Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                 THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                               WAIVER AND CONSENT

         THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND CONSENT
(this "Amendment") is made and entered into as of August 22, 2001 by and among
CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (SOUTHWEST), a Texas corporation ("Lender"), and
EXABYTE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Borrower").

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender are parties to that certain Loan and
Security Agreement dated as of May 16, 2000, as amended by that certain First
Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2000 and
that certain Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of
February 7, 2001 (as amended, the "Agreement");

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender desire to amend the Agreement in the
manner provided below;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

         Section 1.01. Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Amendment, to
the extent not otherwise defined herein, shall have the same meaning as in the
Agreement, as amended hereby.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   AMENDMENTS

         Section 2.01. Amendment to Section 9.15 of the Agreement. Effective as
of the date hereof, Section 9.15 of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated
to read in its entirety as follows:

                  "9.15 Tangible Net Worth. Borrower shall maintain Tangible Net
         Worth of not less than the amounts set forth below as of the end of the
         corresponding quarters set forth below, provided, however, that for the
         purposes of this Section, non-cash write-offs (excluding the write-off
         of current and long term deferred tax assets) taken in accordance with
         GAAP in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 shall be excluded form the
         calculation of Tangible Net Worth:

Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement
<PAGE>   2

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                      Minimum Tangible
                            Period                        Net Worth
                            ------                    ----------------
<S>                                                   <C>
                July 1, 2001 through September           $11,550,000
                30, 2001
                October 1, 2001 through                  $ 8,350,000
                December 31, 2001
                January 1, 2002 through March            $ 8,350,000
                31, 2002
                April 1, 2002 through June 30,           $ 9,000,000
                2002
                July 1, 2002 through September           $10,300,000
                30, 2002
                October 1, 2002 through                  $12,300,000
                December 31, 2002
                January 1, 2003 through March            $ 9,000,000
                31, 2003
</Table>

                                   ARTICLE III
                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         Section 3.01. Conditions Precedent to Amendment. The effectiveness of
this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions
precedent, unless specifically waived by Lender:

                  (a) Lender shall have received the following documents, duly
         executed by the parties thereto:

                  (i) this Amendment;

                  (ii) a Company General Certificate dated as of the date of
         this Amendment, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, certified
         by the Secretary of Borrower certifying among other things, (x) that
         Borrower's Board of Directors has met and has adopted, approved,
         consented to and ratified resolutions which authorize the execution,
         delivery and performance by Borrower of this Amendment and all such
         other loan documents to which it is or is to be a party, and (y) the
         names of the officers of such Borrower authorized to sign this
         Amendment and each of such other loan documents to which it is or
         is to be a party

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Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement
<PAGE>   3

         hereunder (including the certificates contemplated herein) together
         with specimen signatures of such officers;

         (b) The representations and warranties contained herein, in the
Agreement, as amended hereby, and/or in the other documents and agreements
relating hereto or thereto (hereinafter individually referred to as a "Loan
Document" and collectively referred to as the "Loan Documents") shall be true
and correct as of the date hereof as if made on the date hereof;

         (c) Except as waived hereby, no default shall have occurred under the
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and be continuing, unless such
default has been specifically waived in writing by Lender;

         (d) All corporate proceedings taken in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Amendment and all documents, instruments and other legal
matters incident thereto shall be satisfactory to Lender and its legal counsel,
Patton Boggs LLP;

         (e) The financing transaction between Borrower and certain lenders (the
"Bridge Lenders") who are also beneficial owners of capital stock of Ecrix
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Ecrix"), shall have been consummated
pursuant to the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of even date
herewith (the "Bridge Loan Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto (the
"Bridge Loan") and Borrower shall have furnished Lender a copy of a fully
executed counterpart of the Bridge Loan Agreement and the documents and
instruments executed in connection with the Bridge Loan;

         (f) Lender shall have received from Borrower a closing fee for this
Amendment in the amount of $50,000, which fee shall be deemed fully earned and
nonrefundable upon receipt thereof; and

         (g) The Bridge Lenders and Lender shall have executed a Subordination
and Intercreditor Agreement of even date herewith (the "Intercreditor
Agreement") with respect to certain assets of Borrower pursuant to terms and
conditions satisfactory to Lender in its sole discretion.

         Section 3.02. Conditions Precedent to Merger.

         (a) As soon as available, Borrower shall deliver to Lender a copy of
the executed Merger Agreement and related documents (as defined below) and the
Intercreditor Agreement;

         (b) The representations and warranties of Borrower contained herein, in
the Agreement, as amended hereby, and/or in the other documents and agreements
relating hereto or thereto (hereinafter individually referred to as a "Loan
Document" and collectively referred to as the "Loan Documents") and in the
Merger Agreement and related documents, shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the date hereof as if made on the date hereof;

         (c) No default shall have occurred under the Merger Agreement or any of
the documents related to the Merger Agreement, and be continuing, unless such
default has been specifically

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Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement
<PAGE>   4

waived in writing by the parties thereto and each the conditions precedent
thereto shall have been met to the reasonable satisfaction of the parties
thereto and the Lender;

         (d) All corporate proceedings taken in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the related documents shall be
satisfactory to Lender and its legal counsel, Patton Boggs LLP;

