as
     otherwise specifically provided in these regulations, actions taken by
     proxy shall be governed by the provisions of Section 1701.48, Ohio Revised
     Code, or any similar statute which may hereafter be enacted, including the
     provisions relating to the sufficiency of the writing, duration of the
     validity of the proxy, power of substitution, revocation, and all other
     provisions.

     Section 1.11 INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS. Inspectors of elections may be
     appointed and act as provided in Section 1701.50, Ohio Revised Code, or any
     future statute of like tenor or effect.

     Section 1.12 RECORD DATE. The board of directors may fix a record date for
     any lawful purpose, including without limitation the determination of
     shareholders entitled to: (a) receive notice of or to vote at any meeting,
     (b) receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, (c) receive or
     exercise rights of purchase of, subscription for, or exchange or conversion
     of, shares or other securities, subject to any contract right with respect
     thereto, or (d) participate in the execution of written consents, waivers,
     or releases. Any such record date shall not be more than 60 days preceding
     the date of such meeting, the date fixed for the payment of any dividend or
     other distribution, or the date fixed for the receipt or the exercise of
     rights, as the case may be.

     Section 1.13 LIST OF SHAREHOLDERS AT MEETING. Upon request of any
     shareholder at any meeting of shareholders, there shall be produced at the
     meeting an alphabetically arranged list, or classified lists, of the
     shareholders of record as of the applicable record date who are entitled to
     vote, showing their respective addresses and the number and classes of
     shares held by them.

     Section 1.14 ACTION IN WRITING IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action which may be
     authorized or be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be authorized
     or taken without a meeting with the affirmative vote or approval of, and in
     a writing or writings signed by, all the shareholders who would be entitled
     to notice of a meeting of the shareholders held for that purpose.

                                   ARTICLE 2

                               Board of Directors
                               ------------------

     Section 2.2  NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. Until changed in accordance with this
     section, the number of directors of the Company, none of whom need be
     shareholders, shall be

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     not less than three nor more than nine, provided that when all shares of
     the Company are owned of record by one or two shareholders, the number of
     directors may be less than three but not less than the number of
     shareholders. The number of directors may be fixed or changed at any annual
     meeting of the shareholders, or at any special meeting of the shareholders
     called for that purpose, only by the affirmative vote or consent of the
     holders of shares entitling them to exercise at least 75% of the voting
     power of the Company; provided, however, that such 75% voting requirement
     shall not be applicable if the Company's Board of Directors shall have
     approved such action by a resolution adopted by at least two-thirds of the
     members of the Board of Directors, in which case the number of directors
     may be fixed or changed by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares
     entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Company.

     The Board of Directors shall be divided into two classes, designated Class
     I and Class II, with the number of directors in each class fixed at four.
     The term of office of directors in one class shall expire at each annual
     meeting of shareholders, and in all cases as to each director until a
     successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his earlier resignation,
     removal from office, death or incapacity. If the number of directors is
     hereafter changed, an increase or decrease in directorships shall be
     apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in
     number as possible. The initial term of office of directors in Class I
     shall expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2001 and that of
     Class II shall expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2002, and in
     all cases as to each director until a successor shall be elected and
     qualified, or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, death or
     incapacity. At each annual meeting of shareholders, the number of directors
     equal to the number of directors in the class whose term expires at the
     time of such meeting (or, if less, the number of directors properly
     nominated and qualified for election) shall be elected to hold office until
     the second succeeding annual meeting of shareholders after their election.

     This Section 2.2 may be amended only by the vote or consent of the holders
     of shares entitling them to exercise at least 75% of the voting power of
     the Company; provided, however, that such 75% voting requirement shall not
     be applicable if the Company's Board of Directors shall have approved such
     amendment by a resolution adopted by at least two-thirds of the members of
     the Board of Directors, in which case this Section 2.2 may be amended by
     the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a
     majority of the voting power of the Company.

     Section 2.4 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. At each meeting of the shareholders for
     the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the persons
     receiving the greatest number of votes shall be deemed elected directors.

