Document:

Exhibit 10.1

                          SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

DATE              July 6, 2000

PARTIES           Bell Microproducts Inc.
                  1491 Ringwood Avenue
                  San Jose, CA 95131                          (the "Company")

                  The Retirement Systems of Alabama
                  P.O. Box 302150
                  135 South Union Street, Ste. 570
                  Montgomery, AL 36130                        (the "Investor")

RECITALS

         A. The Retirement Systems of Alabama is agent for each of Teachers'
Retirement Systems of Alabama, Employees' Retirement Systems of Alabama,
Judicial Retirement Fund, PEIRAF-Deferred Compensation Plan, Public Employees
Individual Retirement Account Fund and State Employees' Health Insurance Fund
and the term "Investor" as used herein shall mean The Retirement Systems of
Alabama and each of the foregoing named funds.

         B. The Company desires to issue to the Investor, and the Investor
desires to purchase from the Company, senior subordinated notes in the aggregate
principal amount of $100,000,000 (the "Long-Term Notes") and senior subordinated
notes in the aggregate principal amount of $80,000,000 (the "Bridge Notes"), on
the terms and for the consideration provided herein.

         C. The proceeds of the Long-Term Notes shall be used (i) to fund a
portion of the costs of establishing corporate offices in Montgomery, Alabama,
(ii) to fund acquisitions, (iii) to refinance existing senior debt, and (iv) for
working capital for ongoing operations.

         D. The proceeds of the Bridge Notes shall be used to refinance existing
senior debt.

         E. In consideration of the Investor's agreement to purchase the
Long-Term Notes, the Company desires to issue to the Investor, and the Investor
desires to purchase from the Company, a warrant to purchase shares of the common
stock of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement and the Warrant (as defined below).

AGREEMENT

         IN CONSIDERATION of the foregoing premises, and the mutual covenants
set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

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                   ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

         1.1. Defined Terms. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set out respectively
after each:

         "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) each Person
that, directly or indirectly, owns or controls, whether beneficially or as a
trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, five percent (5%) or more of any class of
capital stock of such Person, (b) each Person that controls, is controlled by or
is under common control with such Person or any Affiliate of such Person or (c)
each of such Person's employees, officers, directors, joint venturers and
partners; provided, however, that in no case shall the Investor be deemed to be
an Affiliate of the Company for purposes of this Agreement. For the purpose of
this definition, "control" of a Person shall mean the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of its management or
policies, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

         "Bridge Notes" shall mean the 9.125% Senior Subordinated Notes issued
by the Company to the Investor dated the date hereof in the aggregate original
principal amount of $80,000,000, as follows: (i) $58,000,000 payable to
Teachers' Retirement Systems of Alabama, (ii) $14,000,000 payable to Employees'
Retirement Systems of Alabama, (iii) $3,000,000 payable to PEIRAF-Deferred
Compensation Plan, and (iv) $5,000,000 payable to State Employees' Health
Insurance Fund.

         "Business Day" shall mean any day (a) which is not a Saturday or
Sunday, and (b) on which commercial banks are not authorized or required to
close in San Francisco, California or Montgomery, Alabama.

         "Capital Asset" shall mean, with respect to any Person, tangible
property owned or leased (in the case of a Capital Lease) by such Person, or any
expense incurred by any Person that is required by GAAP to be reported as an
asset on such Person's balance sheet.

         "Capital Leases" shall mean any and all lease obligations that, in
accordance with GAAP, are required to be capitalized on the books of a lessee.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.

         "Collateral" shall mean all property in which the Investor has a Lien
to secure the Obligations.

         "Company" shall have the meaning given to that term in the introductory
Section hereof entitled PARTIES.

         "Contractual Obligation" of any Person shall mean, any material
indenture, note, security, deed of trust, mortgage, security agreement, lease,
guaranty, instrument, contract, agreement or other form of obligation to which
such Person is a party or by which such Person or any of its property is bound.

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         "Default" shall mean any event or circumstance not yet constituting an
Event of Default which with the giving of any notice or the lapse of any period
of time or both, would become an Event of Default.

         "Dollars" and "$" shall mean the lawful currency of the United States
of America and, in relation to any payment under this Agreement, same day or
immediately available funds.

         "Environmental Laws" means all Requirements of Law relating to the
protection of human health or the environment, including, without limitation,
(a) all Requirements of Law pertaining to reporting, licensing, permitting,
investigation, and remediation of emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened
releases of hazardous materials, chemical substances, pollutants, contaminants,
or hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes whether solid, liquid, or
gaseous in nature, into the air, surface water, groundwater, or land, or
relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
disposal, transport, or handling of chemical substances, pollutants,
contaminants, or hazardous or toxic substances, materials, or wastes, whether
solid, liquid, or gaseous in nature; and (b) all Requirements of Law pertaining
to the protection of the health and safety of employees or the public.

         "Event of Default" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
7.1.

         "Federal Reserve Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.

         "Final Maturity Date" shall mean June 30, 2010.

         "Financial Statements" shall mean, with respect to any accounting
period for any Person, statements of income and of changes in cash flow of such
Person for such period, and balance sheets of such Person as of the end of such
period, setting forth in each case in comparative form figures for the
corresponding period in the preceding fiscal year if such period is less than a
full fiscal year or, if such period is a full fiscal year, corresponding figures
from the preceding annual audit, all prepared in reasonable detail and in
accordance with GAAP.

         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles and
practices as in effect in the United States of America from time to time,
consistently applied.

         "Governmental Authority" shall mean any domestic or foreign national,
state or local government, any political subdivision thereof, any department,
agency, authority or bureau of any of the foregoing, or any other entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative
functions of or pertaining to government.

         "Governmental Charges" shall mean all levies, assessments, fees, claims
or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority upon or relating to (i)
the Company, (ii) employees, payroll, income or gross receipts of the Company,
(iii) the ownership or use of any of its assets by the Company or (iv) any other
aspect of the business of the Company.

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         "Governmental Rule" shall mean any material law, rule, regulation,
ordinance, order, code interpretation, judgment, decree, directive, guidelines,
policy or similar form of decision of any Governmental Authority.

         "Indebtedness" of any Person shall mean and include (a) all items of
indebtedness and liabilities which, in accordance with GAAP, would be included
in determining liabilities that are shown on the liability side of the balance
sheet of such Person, (b) all indebtedness and liabilities of other Persons
assumed or guaranteed by such Person or in respect of which such Person is
secondarily or contingently liable whether by any agreement to acquire
indebtedness and liabilities or to supply or advance funds or otherwise, and (c)
all indebtedness and liabilities of other Persons secured by any Lien in any
property of such Person (including without limitation Capital Leases).

         "Indemnitees" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section
11.3.

         "Interest Rate" with respect to the Long-Term Notes shall mean the
fixed rate of interest equal to 9% per annum; and with respect to the Bridge
Notes shall mean the fixed rate of interest equal to 9.125% per annum.

         "Investor" shall have the meaning given to that term in Recital A.

         "Lien" shall mean, with respect to any property, any security interest,
mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, charge or other encumbrance in, of, or on such
property or the income therefrom, including, without limitation, the interest of
a vendor or lessor under a conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other
title retention agreement, or any agreement to provide any of the foregoing, and
the filing of any financing statement or similar instrument under the Uniform
Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction.

         "Long-Term Notes" shall mean the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes issued by
the Company to the Investor dated the date hereof in the aggregate original
principal amount of $100,000,000, as follows: (i) $79,000,000 payable to
Teachers' Retirement Systems of Alabama, (ii) $15,000,000 payable to Employees'
Retirement Systems of Alabama, (iii) $2,000,000 payable to Judicial Retirement
Fund, (iv) $3,000,000 payable to PEIRAF-Deferred Compensation Plan, and (v)
$1,000,000 payable to Public Employees Individual Retirement Account Fund.

         "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning given to that term in Regulation
U issued by the Federal Reserve Board, as amended from time to time, and any
successor regulation thereto.

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect on (a)
the business, assets, operations, prospects or financial or other condition of
the Company; (b) the ability of the Company to pay or perform the Obligations in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;
or (c) the rights and remedies of the Investor under this Agreement, the other
Transaction Documents or any related document, instrument or agreement.

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         "Net Worth" shall mean, with respect to any Person at any time, the
remainder at such time, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP, of (a) the total assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries minus (b) the
total liabilities of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

         "Note(s)" shall mean the Long-Term Notes and/or the Bridge Notes or any
one or more of them.