         (e) Borrower shall have made such changes and amendments to the
Financing Agreements as Lender may reasonably require to reflect final
consummation and structure of the Merger including but not limited to changes to
Section 9.12 with respect to limitations on distributions, transactions with
affiliates, cash flow and investments in subsidiaries, as Lender may reasonable
request; and

         (e) Lender shall have received a certificate regarding the solvency of
Borrower after giving effect to the Merger, in form and substance satisfactory
to Lender, executed by the chief financial officer of Borrower.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                           LIMITED WAIVER AND CONSENT

         SECTION 4.01. REQUESTED WAIVER. Borrower has requested (a) permission
from the Lender (i)for Borrower to (w) execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under the Bridge Loan Agreement; (x) issue and perform its
obligations pursuant to 12% Subordinated Secured Convertible Notes to Bridge
Lender (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement); (y) grant to
Bridge Lenders a second lien security interest in the assets of Borrower,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement; and (z) use
the proceeds of the Bridge Loan solely for general working capital purposes and
to pay off certain trade creditors of Borrower (all of the foregoing hereinafter
referred to as the "Loan Transaction") and (ii) to enter into, deliver and
perform its obligations under an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger
Agreement") dated as of even date herewith for the merger of a subsidiary of
Borrower with and into Ecrix Corporation ("Ecrix") substantially on the terms of
the Merger Agreement which has been previously supplied to Lender (the
"Merger"), and (iii) for Borrower to (x) issue its Series H Convertible
Preferred Stock (the "Series H Preferred") to the Bridge Lenders and certain
other investors having the rights and preferences set forth in the form of
Certificate of Designations for the Series H Preferred, a copy of which is
attached hereto and (y) use the proceeds from the sale of the Series H Preferred
solely for general working capital purposes and to pay off certain trade
creditors of Borrower (all of the foregoing hereinafter referred to as the
"Preferred Stock Transaction"), (b) that the Lender waive the covenants embodied
in the Loan Agreement to the extent such covenants would be deemed violated due
to execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of the Bridge Loan Agreement
or the Merger Agreement, and the consummation of Merger and the Preferred Stock
Transaction, and (c) waive any default or Event of Default arising as a result
of Borrower's failure to maintain Tangible Net Worth as required pursuant to
Section 9.15 of the Agreement for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2001 and
June 30, 2001.

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Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement
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         SECTION 4.02 WAIVER AND CONSENT. Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein in Article III, and in reliance on the representations and
warranties of Borrower made herein, Lender hereby:

         (a) waives the covenants embodied in the Loan Agreement to the extent
such covenants would be deemed violated solely due to the execution, delivery
and performance by Borrower of the Bridge Loan Agreement or the Merger
Agreement, and the consummation of the Merger and the Preferred Stock
Transaction, provided, that Borrower shall not borrow funds under the Loan
Agreement to pay any type of "break-up" or similar fee required by the Merger
Agreement; and

         (b) waives any default or Event of Default as a result of Borrower's
failure to maintain Tangible Net Worth as required pursuant to Section 9.15 of
the Agreement for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001.

                                   ARTICLE V.
                  RATIFICATIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         Section 5.01. Ratifications. The terms and provisions set forth in this
Amendment shall modify and supersede all inconsistent terms and provisions set
forth in the Agreement and except as expressly modified and superseded by this
Amendment, the terms and provisions of the Agreement are ratified and confirmed
and shall continue in full force and effect.

         Section 6.02. Representations and Warranties. Borrower hereby
represents and warrants to Lender that (i) the execution, delivery and
performance of this Amendment and any and all other Loan Documents executed
and/or delivered in connection herewith have been authorized by all requisite
corporate action on the part of Borrower and will not violate the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Borrower, (ii) the representations and warranties
contained in the Agreement, as amended hereby, and any other Loan Document are
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as though
made on and as of the date hereof, (iii) other than as waived by Lender by this
Amendment or prior documentation, Borrower is in compliance in all material
respects with all covenants and agreements contained in the Agreement, as
amended hereby, and (iv) Borrower has not amended its Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws since May 16, 2000.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         Section 6.01. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made in the Agreement or any other document or
documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, any Loan Document
furnished in connection with this Amendment, shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents, and no investigation by
Lender or any closing shall affect the representations and warranties or the
right of Lender to rely upon them.

                                       5

Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement
<PAGE>   6

         Section 6.02. Reference to Agreement. Each of the Loan Documents,
including the Agreement and any and all other agreements, documents or
instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered pursuant to the terms hereof
or pursuant to the terms of the Agreement as amended hereby, are hereby amended
so that any reference in such Loan Documents to the Agreement shall mean a
reference to the Agreement as amended hereby.

         Section 6.03. Expenses of Lender. As provided in the Agreement,
Borrower agrees to pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by
Lender in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this
Amendment and the other Loan Documents executed pursuant hereto and any and all
amendments, modifications, and supplements thereto, including without limitation
the reasonable costs and fees of Lender's legal counsel, and all reasonable
costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the enforcement or
preservation of any rights under the Agreement, as amended hereby, or any other
Loan Document, including without limitation the reasonable costs and fees of
Lender's legal counsel.

         Section 6.04. Severability. Any provision of this Amendment held by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair
or invalidate the remainder of this Amendment and the effect thereof shall be
confined to the provision so held to be invalid or unenforceable. Furthermore,
in lieu of each such invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added
automatically as a part of this Amendment a valid and enforceable provision that
comes closest to expressing the intention of such invalid or unenforceable
provision.