     Section 2.7 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. All directors or any individual director
     may be removed from office, without assigning any cause, by the affirmative
     vote of the holders of record of not less than 75% of the shares having
     voting power of the Company with respect to the election of directors,
     provided that unless all directors are removed, no individual director
     shall be removed in case the votes of a sufficient number of shares are
     cast against his removal which, if cumulatively voted at an election of all
     directors, would be sufficient to elect at least one director. In case of
     any such removal, a new director may be elected at the same meeting for the
     unexpired term of each

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     director removed. Any director may also be removed by the board of
     directors for any of the causes specified in Section 1701.58(B), Ohio
     Revised Code, or any similar statute which may hereafter be enacted. This
     Section 2.7 may be amended only by the vote or consent of the holders of
     shares entitling them to exercise at least 75% of the voting power of the
     Company; provided, however, that such 75% voting requirement shall not be
     applicable if the Company's Board of Directors shall have approved such
     amendment by a resolution adopted by at least two-thirds of the members of
     the Board of Directors, in which case this Section 2.7 may be amended by
     the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a
     majority of the voting power of the Company.

     Section 2.8 VACANCIES. A vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by
     majority vote of the remaining directors, even though they are less than a
     quorum, until the shareholders hold an election to fill the vacancy.
     Shareholders entitled to elect directors may elect a director to fill any
     vacancy in the board (whether or not the vacancy has previously been
     temporarily filled by the remaining directors) at any shareholders' meeting
     called for that purpose.

                                   ARTICLE 4

                           Shares and Their Transfer
                           -------------------------

     Section 4.1 CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. Every owner of one or more shares in
     the Company shall be entitled to a certificate or certificates, which shall
     be in such form as may be approved by the board of directors, certifying
     the number and class of shares in the Company owned by him. The
     certificates for the respective classes of such shares shall be numbered in
     the order in which they are issued and shall be signed by the chairman, the
     president, or a vice president and by the secretary, an assistant
     secretary, the treasurer, or assistant treasurer; provided that, if such
     certificates are countersigned by a transfer agent or registrar, the
     signatures of such officers upon such certificates may be facsimiles,
     stamped, or printed. If an officer who has signed or whose facsimile
     signature has been used, stamped, or printed on any certificates ceases to
     be such officer because of death, resignation or other reason before such
     certificates are delivered by the Company, such certificates shall
     nevertheless be conclusively deemed to be valid if countersigned by any
     such transfer agent or registrar. A record shall be kept of the name of the
     owner or owners of the shares represented by each such certificate and the
     number of shares represented thereby, the date thereof, and in case of
     cancellation, the date of cancellation. Every certificate surrendered to
     the Company for exchange or transfer shall be cancelled and no new
     certificate or certificates shall be issued in exchange for any existing
     certificates until such existing certificates shall have been so canceled,
     except in cases provided for in Section 4.4.

     Section 4.2 TRANSFER OF SHARES. Any certificate for shares of the Company
     shall be transferable in person or by attorney upon the surrender of the
     certificate to the Company or any transfer agent for the Company (for the
     class of shares represented by the certificate surrendered) properly
     endorsed for

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     transfer and accompanied by such assurances as the Company or its transfer
     agent may require as to the genuineness and effectiveness of each necessary
     endorsement. The person in whose name any shares stand on the books of the
     Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be conclusively
     deemed to be the unqualified owner and holder of the shares and entitled to
     exercise all rights of ownership, for all purposes relating to the Company.
     Neither the Company nor any transfer agent of the Company shall be required
     to recognize any equitable interest in, or any claim to, any such shares on
     the part of any other person, whether disclosed on the certificate or any
     other way, nor shall they be required to see to the performance of any
     trust or other obligation.

     Section 4.3 REGULATIONS. The board of directors may make such rules and
     regulations as it may deem expedient or advisable, not inconsistent with
     these regulations, concerning the issue, transfer, and registration of
     certificates for shares. It may appoint one or more transfer agents or one
     or more registrars, or both, and may require all certificates for shares to
     bear the signature of either or both.