         "Obligations" shall mean and include, with respect to the Company, all
obligations owed by the Company to the Investor under the Notes, and all amounts
arising pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction
Documents, including without limitation all interest, fees, charges, expenses,
attorneys' fees and accountants' fees chargeable to the Company or payable by
the Company hereunder or thereunder.

         "Permitted Dividend" shall mean and include:

                  (a) Dividends payable solely in the common stock of the
         Company (and cash paid in lieu of fractional shares in connection
         therewith); and

                  (b) Repurchases of employee stock pursuant to repurchase
         agreements.

         "Permitted Indebtedness" shall mean and include:

                  (a) Senior Indebtedness;

                  (b) Indebtedness to subcontractors and trade creditors
         incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                  (c) Unsecured Indebtedness of the Company;

                  (d) Purchase money Indebtedness incurred to acquire a Capital
         Asset provided that such Indebtedness does not exceed the purchase
         price of such Capital Asset;

                  (e) Indebtedness under Capital Leases and operating leases;

                  (f) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of the Company to the
         Company arising from the extension by the Company to such Subsidiary of
         working capital financing;

                  (g) Indebtedness arising from the endorsement of instruments
         in the ordinary course of business;

                  (h) Indebtedness of the Company under Rate Contracts,
         provided, that (A) all such arrangements are entered into in connection
         with bona fide hedging operations and not for speculation and (B) the
         aggregate net amount owed by the Company under, on account of or
         otherwise in connection with such Rate Contracts does not exceed
         $50,000,000 (marked to market) at any time; and

                  (i) Other Indebtedness not exceeding $1,000,000 at any time.

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                  (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) through
         (i), above, the total "permitted indebtedness" may only be expanded to
         the extent that the Company's accounts receivable plus inventory
         balances on a consolidated basis less the outstanding balance under the
         Company's current or any future bank syndication and/or international
         working capital lines of credit exceed the amount owed by the Company
         to the Investor.

         "Permitted Liens" shall mean and include:

                  (a) Liens for taxes or other governmental charges not at the
         time delinquent or thereafter payable without penalty or being
         contested in good faith, provided provision is made to the reasonable
         satisfaction of the Investor for the eventual payment thereof if
         subsequently found payable;

                  (b) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen,
         vendors, and landlords incurred in the ordinary course of business for
         sums not overdue or being contested in good faith;

                  (c) Deposits under workers' compensation, unemployment
         insurance and social security laws or to secure the performance of
         bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed
         money) or leases, or to secure statutory obligations of surety or
         appeal bonds or to secure indemnity, performance or other similar bonds
         in the ordinary course of business;

                  (d) Liens arising out of a judgment or award not exceeding
         $500,000 (exclusive of any amounts covered by insurance issued by a
         Person not an Affiliate of the Company) with respect to which an appeal
         is being prosecuted, a stay of execution pending appeal having been
         secured;

                  (e) Liens securing purchase money Indebtedness if such
         Indebtedness is Permitted Indebtedness pursuant to clause (d) of the
         definition thereof and such Liens do not extend to property other than
         the property financed with such Indebtedness;

                  (f) Liens securing obligations under a Capital Lease if such
         lease is Permitted Indebtedness pursuant to clause (e) of the
         definition thereof and such Liens do not extend to property other than
         the property leased under such Capital Lease;

                  (g) Liens securing Senior Indebtedness;

                  (h) Leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses granted to the
         Company the granting of which is not prohibited pursuant to the
         definition of Permitted Indebtedness;

                  (i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities which
         secure payment of duties in connection with the importation of goods;

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                  (j) Liens existing on property acquired by the Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries at the time of such acquisition (including Liens on
         the assets of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary
         of the Company);

                  (k) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof
         incurred solely to secure the financing of premiums owing with respect
         thereto;

                  (l) Liens in favor of the Company;

                  (m) Liens in favor of the Investor; and

                  (n) Such minor defects, irregularities, encumbrances,
         easements, rights of way, and clouds on title as normally exist on
         similar properties which do not, individually or in the aggregate,
         materially impair the property affected thereby or the use thereof.

         "Person" shall mean and include an individual, a partnership, a
corporation (including a business trust), a joint stock company, an
unincorporated association, a limited liability company, a joint venture, a
trust or other entity.

         "Rate Contracts" shall mean swap agreements (as that term is defined in
Section 101 of the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended) and any
other agreements or arrangements designed to provide protection against
fluctuations in interest or currency exchange rates.

         "Requirement of Law" applicable to any Person shall mean (a) the
Articles or Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, Partnership Agreement or
other organizational or governing documents of such Person, (b) any Governmental
Rule applicable to such Person, (c) any material license, permit, approval or
other authorization granted by any Governmental Authority to or for the benefit
of such Person and (d) any material judgment, decision or determination of any
Governmental Authority or arbitrator, in each case applicable to or binding upon
such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its
property is subject.

         "Restricted Securities" means the Notes, the Warrant, and the common
stock of the Company to be issued under the Warrant, to the extent the Notes,
the Warrant and such common stock have not then been sold to the public pursuant
to (a) registration under the Securities Act or (b) Rule 144 (or similar or
successor rule) promulgated under the Securities Act.

         "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "Security Agreement" shall mean the Security Agreement dated the date
hereof between the Company and the Investor, as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Senior Indebtedness" means all indebtedness, liabilities and
obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries incurred for general corporate
purposes (including, without limitation, for acquisitions and letters of credit)

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howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter created or incurred
and whether it is sole, joint, several or joint and several, subject to the
limitations of "permitted indebtedness."

         "Senior Lenders" shall mean any lenders (whether one or more) who are
providing Senior Indebtedness.

         "Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean (a) any corporation of which more
than 50% of the issued and outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting
power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation
(irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes
of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any
contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such
Person, by such Person and one or more of its other Subsidiaries or by one or
more of such Person's other Subsidiaries, (b) any partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company or other association of which more than 50% of the
equity interest having the power to vote, direct or control the management of
such partnership, joint venture or other association is at the time owned and
controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more of the other
Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Person's other Subsidiaries and (c) any
other Person included in the Financial Statements of such Person on a
consolidated basis.

         "Transaction Documents" shall include all of the documents, instruments
and certificates listed on Schedule 1.1.

         "Transfer" shall mean any sale, transfer, assignment, or other
disposition with or without consideration of any interest in any security,
including any disposition of any securities or of any interest therein which
would constitute a sale thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

         "Warrant" shall mean the Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated the date
hereof between the Company and the Investor, as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, as more fully described in Section 4.1(g).

         1.2. GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated in this Agreement, all accounting
terms used in this Agreement shall be construed, and all accounting and
financial computations hereunder shall be computed, in accordance with GAAP. If
GAAP changes during the term of this Agreement such that any covenants contained
herein would then be calculated in a different manner or with different
components, the Company and the Investor agree to negotiate in good faith to
amend this Agreement in such respects as is necessary to conform those covenants
as criteria for evaluating the Company's financial condition to substantially
the same criteria as were effective prior to such change in GAAP; provided,
however, that, until the Company and the Investor so amend this Agreement, all
such covenants shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP as in effect
immediately prior to such change.

         1.3. Headings. Headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and are not part of the substance hereof.

         1.4. Plural Terms. All terms defined in this Agreement in the singular
form shall have comparable meanings when used in the plural form and vice versa.

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         1.5. Time. All references in this Agreement to a time of day shall mean
Montgomery, Alabama time, unless otherwise indicated.

         1.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama without reference to
conflicts of law rules.

         1.7. Construction. This Agreement is the result of negotiations among,
and has been reviewed by, the Company and the Investor and their respective
counsel. Accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all
parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against the
Company or the Investor.

         1.8. Calculation of Interest and Fees. All calculations of interest and
fees under this Agreement for any period (a) shall include the first day of such
period and exclude the last day of such period and (b) shall be calculated on
the basis of a 360 day year consisting of twelve (12) thirty (30) day months.

         1.9. Other Interpretive Provisions. References in this Agreement to
"Recitals," "Articles," "Sections," "Paragraphs," Subparagraphs," "Exhibits" and
"Schedules" are to recitals, articles, sections, paragraphs, subparagraphs,
exhibits and schedules herein and hereto unless otherwise indicated. References
in this Agreement to any document, instrument or agreement (a) shall include all
exhibits, schedules and other attachments thereto, (b) shall include all
documents, instruments or agreements issued or executed in replacement thereof,
and (c) shall mean such document, instrument or agreement, or replacement or
predecessor thereto, as amended, modified and supplemented from time to time and
in effect at any given time. The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and
words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The
words "include" and "including" and words of similar import when used in this
Agreement shall not be construed to be limiting or exclusive.