         SECTION 6.05. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AND ALL OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS EXECUTED PURSUANT HERETO SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE AND TO BE
PERFORMABLE IN DALLAS, TEXAS AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

         Section 6.06. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment is binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of Lender and Borrower and their respective
successors and assigns, except Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Lender.

         Section 6.07. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

         Section 6.08. Effect of Waiver. No consent or waiver, express or
implied, by Lender to or for any breach of or deviation from any covenant or
condition of the Agreement shall be deemed a consent or waiver to or of any
other breach of the same or any other covenant, condition or duty.

         Section 6.09. Headings. The headings, captions, and arrangements used
in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the
interpretation of this Amendment.

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Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement
<PAGE>   7

         SECTION 6.10. NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THE AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE
CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS
OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

         SECTION 6.11 RELEASE. BORROWER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS NO
DEFENSE, COUNTERCLAIM, OFFSET, CROSS-COMPLAINT, CLAIM OR DEMAND OF ANY KIND OR
NATURE WHATSOEVER THAT CAN BE ASSERTED TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE ALL OR ANY PART OF
ITS LIABILITY TO REPAY THE "OBLIGATIONS" OR TO SEEK AFFIRMATIVE RELIEF OR
DAMAGES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE FROM LENDER. BORROWER HEREBY VOLUNTARILY AND
KNOWINGLY RELEASES AND FOREVER DISCHARGES LENDER, ITS PREDECESSORS, AGENTS,
EMPLOYEES, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, FROM ALL POSSIBLE CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS,
CAUSES OF ACTION, DAMAGES, COSTS, EXPENSES, AND LIABILITIES WHATSOEVER, KNOWN OR
UNKNOWN, ANTICIPATED OR UNANTICIPATED, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, FIXED,
CONTINGENT, OR CONDITIONAL, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, ORIGINATING IN WHOLE OR IN PART
ON OR BEFORE THE DATE THIS AMENDMENT IS EXECUTED, WHICH THE BORROWER MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE AGAINST LENDER, ITS PREDECESSORS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS, IF ANY, AND IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER ANY SUCH CLAIMS ARISE OUT OF
CONTRACT, TORT, VIOLATION OF LAW OR REGULATIONS, OR OTHERWISE, AND ARISING FROM
ANY "LOANS", INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY CONTRACTING FOR, CHARGING,
TAKING, RESERVING, COLLECTING OR RECEIVING INTEREST IN EXCESS OF THE HIGHEST
LAWFUL RATE APPLICABLE, THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UNDER THE LOAN
AGREEMENT OR OTHER AGREEMENTS, AND NEGOTIATION FOR AND EXECUTION OF THIS
AMENDMENT.

      [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

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Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement
<PAGE>   8

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed by Borrower
and Lender to be effective as of the date first above written.

LENDER:                                      BORROWER:

CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION               EXABYTE CORPORATION
(SOUTHWEST)

By:                                          By:
   ------------------------------               -------------------------------
Name:                                        Name:
     ----------------------------                 -----------------------------
Title:                                       Title:
      ---------------------------                  ----------------------------

ADDRESS:                                     CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE:

1201 Main Street, Suite 1625                 1685 38th Street
Dallas, Texas 75202                          Boulder, Colorado 80229

Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21

                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

         THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT is made as of August 22, 2001, by and
between Exabyte Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Borrower") and the lenders
named on the signature page hereto (collectively, "Lenders").

                                    RECITALS

         A. Borrower, Exabyte Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Ecrix
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Ecrix") and certain lenders and certain
investors signatory thereto have entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as amended from time to time, the "Merger
Agreement") providing for the merger of Exabyte Acquisition, Inc. with and into
Ecrix (the "Merger").

         B. Borrower desires to obtain from Lenders loans in the maximum
aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000, consisting of initial loans in the
aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000 (the "Initial Loans"), and additional
loans in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000 to be made contingent upon
Borrower's satisfying certain funding conditions (the "Contingent Loans" and,
together with the Initial Loans, the "Loans").

         C. Lenders have required, as a condition to the making of the Loans,
that Borrower grant to Lenders a security interest in certain tangible and
intangible property in which Borrower has or may in the future have rights, and
Borrower is willing to do so as an inducement to Lenders to make the Loans.

                                   AGREEMENTS

         In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Borrower and Lenders agree as
follows:

                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have
the following meanings:

         "Accounts" means all present and future rights of Borrower to payment
for goods sold or leased or for services rendered, which are not evidenced by
instruments or chattel paper, and whether or not earned by performance.

<PAGE>   2

         "Business Day" is any day other than Saturday, Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in the State of Colorado are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.

         "CFC" means Congress Financial Corporation (Southwest), a Texas
corporation.

         "Congress Loan Agreement" means the Loan and Security Agreement by and
between CFC and Borrower dated May 16, 2000, as amended to the date hereof and
as may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated
or replaced.

         "Equipment" means all of Borrower's now owned and hereafter acquired
equipment, machinery, computers and computer hardware and software (whether
owned or licensed), vehicles, tools, furniture, fixtures, all attachments,
accessions and property now or hereafter affixed thereto or used in connection
therewith, and substitutions and replacements thereof, wherever located.