     Section 4.4 LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. A new share certificate
     or certificates may be issued in place of any certificate theretofore
     issued by the Company which is alleged to have been lost, destroyed, or
     wrongfully taken upon: (a) the execution and delivery to the Company by the
     person claiming the certificate to have been lost, destroyed, or wrongfully
     taken of an affidavit of that fact in form satisfactory to the Company,
     specifying whether or not the certificate was endorsed at the time of such
     alleged loss, destruction or taking, and (b) the receipt by the Company of
     a surety bond, indemnity agreement, or any other assurances satisfactory to
     the Company and to all transfer agents and registrars of the class of
     shares represented by the certificate against any and all losses, damages,
     costs, expenses, liabilities or claims to which they or any of them may be
     subjected by reason of the issue and delivery of such new certificate or
     certificates or with respect to the original certificate.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                      Examination of Books by Shareholders
                      ------------------------------------

     The board of directors may make reasonable rules and regulations
     prescribing under what conditions the books, records, accounts, and
     documents of the Company, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection
     of the shareholders. No shareholder shall be denied any right which is
     conferred by Section 1701.37, Ohio Revised Code, or any other applicable
     law to inspect any book, record, account, or document of the Company. An
     original or duplicate stock ledger showing the names and addresses of the
     shareholders and the number and class of shares issued or transferred of
     record to or by them from time to time shall at all times during the usual
     hours for business be open to the examination of every

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     shareholder at the principal office or place of business of the Company in
     the State of Ohio.

                                   ARTICLE 10

                            Amendment of Regulations
                            ------------------------

     Except as otherwise expressly provided in Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of these
     regulations, these regulations may be amended or new regulations may be
     adopted: (a) at any meeting of the shareholders held for such purpose, by
     the affirmative vote of the holders of record of shares entitling them to
     exercise a majority of the voting power on such proposal; or (b) without a
     meeting of the shareholders, by the written consent of the holders of
     record of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power
     on such proposal. If any amendment or new regulations are adopted without a
     meeting of the shareholders, the secretary shall mail a copy of the
     amendment or new regulations to each shareholder who would have been
     entitled to vote on the proposal but who did not participate in the
     adoption of the amendment or new regulations.

                                   ARTICLE 11

                          Close Corporation Agreement
                          ---------------------------

     These regulations may be superseded in whole or part, at any time and from
     time to time, by any close corporation agreement between the shareholders
     of the Company pursuant to Section 1701.591, Ohio Revised Code, or any
     similar statute which may hereafter be enacted.

                                      10<PAGE> 1

                              D&K WHOLESALE DRUG, INC.
                      401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN AND TRUST
                                AMENDMENT NUMBER 1

                        RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

WHEREAS, D&K Wholesale Drug, Inc. (hereinafter called "Company"), established
the D&K Wholesale Drug, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust (hereinafter
called the "Plan") effective January 1, 1995; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 8.1 of the Plan, the Company by action of
its Board of Directors is authorized to amend the Plan at any time; and

WHEREAS, the Company now deems it advisable to amend the Plan to allow
Employees to become eligible to enter the plan upon attainment of age 21 and
after 120 days of service;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Section D4b. of the adoption agreement
shall be amended effective July 1, 1996, to read as follows:

    D4    CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY (Plan Section 3.1)

          b.    SERVICE REQUIREMENT (may not exceed 1 year)

                1. ( ) None
                2. ( ) 1/2 Year of Service
                3. ( ) 1 Year of Service
                4. (x) Other 30 days
                             -------

                              CERTIFICATION
                              -------------

I, Martin D. Wilson, Secretary of D&K Wholesale Drug, Inc., a corporation
duly organized and existing under the laws of the state of Missouri, hereby
certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the resolution duly
adopted on the 20th day of December, 1996, which resolution has not been
subsequently rescinded or modified.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal
of the said corporation this 20th day of December, 1996.

                                                /s/ Juanita Whitfield
                                                ------------------------------
SEAL

                                     38

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