                     ARTICLE 2 PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE NOTE

         2.1.     Purchase and Sale of the Notes.

         Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.1, at such
time and location as the Company and the Investor may agree, (a) the Company
shall sell the Long-Term Notes to the Investor and the Investor shall purchase
the Long-Term Notes from the Company and deliver to the Company $100,000,000 in
cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to one or more accounts
designated by the Company, and (b) the Company shall sell the Bridge Notes to
the Investor and the Investor shall purchase the Bridge Notes from the Company
and deliver to the Company $80,000,000 in cash by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to one or more accounts for the benefit of senior lenders being
paid as designated by the Company.

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                ARTICLE 3 PROVISIONS OF THE NOTES AND THE WARRANT

         3.1.     General Provisions As To Payments.

               (a) The Company shall make each payment in respect of the
principal of and accrued interest on, the Note, or any other amount due to the
Investor under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, not later than
3:00 p.m., on the day when due, to the Investor as provided in the Note, or in
such manner as instructed from time to time in writing by the Investor. All
payments hereunder shall be made in United States Dollars by wire transfer of
immediately available funds.

               (b) Whenever any payment (including principal of or interest on
the Note or other amount) hereunder or under any other Transaction Document
shall become due, or otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day,
such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of such
interest, or other amount, if applicable.

               (c) The Company hereby authorizes the Investor to make
appropriate notations on the grid attached to the Note, including the date,
outstanding principal amount and any prepayment thereof, which notations shall
be conclusive absent manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of the
Investor to make such notation or any error on the Note shall not affect the
obligation of the Company to repay, in accordance with the terms of the Note and
this Agreement, the principal amount of the Note together with all interest and
other amounts due hereunder.

         3.2.  Interest.

               (a) Interest shall be payable on the principal amount of the Note
outstanding from time to time at the Interest Rate.

               (b) Interest on the Note shall accrue from the date hereof (or,
if later, the date the Investor purchases the Note) and shall be payable on the
date specified in the Note and on maturity of the Note, whether by acceleration
or otherwise.

               (c) In no event whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts
deemed interest under the Note and charged or collected pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement or pursuant to the Note exceed the highest rate permissible under
any law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination,
deem applicable hereto. If any provisions of this Agreement or the Note are in
contravention of any such law, such provisions shall be deemed amended to
conform thereto.

         3.3.  Principal Repayment.

               (a) The Company shall repay the Long-Term Notes as follows: (i)
in semi-annual installments aggregating $3,500,000 beginning on December 31,

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2000 until and including June 30, 2007; and (ii) in semi-annual installments
aggregating $8,500,000 beginning on December 31, 2007 until and including the
Final Maturity Date.

               (b) Any and all principal of the Long-Term Notes remaining
unpaid, together with all interest accrued but unpaid thereon, automatically and
unconditionally shall be due and payable in full on the Final Maturity Date.

               (c) The Company shall repay the Bridge Notes in full on or before
June 30, 2001.

         3.4.  Optional Prepayments.

               (a) The Company may, at any time, at its option, prepay any one
or more of the Long-Term Notes in whole and from time to time in part, without
premium or penalty, upon not less than thirty (30) Business Day's prior written
notice to the Investor; provided, however, that each partial prepayment shall be
in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000 or integral multiples
of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each prepayment of a Note shall include payment
in cash of the principal amount of such Note proposed to be prepaid on such
prepayment date, and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon to the date of such
prepayment on the portion of the Note being prepaid.

               (b) The Company may not prepay the Bridge Notes prior to January
6, 2001. The Company may, at any time on or after January 6, 2001 at its option,
prepay any one or more of the Bridge Notes in whole and from time to time in
part, without premium or penalty, upon not less than thirty (30) Business Day's
prior written notice to the Investor; provided, however, that each partial
prepayment shall be in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000 or
integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each prepayment of a Note
shall include payment in cash of the principal amount of such Note proposed to
be prepaid on such prepayment date, and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon
to the date of such prepayment on the portion of the Note being prepaid.

               (c) Each notice of prepayment pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall
specify the proposed date of such prepayment, the principal amount of the Note
to be prepaid, and the interest owing on such principal amount.

                         ARTICLE 4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

         4.1. Conditions to Purchase and Sale of Notes.

         The obligations of the Investor to purchase and of the Company to sell
the Notes hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

               (a) Securities Purchase Agreement. Each of the Company and the
Investor shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to it and its
counsel, a duly executed copy of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents, including the Warrant as more fully described in Section 4.1(g), each
in form and substance satisfactory to it and its counsel.

               (b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist.

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               (c) No Litigation. No action, proceeding, investigation,
regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed
before any court, governmental agency or legislative body to enjoin, restrain or
prohibit, or to obtain damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises
out of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.

               (d) Payment of Fees and Expenses. The Company shall have paid the
legal fees and expenses of the Investor's legal counsel, in an amount not to
exceed $75,000.

               (e) Representations and Warranties; Performance of Covenants. The
representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be correct
in all material respects as though made on and as of the date hereof. The
Company shall have satisfied each of the conditions precedent set forth herein
on and as of the date hereof. The representations and warranties of the Investor
contained herein shall be correct in all material respects as though made on and
as of the date hereof. The Investor shall have satisfied each of the conditions
precedent set forth herein on and as of the date hereof.

               (f) Consent of Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The holders of the
Senior Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof shall have consented to the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

               (g) Warrant. The Company shall have issued to the Investor the
Warrant to purchase 500,000 shares of stock in the Company at a price of $18.00
per share at any time during a period of 10 years from the date of the purchase
of the Long-Term Notes.

                    ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         5.1. The Company's Representations and Warranties. In order to induce
the Investor to enter into this Agreement, the Company hereby represents and
warrants to the Investor as follows:

                  (a) Due Incorporation, Qualification, Etc. The Company (i) is
         a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
         under the laws of California; (ii) has the power and authority to own,
         lease and operate its properties and carry on its business as now
         conducted; and (iii) is duly qualified, licensed to do business and in
         good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the
         failure to be so qualified or licensed might have a Material Adverse
         Effect, including, without limitation, the State of Alabama.

                  (b) Authority. The execution, delivery and performance by the
         Company of each Transaction Document, and the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated thereby (i) are within the Company's power
         and (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part
         of the Company.

                  (c) Enforceability. Each Transaction Document executed by the
         Company has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and

                                       12
<PAGE>

         constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
         enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as
         limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application
         relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally
         and general principles of equity.

                  (d) Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery by the
         Company of the Transaction Documents and the performance and
         consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby do not (i)
         violate any Requirement of Law applicable to the Company; (ii) violate
         any provision of, or result in the material breach or the acceleration
         of, or entitle any other Person to accelerate (whether after the giving
         of notice or lapse of time or both), any Contractual Obligation of the
         Company; or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon
         any material property, asset or revenue of the Company (except such
         Liens as may be created in favor of the Investor).

                  (e) Approvals. Other than as obtained as of the date hereof,
         no material consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
         registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Authority or
         other Person (including, without limitation, the shareholders of any
         Person), is required in connection with the execution and delivery of
         the Transaction Documents executed by the Company and the performance
         and consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.

                  (f) No Violation or Default. The Company is not in violation
         of or in default with respect to (i) any Requirement of Law; (ii) any
         Contractual Obligation, where, such violation or default could have a
         Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the
         foregoing, the Company (A) has not violated any Environmental Laws, (B)
         does not have any liability under any Environmental Laws or (C) has not
         received notice or other communication of an investigation, and the
         Company is not under investigation by any Governmental Authority having
         authority to enforce Environmental Laws, where such violation,
         liability or investigation could have a Material Adverse Effect. No
         Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.

                  (g) Litigation. Except as set forth (with the dollar amounts
         claimed) in Schedule 5.1(g), no actions (including, without limitation,
         derivative actions), suits, proceedings or investigations are pending
         or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company at
         law or in equity in any court or before any other Governmental
         Authority which (i) could (alone or in the aggregate) have a Material
         Adverse Effect or (ii) seeks to enjoin, either directly or indirectly,
         the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of the
         Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby.