         "Intercreditor Agreement" shall mean the Intercreditor Agreement of
even date herewith among CFC, the Lenders and Borrower.

         "Inventory" means all of Borrower's now owned and hereafter existing or
acquired raw materials, work in process, finished goods and all other inventory
of whatsoever kind or nature, wherever located.

         "Loan Documents" shall mean the Notes (as defined below), this
Agreement, and all other security agreements and other agreements, instruments
and documents executed and delivered in connection with, or to secure Borrower's
obligations under, the Loans, as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended,
modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

         "Majority of Lenders" shall mean the holder or holders of Notes at the
relevant time (excluding Borrower) of more than 50% in outstanding principal
amount of the aggregate Secured Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes.

         "Person" shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership,
corporation (including any corporation which elects subchapter S status under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), limited liability company,
limited liability partnership, business trust, unincorporated association, joint
stock corporation, trust, joint venture or other entity or any government or any
agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof.

         "Records" means all of Borrower's present and future books of account
of every kind or nature, purchase and sale agreements, invoices, ledger cards,
bills of lading and other shipping evidence, statements, correspondence,
memoranda, credit files and other data relating to the Collateral or any account
debtor, together with the tapes, disks, diskettes and other data and software
storage media and devices, file cabinets or containers in or on which the
foregoing are stored (including any rights of Borrower with respect to the
foregoing maintained with or by any other person).

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

         "Secured Indebtedness" means any and all Loans and all other
obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of every kind, nature and description
owing by Borrower to Lenders and/or their Permitted Assignees, including (i) all
principal and interest (including Additional Interest (as defined in the Notes))
under the Notes, (ii) all fees, expenses, and charges (including but not limited
to indemnification and reimbursement obligations and reasonable attorneys' fees)
payable under the Loan Documents, and (iii) all amounts now or hereafter
advanced by Lenders to or for the benefit of Borrower, whether arising under
this Agreement, the Notes or otherwise, whether now existing or hereafter
arising, and whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, joint or
several, due or not due, primary or secondary, liquidated or unliquidated,
secured or unsecured, and however acquired by Lenders.

 1. LOANS

         1.1 Loan Amounts. Subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth
below, each Lender shall lend and advance to Borrower Loans in the amounts set
forth opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1 hereto, in an aggregate
principal amount for all Lenders not to exceed $2,000,000; provided, however,
that the aggregate principal amount of the (a) Initial Loans for all Lenders
shall not exceed $1,500,000, and (b) Contingent Loans, if any, for all Lenders
shall not exceed $500,000.

         1.2 Notes. On the date of the Initial Loans and the Contingent Loans,
if any, Borrower shall execute and deliver to each Lender promissory notes
substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, in a principal amount
equal to the amount of the Loans funded by such Lender on such date (the "Face
Amount"), with blanks appropriately completely in conformity herewith (each, a
"Note," and together, the "Notes"). The Notes shall be convertible into common
stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Borrower (the "Common Stock") upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Notes.

         1.3 Disbursements.

                (a) The Initial Loans shall be disbursed by Lenders to Borrower
on the business day following the date hereof.

                (b) The Contingent Loans shall be disbursed by Lenders to
Borrower on a date mutually agreeable to Borrower and Lenders, which date shall
be no earlier than (i) forty-five days after the date hereof and (ii) two
Business Days after Borrower shall have certified to Lenders that:

                (A)        The representations and warranties of Borrower
                           contained in Section 3 hereof (I) that are expressly
                           qualified by a reference to materiality shall be true
                           in all respects as so qualified when made and as of
                           such date of certification and (II) that are not so
                           qualified shall be true and correct in all material
                           respects when made and as of such date of
                           certification.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

                (B)        Borrower shall have performed in all material
                           respects all obligations and agreements and complied
                           in all material respects with all covenants contained
                           in this Agreement and in the Merger Agreement to be
                           performed and complied with by Borrower at or prior
                           to the disbursement of the Contingent Loans.

                (C)        No Event of Default shall have occurred and be
                           continuing.

                (D)        Borrower shall have prepared and filed with the
                           Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration
                           Statement on Form S-4 to register all shares of
                           Borrower's Common Stock issuable at the closing of
                           the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

                (E)        Since the date of this Agreement and through the date
                           on which the Contingent Loans are disbursed, there
                           has not occurred any Parent Material Adverse Effect
                           (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement).

                (F)        No judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance,
                           rule or regulation entered, enacted, promulgated,
                           enforced or issued by any court or other governmental
                           entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal
                           restraint or prohibition shall be in effect
                           preventing the making of the Loans or the other
                           transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or
                           the Merger Agreement, and no litigation,
                           investigation or administrative proceeding shall be
                           pending or threatened which would enjoin, restrain,
                           condition or prevent the consummation of the
                           transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or
                           the Merger Agreement.

                (c) Each Loan shall be disbursed by certified check or wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the account of Borrower, as specified
by Borrower in a written notice delivered to each Lender not less than one
Business Day prior to the disbursement date.