                  (h) Title. The Company owns and has good and marketable title
         to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its respective real
         properties and good title to its other respective assets and properties
         as reflected in the most recent Financial Statements delivered to the
         Investor (except those assets and properties disposed of in the
         ordinary course of business or otherwise in compliance with this
         Agreement since the date of such Financial Statements) and all assets
         and properties acquired by the Company since such date (except those

                                       13
<PAGE>

         disposed of in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in
         compliance with this Agreement). Such assets and properties are subject
         to no Lien, except for Permitted Liens.

                  (i) Financial Statements. The Financial Statements of the
         Company which have been delivered to the Investor, (i) are in
         accordance with the books and records of the Company, which have been
         maintained in accordance with good business practice; (ii) have been
         prepared in conformity with GAAP; and (iii) fairly present the
         financial positions of the Company at such date. The Company has no
         contingent obligations, liability for taxes or other outstanding
         obligations which are material in the aggregate, except as disclosed in
         the audited Financial Statements of the Company dated December 31,
         1999, furnished by the Company to the Investor prior to the date
         hereof.

                  (j) Other Regulations. The Company is not subject to
         regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Public Utility
         Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, any state public
         utilities code or any federal or state statute or regulatory scheme
         which would limit its ability execute, deliver and perform any of the
         Transaction Documents executed or to be executed by it.

                  (k) Patent and Other Rights. The Company owns, and has the
         full right to license without the consent of any other Person, all
         patents, licenses, trademarks, trade names, trade secrets, service
         marks, copyrights and all rights with respect thereto, which are
         required to conduct its business as now conducted.

                  (l) Governmental Charges. The Company has filed or caused to
         be filed all tax returns which are required to be filed by it. The
         Company has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all taxes and
         other Governmental Charges which have or may have become due pursuant
         to such returns or otherwise, except such Governmental Charges, if any,
         which are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate
         reserves (determined in accordance with GAAP) have been provided or
         which could not have a Material Adverse Effect if unpaid.

                  (m) Margin Stock. The Company owns no Margin Stock which, in
         the aggregate, would constitute a substantial part of the assets of the
         Company, and no proceeds of the Notes will be used to purchase or
         carry, directly or indirectly, any Margin Stock or to extend credit,
         directly or indirectly, to any Person for the purpose of purchasing or
         carrying any Margin Stock.

                  (n) Subsidiaries, Etc. Set forth in Schedule 5.1(n) is a
         complete list of all of the Company's Subsidiaries, the jurisdiction of
         incorporation of each, the classes of common stock of each and the
         number of shares and percentages of shares of each such class owned
         directly or indirectly by the Company. Except for such Subsidiaries,
         the Company has no Subsidiaries, is not a partner in any partnership or
         a joint venturer in any joint venture.

                  (o) Catastrophic Events. Neither the Company nor any of its
         properties is or has been affected by any fire, explosion, accident,
         strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail,

                                       14
<PAGE>

         earthquake, embargo, act of God or other casualty that could have a
         Material Adverse Effect. There are no disputes presently subject to
         grievance procedure, arbitration or litigation under any of the
         collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts or employee
         welfare or incentive plans to which the Company is a party, and there
         are no strikes, lockouts, work stoppages or slowdowns, or, to the best
         knowledge of the Company, jurisdictional disputes or organizing
         activity occurring or threatened which could have a Material Adverse
         Effect.

                  (p) Burdensome Contractual Obligations, Etc. Neither the
         Company nor any of its properties is subject to any Contractual
         Obligation or Requirement of Law which could have a Material Adverse
         Effect.

                  (q) No Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred and no
         condition exists which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (r) Accuracy of Information Furnished. None of the Transaction
         Documents and none of the other certificates, statements or information
         furnished to the Investor by or on behalf of the Company in connection
         with the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby
         contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
         omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
         statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
         made, not misleading.

                              ARTICLE 6 COVENANTS.

         6.1. Affirmative Covenants. Until the satisfaction in full by the
Company of all Obligations, the Company will comply with the following
affirmative covenants, unless the Investor shall otherwise consent in writing:

                  (a) Financial Statements, Reports, etc. The Company shall
         furnish to the Investor the following, each in such form and such
         detail as the Investor shall reasonably request:

                           (i) Within fifty (50) days after the last day of each
                  fiscal quarter of the Company, (A) a copy of the Financial
                  Statements of the Company for such quarter and for the fiscal
                  year to date (including consolidated Financial Statements for
                  the Company and its Subsidiaries), certified by the president
                  or chief financial officer of the Company to present fairly
                  the financial condition, results of operations and other
                  information reflected therein and to have been prepared in
                  accordance with GAAP (subject to year-end audit adjustments)
                  and (B) the Form 10-Q Report filed by the Company with the
                  Securities and Exchange Commission for such quarter;

                           (ii) Within ninety-five (95) days after the close of
                  each fiscal year of the Company, (A) copies of the audited
                  Financial Statements of the Company for such year (including
                  consolidated Financial Statements for the Company and its
                  Subsidiaries), prepared by independent certified public
                  accountants acceptable to the Investor, (B) copies of the

                                       15
<PAGE>

                  unqualified opinions (or qualified opinions reasonably
                  acceptable to the Investor) and management letters delivered
                  by such accountants in connection with all such Financial
                  Statements, (C) certificates of all such accountants to the
                  Investor stating that in making the examination necessary for
                  their opinion they have obtained no knowledge of any Event of
                  Default or Default which has occurred and is continuing, or
                  if, in the opinion of such accountants, an Event of Default or
                  Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the
                  nature thereof (or other certificates of such accountants
                  reasonably acceptable to the Investor) and (D) the Form 10-K
                  Report filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission for such year;

                           (iii) Contemporaneously with the quarterly and
                  year-end financial statements required by the foregoing
                  clauses (i) and (ii), a certificate of the president or chief
                  financial officer of the Company in such detail as the
                  Investor may reasonably request which sets forth the
                  calculations conducted to verify that the Company is in
                  compliance with the net worth covenant set forth in Section
                  6.2(g) and stating that no Event of Default and no Default has
                  occurred and is continuing, or, if any such Event of Default
                  or Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to
                  the nature thereof and what action the Company proposes to
                  take with respect thereto;

                           (iv) As soon as possible and in no event later than
                  five (5) Business Days after they are sent, made available or
                  filed, copies of all registration statements and reports filed
                  by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
                  (including 8Q reports) and all reports, proxy statements and
                  financial statements sent or made available by the Company to
                  its shareholders generally; and

                           (v) Such other instruments, agreements, certificates,
                  opinions, statements, documents and information relating to
                  the operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
                  Company, and compliance by the Company with the terms of this
                  Agreement and the other Transaction Documents as the Investor
                  may from time to time reasonably request.

                  (b) Books and Records. The Company shall at all times keep
         proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct
         entries will be made of its transactions in accordance with GAAP.

                  (c) Inspections. The Company shall permit any Person
         designated by the Investor, upon reasonable notice and during normal
         business hours, to visit and inspect any of the properties and offices
         of the Company, to examine the books of account of the Company and to
         discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company with, and to
         be advised as to the same by, their officers, all at such times and
         intervals as the Investor may reasonably request.

                  (d) Insurance. The Company shall carry and maintain insurance
         of the types and in the amounts customarily carried from time to time
         during the term of this Agreement by others engaged in substantially
         the same business as the Company and operating in the same geographic

                                       16
<PAGE>

         area as the Company, including fire, public liability, property damage
         and worker's compensation, such insurance to be carried with companies
         and in amounts reasonably satisfactory to the Investor. The Company
         shall name the Investor as additional insured or loss payee, as
         appropriate and to the extent of its interest, on all such insurance.

                  (e) Governmental Charges The Company shall promptly pay and
         discharge before delinquent all taxes and other Governmental Charges
         prior to the date upon which penalties accrue thereon, except such
         Governmental Charges as may in good faith be contested or disputed by
         appropriate proceedings, provided that in each such case appropriate
         reserves are maintained in accordance with GAAP.

                  (f) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds of the
         Long-Term Note only for the purposes set forth in Recital C and the
         Company shall use the proceeds of the Bridge Note only for the purposes
         set forth in Recital D. The Company shall not use any part of the
         proceeds of the Notes, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of
         purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for the purpose of
         purchasing or carrying or trading in any securities under such
         circumstances as to involve the Company or the Investor in a violation
         of Regulations T, U or X issued by the Federal Reserve Board.

                  (g) General Business Operations. The Company shall (i)
         preserve and maintain its corporate existence and all of its rights,
         privileges and franchises reasonably necessary to the conduct of its
         business, (ii) conduct its business activities in compliance with all
         Requirements of Law and Contractual Obligations, the violation of which
         could have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) keep all property
         useful and necessary in its business in good working order and
         condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

                  (h) Information. Without in any way limiting the generality of
         Sections 6.1(a) and (c), the Company shall meet with representatives of
         the Investor on a semi-annual basis and will provide the Investor with
         quarterly written reports regarding the Company's business operations
         and financial condition.

         6.2. Negative Covenants. Until the satisfaction in full by the Company
of all Obligations, the Company will comply with the following negative
covenants, unless the Investor shall otherwise consent in writing:

                  (a) Indebtedness. The Company shall not create, incur, assume
         or permit to exist any Indebtedness except for Permitted Indebtedness.

                  (b) Liens. The Company shall not create, incur, assume or
         permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets or
         property of any character, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
         except for Permitted Liens.

                  (c) Asset Dispositions. The Company shall not sell, lease,
         transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets or property, whether
         now owned or hereafter acquired, except in the ordinary course of its
         business. Upon any such sale in the ordinary course of business, the
         Investor will, at the Company's request, release its Lien in any assets
         so sold.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                  (d) Dividends, Redemptions, Etc. The Company shall not (i) pay
         any dividends or make any distributions on its capital stock; (ii)
         purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any of
         its capital stock; (iii) return any capital to any holder of its
         capital stock as such; (iv) make any distribution of assets, capital
         stock, obligations or securities to any holder of its capital stock as
         such; or (v) set apart any sum for any such purpose; except that the
         Company may pay Permitted Dividends.

                  (e) Transactions With Affiliates. The Company shall not enter
         into any Contractual Obligation with any Affiliate or engage in any
         other transaction with any Affiliate except that the Company may (i)
         buy and sell assets to and from its Subsidiaries for fair value and
         (ii) engage in other transactions with its Subsidiaries or with
         Affiliates upon terms at least as favorable to the Company as
         arms-length transactions with unaffiliated Persons.

                  (f) Accounting Changes. The Company shall not change (i) its
         fiscal year (currently January 1 through December 31) or (ii) its
         accounting practices except as required by GAAP.

                  (g) Net Worth Covenant. The Company shall not permit its Net
         Worth, for any fiscal quarter, to be less than $87,500,000.

                  (h) Financing Covenant. As recited in the definition of
         "permitted indebtedness," the total "permitted indebtedness" may only
         be expanded to the extent that the Company's accounts receivable plus
         inventory balances on a consolidated basis less the outstanding balance
         under the Company's current or any future bank syndication and/or
         international working capital lines of credit exceed the amount owed by
         the Company to the Investor. The Company shall submit to Investor
         quarterly certification of compliance with the foregoing financing
         covenant.

                  (i) No Conflicting Agreements. The Company shall not enter
         into or become a party to any agreement if such agreement would cause
         the Company to be in violation of any of its agreements herein.

                                ARTICLE 7 DEFAULT

         7.1. Events of Default. The occurrence or existence of any one or more
of the following shall constitute an "Event of Default" hereunder:

                  (a) The Company shall fail to pay within 15 Business Days of
         when due any principal, interest or other payment required under the
         terms of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents; or

                  (b) The Company shall fail to observe or perform any covenant,
         obligation, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement or the
         other Transaction Documents and such failure shall continue for 15
         Business Days after receipt of written notice of such failure from the
         Investor; or

                                       18

<PAGE>

                  (c) Any material representation, warranty, certificate, or
         other statement (financial or otherwise) made or furnished by or on
         behalf of the Company to the Investor in or in connection with this
         Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, or as an
         inducement to the Investor to enter into this Agreement, shall be
         false, incorrect, incomplete or misleading in any material respect when
         made or furnished; or

                  (d) The Company shall (i) apply for or consent to the
         appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or custodian of itself
         or of all or a substantial part of its property, (ii) be unable, or
         admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts generally as they
         mature, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its or any
         of its creditors, (iv) be dissolved or liquidated, (v) become insolvent
         (as such term may be defined or interpreted under any applicable
         statute), (vi) commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking
         liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or
         its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
         hereafter in effect or consent to any such relief or to the appointment
         of or taking possession of its property by any official in an
         involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or (vii)
         take any action for the purpose of affecting any of the foregoing; or

                  (e) Proceedings for the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
         liquidator or custodian of the Company or of all or a substantial part
         of the property thereof, or an involuntary case or other proceeding
         seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the
         Company or the debts thereof under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other
         similar law now or hereafter in effect shall be commenced and an order
         for relief entered or such proceeding shall not be dismissed or
         discharged within 60 days of commencement; or

                  (f) Any Transaction Document or any material term thereof
         shall cease to be, or be asserted by the Company not to be, a legal,
         valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance
         with its terms; other than as a result of the Investor's own actions or
         inactions; or

                  (g) An "Event of Default" as defined under the senior debt
         agreements shall exist.

         7.2. Remedies. Upon the occurrence or existence of any Event of Default
(other than an Event of Default referred to in Section (d) or (e)) and at any
time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Investor
may by written notice to the Company declare all outstanding Obligations payable
by the Company hereunder to be immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the Notes to the contrary
notwithstanding. Upon the occurrence or existence of any Event of Default
referred to in Section (d) or (e), immediately and without notice all
outstanding Obligations payable by the Company hereunder shall automatically
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any
other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything
contained herein or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. In addition to
the foregoing remedies, upon the occurrence and during the existence of any

                                       19
<PAGE>

Event of Default, the Investor may exercise any right, power or remedy permitted
to it by law, either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both.

              ARTICLE 8 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF INVESTOR

         8.1. Representations and Warranties of the Investor.

         The Investor represents and warrants to the Company as of the date
hereof as follows:

               (a) Purchase for its Own Account. The Investor is purchasing the
Notes for its own account, without a view to the distribution thereof in
violation of the Securities Act, all without prejudice, however, to the right of
such Investor at any time, in accordance with this Agreement or the Transaction
Documents, lawfully to sell or otherwise to dispose of all or any part of either
or both Notes held by it.

               (b) Accredited Investor. The Investor is an "accredited investor"
within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

               (c) Authority, Etc. The Investor has the power and authority to
enter into and perform this Agreement, the Subordination Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the execution and performance
hereof and thereof have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary action.

               (d) Securities Act Compliance. The Investor understands that the
Company has not registered the Notes under the Securities Act, and the Investor
agrees that the Notes may not be sold or transferred or offered for sale or
transfer by it without registration under the Securities Act or the availability
or an exemption therefrom, all as more fully provided in Article 10 hereof.

                        ARTICLE 9 SUBORDINATION OF NOTES

         9.1. Notes and Liens Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness.

         The Company, and the Investor by its acceptance of the Notes, covenant
and agree that the Obligations are hereby expressly made subordinate and subject
in right of payment to the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness. The
Investor agrees to execute and deliver to any creditor of any Senior
Indebtedness a subordination agreement in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

                        ARTICLE 10 TRANSFER OF SECURITIES

         10.1. Restriction on Transfer.

         The Restricted Securities shall not be transferable except a holder of
Restricted Securities may transfer such Restricted Securities upon the
conditions specified in this Article 10, which conditions are intended to insure
compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act in respect of the transfer
thereof.

                                       20
<PAGE>

         10.2. Restrictive Legends.

         Each certificate for the Restricted Securities, and each certificate
for any such securities issued to subsequent transferees of any such
certificate, shall (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of Section 10.3
hereof) be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the
following form:

------------------------------------------------------------
THE  INDEBTEDNESS  EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED
TO THE PRIOR  PAYMENT IN FULL OF ALL SENIOR  INDEBTEDNESS
TO  THE  EXTENT  PROVIDED  IN  THE  SECURITIES   PURCHASE
AGREEMENT   DATED   JULY   6,   2000,    BETWEEN     BELL
MICROPRODUCTS  INC. AND THE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA
(THE  "SECURITIES  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT").  THIS  NOTE MAY
NOT BE SOLD,  TRANSFERRED  OR  OTHERWISE  DISPOSED  OF IN
THE  ABSENCE  OF  SUCH   REGISTRATION   OR  AN  EXEMPTION
THEREFROM.  IN  ADDITION,  THE  TRANSFER  OF THIS NOTE IS
SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS  SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE
SECURITIES PURCHASE  AGREEMENT.  NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE
SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE  UNTIL SUCH  CONDITIONS  HAVE
BEEN  FULFILLED.   A  COPY  OF  THE  SECURITIES  PURCHASE
AGREEMENT  IS  ON  FILE  AND  MAY  BE  INSPECTED  AT  THE
PRINCIPAL  EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER.  THE HOLDER OF
THIS  NOTE,  BY  ACCEPTANCE  OF THIS  NOTE,  AGREES TO BE
BOUND  BY  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THE  SECURITIES  PURCHASE
AGREEMENT.
------------------------------------------------------------