                (d) Lenders' obligations to make the Loans hereunder shall be
subject to the receipt of (1) UCC-1 financing statements and other instruments
evidencing the security interest granted in favor of Lenders in Section 2 below;
(2) an opinion of outside counsel to Borrower, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to a Majority of Lenders, with respect to (i) the organization and
good standing of Borrower, (ii) the corporate authority for execution, delivery
and enforceability of the Loan Documents, (iii) the due authorization,
execution, delivery and enforceability of the Loan Documents, (iv) no conflict,
violation or default under Borrower's Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws,
or any law, rule or order resulting from Borrower's execution, delivery and
performance of the Loan Documents and (v) the Loan Documents creating a valid
security interest in the Collateral (as defined herein) in favor of the Lenders;
(3) an opinion of the General Counsel of Borrower, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to a Majority of Lenders, with respect to no conflict,

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

violation or default under any material agreement of Borrower resulting from
Borrower's execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents; and (4)
such other resolutions, certificates and documents as Lenders may reasonably
request relating to the organization, existence, good standing and foreign
qualification of Borrower, the corporate authority for the execution, delivery
and enforceability of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and such other
matters relevant to the foregoing.

         1.4 Repayment of Loans. All amounts advanced by Lenders under the Loans
shall bear interest from the date advanced at the initial rate of 12% per annum,
plus additional interest on the terms provided in the Notes. The principal
amount of Loans and the interest thereon shall be repaid as provided in the
Notes. Borrower may voluntarily prepay the principal amount under the Notes, in
whole or in part, without penalty or premium to Borrower. Any Loans repaid by
Borrower shall not be permitted to be reborrowed.

         1.5 Business Days. Whenever any payment or other Secured Indebtedness
hereunder or under any Note shall become due on a day that is not a Business
Day, the due date therefor shall be extended to the next succeeding Business
Day.

 2. CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST

         2.1 Grant of Security Interest. As security for the payment when due of
the Secured Indebtedness and the prompt and complete performance by Borrower of
its obligations under the Loan Documents, Borrower hereby assigns and pledges to
Lender, and grants to Lenders a continuing security interest, lien and mortgage
in and to all right, title and interest of Borrower in and to all the following
property, whether now or hereafter owned, existing or arising and regardless of
where located, and in which Borrower may now or hereafter have rights (all being
collectively referred to as the "Collateral"):

                (a) Accounts;

                (b) all present and future contract rights, general intangibles
(including tax and duty refunds, registered and unregistered patents,
trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade names, applications for the
foregoing, trade secrets, good will, processes, drawings, blueprints, customer
lists, licenses, whether as licensor or licensee, choses in action and other
claims and existing and future leasehold interests in equipment, real estate and
fixtures), chattel paper, documents, instruments, securities and other
investment property, letters of credit, bankers' acceptances and guaranties;

                (c) all present and future monies, securities, credit balances,
deposits, deposit accounts and other property of Borrower now or hereafter held
or received by or in transit to Lenders or their affiliates or at any other
depository or other institution from or for the account of Borrower, whether for
safekeeping, pledge, custody, transmission, collection or otherwise, and all
present and future liens, security interests, rights, remedies, title and
interest in, to and in respect of Accounts and other Collateral,

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

including (i) rights and remedies under or relating to guaranties, contracts of
suretyship, letters of credit and credit and other insurance related to the
Collateral, (ii) rights of stoppage in transit, replevin, repossession,
reclamation and other rights and remedies of an unpaid vendor, lienor or secured
party, (iii) goods described in invoices, documents, contracts or instruments
with respect to, or otherwise representing or evidencing, Accounts or other
Collateral, including returned, repossessed and reclaimed goods, and (iv)
deposits by and property of account debtors or other persons securing the
obligations of account debtors;

                (d) Inventory;

                (e) Records; and

                (f) all products and proceeds of the foregoing, in any form,
including insurance proceeds and all claims against third parties for loss or
damage to or destruction of any or all of the foregoing.

         2.2 Borrower Remains Liable. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, (i) Borrower shall remain liable under all contracts and
agreements included in the Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to
perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if
this Agreement had not been executed, (ii) the exercise by Lenders of any of
their rights hereunder shall not release Borrower from any of its duties or
obligations under any of the contracts and agreements included in the
Collateral, and (iii) Lenders shall not have any obligation or liability under
any of the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this
Agreement, nor shall Lenders be obligated to perform any of the obligations or
duties of Borrower thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any
claim for payment assigned hereunder.

 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BORROWER

         Borrower represents and warrants to Lenders as follows:

         3.1 Locations. Schedule 3.1 hereto lists the addresses of the (a) chief
executive offices of Borrower and the place where Borrower keeps its records
concerning the Collateral and all originals of all chattel paper included in the
Collateral and (b) the location of substantially all of the other Collateral
(collectively, the "Premises")

         3.2 Perfection and Priority of Liens. Upon the execution and delivery
hereof, this Agreement shall have created a valid lien in all of the Collateral
in favor of Lenders, subject to no prior or superior liens other than the liens
permitted under Section 4.1 hereof.

         3.3 Title to Collateral. Borrower is and shall continue to be, so long
as the Secured Indebtedness shall be unpaid, the sole owner of the Collateral
free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, and claims,
except for (a) the liens and security interests granted herein and (b) liens
permitted under Section 4.1 hereof, with full

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

power and authority to sell, transfer, pledge and grant to Lenders a security
interest in each and every item of the Collateral.

         3.4 Organization and Qualification. Borrower is a corporation
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware, and
is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each state in which
the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would have a material adverse
effect on the business, operations, properties or condition (financial or other)
of Borrower.