 ---------------------------------------------------------
 NEITHER THIS  CERTIFICATE NOR THE SHARES  EVIDENCED BY
 THIS   CERTIFICATE  HAVE  BEEN  REGISTERED  UNDER  THE
 SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,  OR THE SECURITIES
 LAWS OF ANY STATE.  NEITHER THIS  CERTIFICATE  NOR THE
 SHARES  EVIDENCED  BY THIS  CERTIFICATE  MAY BE  SOLD,
 TRANSFERRED  OR  OTHERWISE  DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE
 OF SUCH  REGISTRATION  OR AN EXEMPTION  THEREFROM.  IN
 ADDITION,  THE TRANSFER OF BOTH THIS  CERTIFICATE  AND
 THE SHARES  EVIDENCED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE  IS SUBJECT
 TO  THE  CONDITIONS  SPECIFIED  IN  ARTICLE  10 OF THE
 SECURITIES   PURCHASE   AGREEMENT  DATED JULY 6,  2000
 BETWEEN  BELL  MIROPRODUCTS  INC.  AND THE  RETIREMENT
 SYSTEMS   OF   ALABAMA   (THE   "SECURITIES   PURCHASE
 AGREEMENT").  NO TRANSFER OF THIS  CERTIFICATE  OR THE
 SECURITIES  EVIDENCED  BY THIS  CERTIFICATE  SHALL  BE
 VALID OR  EFFECTIVE  UNTIL SUCH  CONDITIONS  HAVE BEEN
 FULFILLED.   A  COPY   OF  THE   SECURITIES   PURCHASE
 AGREEMENT  IS ON  FILE  AND  MAY BE  INSPECTED  AT THE
 PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER
 OF THIS CERTIFICATE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS CERTIFICATE,
 AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
 PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
 ---------------------------------------------------------

         10.3.    Notice of Transfer.

               (a) Each holder shall, prior to any Transfer of any Restricted
Securities, give written notice to the Company of such holder's intention to
effect such Transfer and to comply in all other respects with the provisions of
this Section 10.3 in making such proposed Transfer. Each such notice shall
describe the manner and circumstances of the proposed Transfer. Upon request by
the Company, the holder delivering such notice shall deliver a written opinion,
addressed to the Company, of counsel for such holder, stating that in the
opinion of such counsel (which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Company) such proposed Transfer does not involve a transaction requiring
registration of such Restricted Securities under the Securities Act. Such holder
shall thereupon be entitled to transfer the Restricted Securities in accordance
with the terms of the notice delivered to the Company, if the Company does not
reasonably object to such Transfer and request such opinion, within five days
after delivery of such notice or, if the Company does request such opinion, upon
its receipt thereof. Each certificate or other instrument evidencing the
securities issued upon the Transfer of any Restricted Securities (and each

                                       21
<PAGE>

certificate or other instrument evidencing any untransferred balance of such
Restricted Securities) shall bear the legend set forth in Section 10.2 above
unless (i) such opinion of counsel is to the effect that registration of any
future Transfer is not required by the applicable provisions of the Securities
Act or (ii) the Company shall have waived the requirement of such legend.

               (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
10.3, the restrictions imposed by this Section 10.3 upon the transferability of
any Restricted Securities shall cease and terminate when (i) any such Restricted
Securities are sold or otherwise disposed of pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act or as otherwise contemplated by
paragraph (a) above in a manner that does not require that the Restricted
Securities so transferred continue to bear the legend set forth in Section 10.2
above or (ii) the holder of such Restricted Securities has met the requirements
for Transfer of such Restricted Securities under Rule 144(k). Whenever the
restrictions imposed by this Section shall terminate, upon the written request
of the holder of any Restricted Securities as to which such restrictions have
terminated, as promptly as practicable but in any event within ten (10) Business
Days of receipt of such request, the Company shall, without charge, issue,
register and deliver a new instrument not bearing the restrictive legend set
forth in Section 10.3 above and not containing any other reference to the
restrictions imposed by this Section.

               (c) Reference is made to Section 10 of the Warrant for
shelf-registration provisions.

                            ARTICLE 11 MISCELLANEOUS.

         11.1. Notices. Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices,
requests, demands, consents, instructions or other communications to or upon the
Company or the Investor under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents
shall be in writing and faxed, mailed or delivered, if to the Company or the
Investor, at its respective facsimile number or address set forth below. All
such notices and communications shall be effective (a) when sent by Federal
Express or other overnight service of recognized standing, on the Business Day
following the deposit with such service; (b) when mailed via certified mail
return receipt requested postage prepaid and addressed as aforesaid through the
United States Postal Service, upon receipt; (c) when delivered by hand, upon
delivery; and (d) when sent by facsimile, upon confirmation of receipt.

         The Company:      Bell Microproducts Inc.
                           1941 Ringwood Avenue
                           San Jose, California 95131
                           Attention:  Don Bell, President or
                                       Remo Canessa, Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer
                           Facsimile: (408) 451-1694

                                       22
<PAGE>

         The Investor      The Retirement Systems of Alabama
                           P.O. Box 302150
                           135 South Union Street, Ste. 570
                           Montgomery, AL 36130
                           Attn:  Dr. David G. Bronner, CEO
                           Facsimile:  (334) 240-3268

         11.2. Expenses. The Company shall pay within 30 Business Days of a
written demand therefor all reasonable fees and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, incurred by the Investor in the enforcement or
attempted enforcement of any of the Obligations, including, without limitation,
all such fees and expenses incurred in connection with any "workout" or
restructuring affecting the Transaction Documents or the Obligations or any
bankruptcy or similar proceeding involving the Company.

         11.3. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the
Company agrees to protect, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Investor and
its respective officers, employees, agents and any affiliates thereof
("Indemnitees") from and against any liabilities, losses, damages or expenses of
any kind or nature and from any suits, claims or demands (including in respect
of or for reasonable attorney's fees and other expenses) arising on account of
or in connection with any matter or thing or action or failure to act by
Indemnitees, or any of them, arising out of or relating to the Transaction
Documents, including without limitation any use by the Company of any proceeds
of the Notes, except to the extent such liability arises from the willful
misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitees. Upon receiving knowledge of
any suit, claim or demand asserted by a third party that the Investor believes
is covered by this indemnity, the Investor shall give the Company notice of the
matter and an opportunity to defend it, at the Company's sole cost and expense.
Any failure or delay of the Investor to notify the Company of any such suit,
claim or demand shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under this
Section 11.3 but shall reduce such obligations to the extent of any increase in
those obligations caused solely by an such unreasonable failure or delay. The
obligations of the Company under this Section 11.3 shall survive the payment and
performance of the Obligations.

         11.4. Waivers; Amendments. Any term, covenant, agreement or condition
of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document may be amended or waived if
such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Company and the
Investor. No failure or delay by the Investor in exercising any right hereunder
shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other right nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right preclude any other further exercise thereof
or of any other right. Unless otherwise specified in such waiver or consent, a
waiver or consent given hereunder shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

         11.5. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the
Investor, all future holders of the Notes and their respective successors and
permitted assigns, except that the Company may not assign or transfer any of its
rights or obligations under any Transaction Document (other than the
Subordination Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Investor, and
the Investor may only assign or transfer in accordance with Article 10. All
references in this Agreement to any Person shall be deemed to include all
successors and assigns of such Person.

                                       23
<PAGE>

         11.6. No Third Party Rights. Nothing expressed in or to be implied from
this Agreement is intended to give, or shall be construed to give, any Person,
other than the parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns
hereunder, any benefit or legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by
virtue of this Agreement or under or by virtue of any provision herein.

         11.7. Partial Invalidity. If at any time any provision of this
Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under
the law or any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of
the remaining provisions of this Agreement nor the legality, validity or
enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction shall
in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         11.8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
identical counterparts, any set of which signed by all the parties hereto shall
be deemed to constitute a complete, executed original for all purposes.

                          [The signature page follows]

                                       24

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Investor have caused this
Securities Purchase Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above
written.