         3.5 Authorization. The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower
of each of the Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party are within Borrower's
corporate powers, and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action. Each of the Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party constitutes the
legal, valid, and binding obligation of Borrower enforceable against Borrower in
accordance with its terms. Borrower has authorized and reserved for issuance
2,600,000 shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes. All shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes shall, when issued, by duly
and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens
and charges.

         3.6 No Conflict. Neither Borrower's execution and delivery of, nor its
performance under any of the Loan Documents does or will (a) contravene,
conflict with, or violate (i) the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of
Borrower, or (ii) any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction,
decree, determination or award presently in effect having applicability to it,
or (b) contravene, conflict with or violate in any material respect, or (with or
without the passage of time or giving of notice, or both) constitute or result
in a breach or default under any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any
other material agreement, lease or instrument to which it is a party or by which
it or its properties may be bound or affected.

         3.7 Approvals. No authorization or approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with any governmental authority or regulatory body or any
other person is required to be obtained or made by Borrower for the due
execution, delivery, and performance of any of the Loan Documents to which it is
a party, except for the consent of CFC pursuant to the Congress Loan Agreement,
and the consents of third parties to certain leases and agreements in which
Borrower is granting a security interest hereunder.

         3.8 Actions Pending. There is no action or proceeding pending or, to
the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower or any of its properties
or rights before any court or governmental or administrative instrumentality
which, if determined adversely to Borrower, could reasonably be expected to
result in a material adverse change in its ability to perform its obligations
under the Loan Documents to which it is a party or its financial condition or
operations, business, or properties taken as a whole.

         3.9 Accounts. Borrower is the true and lawful owner of the Accounts,
and has, or at the time each Account comes into existence will have, good and
clear title to each Account, subject to the rights of CFC and Lenders thereto.
Each Account is, or at the

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

time it comes into existence will be, (i) a valid obligation of the account
debtor enforceable in accordance with its terms, and to the best of Borrower's
knowledge and belief, free and clear of all liens, security interests,
restrictions, set-offs, adverse claims, assessments, defaults, prepayments,
defenses and conditions precedent other than the security interest created and
granted hereby, and (ii) a true and correct statement of the account for
merchandise actually sold and delivered to, or for actual services performed for
and accepted by, such account debtor.

         3.10 Solvency. On the date hereof and after giving effect to the
Secured Indebtedness created by the Notes, on a consolidated basis, the fair
saleable value of the property of Borrower on a going concern basis is greater
that the total amount of liabilities (including contingent and unliquidated
liabilities) of Borrower on the date hereof. In computing the amount of
contingent or liquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities will be
computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances
existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to
become an actual or matured liability.

         3.11 Representations in Merger Agreement. The representations and
warranties of Borrower contained in the Merger Agreement (as modified by the
Disclosure Memorandum, as defined in the Merger Agreement) (a) that are
expressly qualified by a reference to materiality are true in all respects as so
qualified as of the date hereof and (b) that are not so qualified are true and
correct in all material respects as of the date hereof, and are incorporated
herein by reference with the same force and effect as though herein set forth in
full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the condition set forth in this Section
3.11 shall be deemed to be satisfied if such breaches of Borrower's
representations and warranties (if any) do not have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or a material diminution of benefits
expected to be realized by Ecrix as a result of the Merger.

 4. COVENANTS OF BORROWER

         4.1 Encumbrances. Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any lien, security interest, mortgage, pledge or other charge or
encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon or with respect to any of the
Collateral, except: (i) liens and security interests of Lenders; (ii) liens
securing the payment of taxes, either not yet overdue or the validity of which
are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued
and available to Borrower and with respect to which adequate reserves have been
set aside on its books; (iii) nonconsensual statutory liens (other than liens
securing the payment of taxes) arising in the ordinary course of Borrower's
business to the extent: (A) such liens secure indebtedness which is not overdue
or (B) such liens secure indebtedness relating to claims or liabilities which
are fully insured and being defended at the sole cost and expense and at the
sole risk of the insurer or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings diligently pursued and available to Borrower, in each case prior to
the commencement of foreclosure or other similar proceedings and with respect to
which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books; (iv) zoning
restrictions, easements, licenses, covenants and other restrictions affecting
the use of real property which do not interfere in any material

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

respect with the use of such real property or ordinary conduct of the business
of Borrower as presently conducted thereon or materially impair the value of the
real property which may be subject thereto; (v) purchase money security
interests in Equipment (including capital leases) and purchase money mortgages
on real estate not to exceed $5,500,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding
so long as such security interests and mortgages do not apply to any property of
Borrower other than the Equipment or real estate so acquired, and the
indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of the Equipment or real
estate so acquired, as the case may be; (vi) the liens and security interests
set forth on Schedule 4.1 hereto; and (vii) the liens and security interests
arising under the Congress Loan Agreement.

         4.2 Indebtedness. Borrower shall not incur, create, assume, guarantee,
become contingently liable in connection with, or suffer to exist any
indebtedness on the part of Borrower, except (i) the Secured Indebtedness, (ii)
trade obligations and normal accruals in the ordinary course of business, or
with respect to which Borrower is contesting in good faith the amount or
validity thereof by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to
Borrower, and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its
books; (iii) purchase money indebtedness (including capital leases) to the
extent not incurred or secured by liens (including capital leases) in violation
of any other provision of this Agreement; (iv) the indebtedness set forth on
Schedule 4.2 hereto; (v) the indebtedness existing on the date hereof under the
Congress Loan Agreement; and (vi) other unsecured indebtedness, which is
subordinate in right of payment to the full and final payment of all of the
Secured Indebtedness, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as are
satisfactory to the Majority of Lenders in their sole discretion, provided,
that, with respect to the indebtedness described in clauses (iv) and (vi), (a)
Borrower may only make regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest in
respect of such indebtedness in accordance with the terms of the agreement or
instrument evidencing or giving rise to such indebtedness as in effect on the
date hereof or, with respect to indebtedness described in clause (vi), on the
date of issuance thereof, (b) Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, (I)
amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such indebtedness or any agreement,
document or instrument related thereto as in effect on the date hereof, or; or
(II) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire such indebtedness,
or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (c)
Borrower shall furnish to Lenders all notices or demands in connection with such
indebtedness either received by Borrower or on its behalf, promptly after the
receipt thereof, or sent by Borrower or on its behalf, concurrently with the
sending thereof, as the case may be.

         4.3 Sale of Assets, Consolidation, Merger, Dissolution, Etc Borrower
shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) merge into or with or consolidate with
any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or with or consolidate
with it (other than the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement), or (b)
sell, assign, lease, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of any stock (other
than capital stock in Borrower) or indebtedness to any other Person or any of
its assets to any other Person (except for (i) sales of Inventory in the
ordinary course of business and (ii) the disposition of worn-out or obsolete
Equipment or Equipment no longer used in the business of Borrower so long as (A)
if an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, any proceeds
are

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

paid to Lenders and (B) such sales do not involve Equipment having an aggregate
fair market value in excess of $550,000 for all such Equipment disposed of in
any fiscal year of Borrower), or (c) form or acquire any subsidiaries, or (d)
wind up, liquidate or dissolve or (e) agree to do any of the foregoing.

         4.4 Loans, Investments, Guarantees, Etc. Borrower shall not, directly
or indirectly, make any loans or advance money or property to any person, or
invest in (by capital contribution, dividend or otherwise) or purchase or
repurchase the stock or indebtedness or all or a substantial part of the assets
or property of any person, or guarantee, assume, endorse, or otherwise become
responsible for (directly or indirectly) the indebtedness, performance,
obligations or dividends of any Person or agree to do any of the foregoing,
except: (a) the endorsement of instruments for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business; (b) investments in: (i) short-term direct
obligations of the United States Government, (ii) negotiable certificates of
deposit issued by any bank satisfactory to the Majority of Lenders, payable to
the order of the Borrower or to bearer and delivered to Lenders, and (iii)
commercial paper rated A1 or P1; provided, that, as to any of the foregoing,
unless waived in writing by a Majority of Lenders, Borrower shall take such
actions as are deemed necessary by a Majority of Lenders to perfect the security
interest of Lenders in such investments, (c) loans or advances to Borrower's
subsidiaries not exceeding $1,100,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time,
and (d) the loans, advances and guarantees set forth on Schedule 4.4 hereto;
provided, that, as to such loans, advances and guarantees, (i) Borrower shall
not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change the terms of
such loans, advances or guarantees or any agreement, document or instrument
related thereto, or (B) as to such guarantees, redeem, retire, defease, purchase
or otherwise acquire the obligations arising pursuant to such guarantees, or set
aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (ii)
Borrower shall furnish to Lenders all notices or demands in connection with such
loans, advances or guarantees or other indebtedness subject to such guarantees
either received by Borrower or on its behalf, promptly after the receipt
thereof, or sent by Borrower or on its behalf, concurrently with the sending
thereof, as the case may be.

         4.5 Dividends and Redemptions. Borrower shall not, directly or
indirectly, declare or pay any dividends on account of any shares of class of
capital stock of Borrower now or hereafter outstanding, or set aside or
otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, or redeem, retire,
defease, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of any class of capital stock
(or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose) for any
consideration other than common stock or apply or set apart any sum, or make any
other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise) in respect of any such
shares or agree to do any of the foregoing.

         4.6 Financial Statements and Other Information.

                (a) Borrower shall keep proper books and records in which true
and complete entries shall be made of all dealings or transactions of or in
relation to the Collateral and the business of Borrower and its subsidiaries (if
any) in accordance with GAAP and Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished
to Lenders: (i) within forty-

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

five (45) days after the end of each fiscal month, monthly unaudited
consolidated financial statements, and, if Borrower has any subsidiaries,
unaudited consolidating financial statements (including in each case balance
sheets and statements of income and loss, and, in the case of the third, sixth,
ninth and twelfth months of Borrower's fiscal year, and such other months as, at
any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
a Majority of Lenders shall request, statements of cash flow, and statements of
shareholders' equity), all in reasonable detail, fairly presenting the financial
position and the results of the operations of Borrower and its subsidiaries as
of the end of and through such fiscal month and (ii) within ninety (90) days
after the end of each fiscal year, audited consolidated financial statements
and, if Borrower has any subsidiaries, audited consolidating financial
statements of Borrower and its subsidiaries (including in each case balance
sheets, statements of income and loss, statements of cash flow and statements of
shareholders' equity), and the accompanying notes thereto, all in reasonable
detail, fairly presenting the financial position and the results of the
operations of Borrower and its subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal
year, together with the unqualified opinion of independent certified public
accountants, which accountants shall be (A) one of the national accounting firms
presently considered as one of the five largest (or their successor), or (B) an
independent accounting firm selected by Borrower and reasonably acceptable to a
Majority of Lenders, that such financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP, and present fairly the results of operations and financial
condition of Borrower and its subsidiaries as of the end of and for the fiscal
year then ended.