THE COMPANY:                    BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                By:
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

THE INVESTOR:                   THE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA, on behalf
                                of itself and as agent for, and on behalf of,
                                TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA,
                                EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA,
                                JUDICIAL RETIREMENT FUND, PEIRAF-DEFERRED
                                COMPENSATION PLAN, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INDIVIDUAL
                                RETIREMENT ACCOUNT FUND and STATE
                                EMPLOYEES' HEALTH INSURANCE FUND

                                By:
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                       25

<PAGE>

                                List of Schedules

Schedule 1.1               Transaction Documents

Schedule 5.1(g)            Litigation

Schedule 5.1(n)            Subsidiaries

<PAGE>

                       Bell Microproducts Inc. ("Company")

                   Retirement Systems of Alabama ("Investor")

                  $100,000,000 Subordinated Long-Term Notes and
                      $80,000,000 Subordinated Bridge Notes

                          Closing Date: July ___, 2000

                          Transaction Document Schedule

A.       PRINCIPAL NOTE DOCUMENTS.

         1.       The Securities Purchase Agreement
         2.       $100,000,000 Long-Term Notes:

                  o $79,000,000 Note (Teachers' Retirement Systems of Alabama)
                  o $15,000,000 Note (Employees' Retirement Systems of Alabama)
                  o $2,000,000 Note (Judicial Retirement Fund)
                  o $3,000,000 Note (PEIRAF - Deferred Compensation Plan)
                  o $1,000,000 Note (Public Employees Individual Retirement
                    Account Fund)

         3.       $80,000,000 Bridge Notes:

                  o $58,000,000 Note (Teachers' Retirement Systems of Alabama)
                  o $14,000,000 Note (Employees' Retirement Systems of Alabama)
                  o $3,000,000 Note (PEIRAF - Deferred Compensation Plan)
                  o $5,000,000 Note (State Employees' Health Insurance Fund)

         4.       The Warrant
         5.       The Subordination Agreement

B.       SECURITY DOCUMENTS OF THE COMPANY.

         1.       The Security Agreement
         2.       The Pledge Agreement (respecting North American and South
                  American subsidiaries only) 3. UCC-1 Financing Statements for
                  filing in:

                  o  Arizona
                  o  California
                  o  California - Santa Clara County
                  o  Colorado
                  o  Delaware
                  o  Florida

                                       1

<PAGE>

                  o  Georgia - Cherokee County
                  o  Georgia - Cobb County
                  o  Illinois
                  o  Maryland
                  o  Maryland - Howard County
                  o  Massachusetts
                  o  Massachusetts - Middlesex County
                  o  Minnesota
                  o  New Jersey
                  o  New Jersey - Morris County
                  o  New Jersey - Passaic County
                  o  New York
                  o  New York - Oneida County
                  o  New York - Suffolk County
                  o  Ohio
                  o  Oregon
                  o  Pennsylvania
                  o  Pennsylvania - Montgomery County
                  o  Pennsylvania - Philadelphia County
                  o  Texas
                  o  Utah
                  o  Virginia
                  o  Virginia - Fairfax County
                  o  Washington

C.       SECURITY DOCUMENTS OF BELL MICROPRODUCTS CANADA, INC.

         1.       The Guaranty
         2.       The Security Agreement
         3.       The Pledge Agreement
         4.       UCC-1 Financing Statements for filing in:

o        California

D.       SECURITY DOCUMENTS OF BELL MICROPRODUCTS CANADA - TENEX DATA ULC.

         1.       The Guaranty
         2.       The Security Agreement
         3.       Personal Property Security Act filings for filing in:

                  o  Alberta
                  o  British Columbia
                  o  Manitoba
                  o  New Brunswick

                                       2
<PAGE>

                  o  Nova Scotia
                  o  Ontario
                  o  Saskatchewan

E.       SECURITY DOCUMENTS OF BELL MICROPRODUCTS - FUTURE TECH, INC.

         1.       The Guaranty
         2.       The Security Agreement
         3.       UCC-1 Financing Statements for filing in:

                  o  California
                  o  Florida

F.       SECURITY DOCUMENTS OF RORKE DATA, INC.

         1.       The Guaranty
         2.       The Security Agreement (excluding any European assets and
                  subsidiaries)
         3.       UCC-1 Financing Statements for filing in:

                  o  Minnesota

G.       CORPORATE DOCUMENTS RESPECTING THE COMPANY.

         1.       Certified Articles of Incorporation
         2.       A Certificate of Good Standing from California and Alabama
         3.       A Certificate of the Secretary certifying bylaws, authorizing
                  resolutions and officer incumbency

H.       CORPORATE DOCUMENTS RESPECTING BELL MICROPRODUCTS CANADA, INC.

         1.       Certified Articles of Incorporation
         2.       A Certificate of Good Standing from California
         3.       A Certificate of the Secretary certifying bylaws,
                  authorizing resolutions and officer incumbency

I.       CORPORATE DOCUMENTS RESPECTING BELL MICROPRODUCTS CANADA - TENEX
         DATA ULC.

         1.       Certified copy of the Memorandum of Association and Articles
                  of Association
         2.       A Certificate of Good Standing from Nova Scotia, Canada
         3.       A Certificate of the Secretary certifying authorizing
                  resolutions and officer incumbency

                                       3

<PAGE>

J.       CORPORATE DOCUMENTS RESPECTING BELL MICROPRODUCTS - FUTURE TECH, INC.

         1.       Certified Articles of Incorporation
         2.       A Certificate of Good Standing from California and Florida
         3.       A Certificate of the Secretary certifying bylaws, authorizing
                  resolutions and officer incumbency

K.       CORPORATE DOCUMENTS RESPECTING RORKE DATA, INC.

         1.       Certified Articles of Incorporation
         2.       A Certificate of Good Standing from Minnesota
         3.       A Certificate of the Secretary certifying bylaws,
                  authorizing resolutions and officer incumbency

L.       OPINION.

         A written opinion of outside counsel to Company, dated as of the
         Closing Date, and addressed to the Investor, covering such legal
         matters as is customary regarding Company's due organization,
         authorization and execution of documents.

M.       OTHER ITEMS.

         1.       Certificates of insurance in forms acceptable to the Investor,
                  naming the Investor as a loss payee.
         2.       All fees and expenses of the Investor's legal counsel
                  (maximum of $75,000).

                                       4

<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 5.1(g)

                                   Litigation

         During 1999, the Company filed suit against American Credit Indemnity
("ACI"), its former credit insurer, for recovery of amounts due under claim made
by the Company. ACI has counter sued for rescission of the credit insurance
contract for repayment of claims previously paid. Management has reviewed and
investigated the claims, and while no assurance can be given regarding the
outcome of this matter, management believes that the final outcome of the matter
will not have a material impact on consolidated financial position or results of
operations.

<PAGE>

                                 Schedule 5.1(n)

                                  Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Direct Subsidiaries:
-------------------
                              Jurisdiction of                                Outstanding       Percent
Name                           Incorporation          Classes of Stock          Shares          Owned
----                          ----------------        ----------------       -----------       -------
<S>                             <C>                        <C>                  <C>             <C>
Bell Microproducts              California                 Common                100            100%
Canada, Inc.

Bell Microproducts -            California                 Common               1,000           100%
Future Tech, Inc.

Rorke Data, Inc.                Minnesota                  Common                100            100%

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Indirect Subsidiaries:
---------------------
                              Jurisdiction of                                Outstanding       Percent
Name                           Incorporation        Classes of Stock            Shares         Owned
----                          ----------------      ----------------         -----------       -------
<S>                         <C>                            <C>              <C>                 <C>
Rorke Data Europe               Netherlands                Common                400            100%
Holding B.V.

Rorke Data Europe B.V.          Netherlands                Common                400            100%

Rorke Data Realty B.V.          Netherlands                Common                455            100%

Rorke Data Italy s.r.l.            Italy                   Common             No shares;        100%
                                                                             only capital

Bell Microproducts          Nova Scotia, Canada            Common                101            100%
Canada - Tenex Data ULC

</TABLE>Exhibit 10.2

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                           9% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$79,000,000                                             Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Holder") at its office in
Montgomery, Alabama or at such other place as may be designated from time to
time by the Holder the principal sum of Seventy-Nine Million United States
Dollars ($79,000,000) together with interest on the unpaid principal balance
hereof from the date hereof until this Note is fully paid, at an annual rate of
interest equal to nine percent (9%).

         The outstanding principal balance plus accrued interest under this Note
shall be payable in consecutive semi-annual installments of $2,765,000 plus
accrued interest beginning on December 31, 2000 until and including June 30,
2007; and in semi-annual installments of $6,715,000 plus accrued interest
beginning on December 31, 2007 until and including June 30, 2010. Any and all
principal of the Note remaining unpaid, together with all interest accrued but
unpaid thereon, automatically and unconditionally shall be due and payable in
full on June 30, 2010.

         The Company may prepay this Note from time to time without premium or
penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement. Payments hereunder
shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and then to the
reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is subject to the
Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides for
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees to pay
all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the event this
Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall be
governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand for
payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                           9% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$15,000,000                                          Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Holder") at its office in
Montgomery, Alabama or at such other place as may be designated from time to
time by the Holder the principal sum of Fifteen Million United States Dollars
($15,000,000) together with interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from
the date hereof until this Note is fully paid, at an annual rate of interest
equal to nine percent (9%).

         The outstanding principal balance plus accrued interest under this Note
shall be payable in consecutive semi-annual installments of $525,000 plus
accrued interest beginning on December 31, 2000 until and including June 30,
2007; and in semi-annual installments of $1,275,000 plus accrued interest
beginning on December 31, 2007 until and including June 30, 2010. Any and all
principal of the Note remaining unpaid, together with all interest accrued but
unpaid thereon, automatically and unconditionally shall be due and payable in
full on June 30, 2010.

         The Company may prepay this Note from time to time without premium or
penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement. Payments hereunder
shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and then to the
reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is subject to the
Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides for
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees to pay
all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the event this
Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall be
governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand for
payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                           9% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$2,000,000                                           Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of JUDICIAL
RETIREMENT FUND (the "Holder") at its office in Montgomery, Alabama or at such
other place as may be designated from time to time by the Holder the principal
sum of Two Million United States Dollars ($2,000,000) together with interest on
the unpaid principal balance hereof from the date hereof until this Note is
fully paid, at an annual rate of interest equal to nine percent (9%).

         The outstanding principal balance plus accrued interest under this Note
shall be payable in consecutive semi-annual installments of $70,000 plus accrued
interest beginning on December 31, 2000 until and including June 30, 2007; and
in semi-annual installments of $170,000 plus accrued interest beginning on
December 31, 2007 until and including June 30, 2010. Any and all principal of
the Note remaining unpaid, together with all interest accrued but unpaid
thereon, automatically and unconditionally shall be due and payable in full on
June 30, 2010.

         The Company may prepay this Note from time to time without premium or
penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement. Payments hereunder
shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and then to the
reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is subject to the
Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides for
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees to pay
all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the event this
Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall be
governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand for
payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                           9% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$3,000,000                                            Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of PEIRAF -
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (the "Holder") at its office in Montgomery, Alabama
or at such other place as may be designated from time to time by the Holder the
principal sum of Three Million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) together with
interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from the date hereof until this
Note is fully paid, at an annual rate of interest equal to nine percent (9%).

         The outstanding principal balance plus accrued interest under this Note
shall be payable in consecutive semi-annual installments of $105,000 plus
accrued interest beginning on December 31, 2000 until and including June 30,
2007; and in semi-annual installments of $255,000 plus accrued interest
beginning on December 31, 2007 until and including June 30, 2010. Any and all
principal of the Note remaining unpaid, together with all interest accrued but
unpaid thereon, automatically and unconditionally shall be due and payable in
full on June 30, 2010.

         The Company may prepay this Note from time to time without premium or
penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement. Payments hereunder
shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and then to the
reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is subject to the
Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides for
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees to pay
all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the event this
Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall be
governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand for
payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                           9% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$1,000,000                                         Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT FUND (the "Holder") at its office in
Montgomery, Alabama or at such other place as may be designated from time to
time by the Holder the principal sum of One Million United States Dollars
($1,000,000) together with interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from
the date hereof until this Note is fully paid, at an annual rate of interest
equal to nine percent (9%).

         The outstanding principal balance plus accrued interest under this Note
shall be payable in consecutive semi-annual installments of $35,000 plus accrued
interest beginning on December 31, 2000 until and including June 30, 2007; and
in semi-annual installments of $85,000 plus accrued interest beginning on
December 31, 2007 until and including June 30, 2010. Any and all principal of
the Note remaining unpaid, together with all interest accrued but unpaid
thereon, automatically and unconditionally shall be due and payable in full on
June 30, 2010.

         The Company may prepay this Note from time to time without premium or
penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement. Payments hereunder
shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and then to the
reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is subject to the
Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides for
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees to pay
all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the event this
Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall be
governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand for
payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                         9.125% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$58,000,000                                          Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Holder") at its office in
Montgomery, Alabama or at such other place as may be designated from time to
time by the Holder the principal sum of Fifty-Eight Million United States
Dollars ($58,000,000) together with interest on the unpaid principal balance
hereof from the date hereof until this Note is fully paid, at an annual rate of
interest equal to nine and one-eighth percent (9.125%).

         Accrued interest under this Note shall be payable quarterly on
September 30, 2000, December 31, 2000, March 30, 2001 and June 30, 2001. The
unpaid principal balance of the Note automatically and unconditionally shall be
due and payable in full on June 30, 2001.

         The Company may not prepay this Note prior to January 6, 2001. The
Company may prepay this Note from time to time on or after January 6, 2001
without premium or penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
Payments hereunder shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and
then to the reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is
subject to the Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides
for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees
to pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the
event this Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall
be governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand
for payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                         9.125% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$14,000,000                                            Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Holder") at its office in
Montgomery, Alabama or at such other place as may be designated from time to
time by the Holder the principal sum of Fourteen Million United States Dollars
($14,000,000) together with interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from
the date hereof until this Note is fully paid, at an annual rate of interest
equal to nine and one-eighth percent (9.125%).

         Accrued interest under this Note shall be payable quarterly on
September 30, 2000, December 31, 2000, March 30, 2001 and June 30, 2001. The
unpaid principal balance of the Note automatically and unconditionally shall be
due and payable in full on June 30, 2001.

         The Company may not prepay this Note prior to January 6, 2001. The
Company may prepay this Note from time to time on or after January 6, 2001
without premium or penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
Payments hereunder shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and
then to the reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is
subject to the Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides
for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees
to pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the
event this Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall
be governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand
for payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                         9.125% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$3,000,000                                            Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of PEIRAF -
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (the "Holder") at its office in Montgomery, Alabama
or at such other place as may be designated from time to time by the Holder the
principal sum of Three Million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) together with
interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from the date hereof until this
Note is fully paid, at an annual rate of interest equal to nine and one-eighth
percent (9.125%).

         Accrued interest under this Note shall be payable quarterly on
September 30, 2000, December 31, 2000, March 30, 2001 and June 30, 2001. The
unpaid principal balance of the Note automatically and unconditionally shall be
due and payable in full on June 30, 2001.

         The Company may not prepay this Note prior to January 6, 2001. The
Company may prepay this Note from time to time on or after January 6, 2001
without premium or penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
Payments hereunder shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and
then to the reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is
subject to the Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides
for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees
to pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the
event this Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall
be governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand
for payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE IS SUBORDINATED TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED JULY 6, 2000 BETWEEN BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. AND THE
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"). THIS NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AND MAY BE INSPECTED AT
THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

                         9.125% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE

$5,000,000                                           Dated:  July 6, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC., a
California corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of STATE
EMPLOYEES' HEALTH INSURANCE FUND (the "Holder") at its office in Montgomery,
Alabama or at such other place as may be designated from time to time by the
Holder the principal sum of Five Million United States Dollars ($5,000,000)
together with interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from the date
hereof until this Note is fully paid, at an annual rate of interest equal to
nine and one-eighth percent (9.125%).

         Accrued interest under this Note shall be payable quarterly on
September 30, 2000, December 31, 2000, March 30, 2001 and June 30, 2001. The
unpaid principal balance of the Note automatically and unconditionally shall be
due and payable in full on June 30, 2001.

         The Company may not prepay this Note prior to January 6, 2001. The
Company may prepay this Note from time to time on or after January 6, 2001
without premium or penalty as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
Payments hereunder shall be applied first to the payment of accrued interest and
then to the reduction of principal. This Note is issued pursuant to and is
subject to the Securities Purchase Agreement which, among other things, provides
for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The undersigned agrees
to pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees, in the
event this Note is not paid when due. This Note is being delivered in, and shall
be governed by, the laws of the State of Alabama. Presentment or other demand
for payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

         The Company has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized
officer as of the date first set forth above.

                                       BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

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