                (b) Borrower shall promptly notify Lenders in writing of the
details of (i) any loss, damage, investigation, action, suit, proceeding or
claim relating to the Collateral or any other property which is security for the
Secured Indebtedness or which would result in any material adverse change in
Borrower's business, properties, assets, goodwill or condition, financial or
otherwise and (ii) the occurrence of any Event of Default or event which, with
the passage of time or giving of notice or both, would constitute an Event of
Default.

                (c) Borrower shall promptly after the sending or filing thereof
furnish or cause to be furnished to Lenders copies of all reports which Borrower
sends to its stockholders generally and copies of all reports and registration
statements which Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, any
national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.

                (d) Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished to Lenders
such budgets, forecasts, projections and other information respecting the
Collateral and the business of Borrower, as Lenders may, from time to time,
reasonably request. Lenders are hereby authorized to deliver a copy of any
financial statement or any other information relating to the business of
Borrower to any court or other government agency or, upon prior written notice
to Borrower or upon obtaining an agreement from such Person to maintain the
confidentiality of such information, to any participant or assignee or
prospective participant or assignee. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and
directs all accountants or auditors to deliver to Lenders, at Borrower's
expense,

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

copies of the financial statements of Borrower and any reports or management
letters prepared by such accountants or auditors on behalf of Borrower and to
disclose to Lenders such information as they may have regarding the business of
Borrower. Any documents, schedules, invoices or other papers delivered to
Lenders may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by Lenders one (1) year after
the same are delivered to Lenders, except as otherwise designated by Borrower to
Lenders in writing.

         4.7 Location of Offices; Inspection. Borrower shall keep its chief
executive offices and the office where it keeps its records concerning the
Collateral and all originals of all chattel paper included in the Collateral at
the locations specified in Section 3.1 or, upon 30 days' prior written notice to
Lenders, at locations in a jurisdiction in which all action required by Section
4.8 shall have been taken with respect to the Collateral. Borrower shall hold
and preserve such records and chattel paper and permit representatives of
Lenders at any time during Borrower's normal business hours to inspect and make
abstracts from and copies of such records and chattel paper.

         4.8 Further Assurances.

                (a) Further Actions. Borrower shall from time to time, at its
sole expense, promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and
documents, and take all further actions, as may be necessary and desirable, or
that a Majority of Lenders may reasonably request, in order to perfect and
protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby, or to
enable Lenders to exercise and enforce their rights and remedies hereunder with
respect to any Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Borrower shall execute and file such financing or continuation statements, or
amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices as a Majority of
Lenders may request, in order to perfect and preserve the security interests
granted or purported to be granted hereby.

                (b) Financing Statements. Borrower authorizes Lenders to file
without the signature of Borrower (where permitted by law) one or more financing
or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part
of the Collateral. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this
Agreement or any financing statement covering the Collateral or any part thereof
shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

         4.9 Insurance. Borrower shall, at its own expense, at all times
maintain with financially sound reputable insurers insurance with respect to the
Equipment and Inventory in such amounts, against such risks and in amounts
customarily insured against or carried by entities of established reputation
engaged in the same or similar businesses and similarly situated. Borrower shall
furnish certificates or endorsements to Lenders as a Majority of Lenders shall
require as proof of such insurance, and, if Borrower fails to do so, Lenders are
authorized, but not required, to obtain such insurance at the expense of
Borrower. All policies shall provide for at least thirty (30) days' prior
written notice to Lenders of any cancellation or reduction of coverage. Borrower
shall cause Lenders to be named as a loss payee and an additional insured under
such insurance policies. At its option, Lenders may apply any insurance proceeds
received

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

by Lenders at any time to the cost of repairs or replacement of Collateral
and/or to payment of the Secured Indebtedness, whether or not then due, in any
order and in such manner as a Majority of Lenders may determine or hold such
proceeds as cash collateral for the Secured Indebtedness.

         4.10 Equipment and Inventory.  Borrower shall:

                (a) Keep the Equipment and Inventory (other than Inventory sold
in the ordinary course of business) at the places therefor specified in
Section 3.1.

                (b) Cause the Equipment to be maintained and preserved in good
condition, repair and working order, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

                (c) Pay promptly when due all property and other taxes,
assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims
(including claims for labor, materials and supplies) against, the Equipment and
Inventory, except to the extent the validity thereof is being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings, and adequate reserves for payment thereof are
maintained.

         4.11 Accounts.

                (a) Collection of Accounts. Borrower is authorized to collect
the Accounts at no cost or expense to Lenders, subject to the rights of Lenders
to collect the Accounts as hereinafter provided, and Borrower shall collect with
diligence all Accounts. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which is
continuing, Borrower shall, if so directed by a Majority of Lenders, advise
account debtors to make all future remittances and payments to a post office box
maintained under the sole and absolute control of Lenders. Notwithstanding and
in addition to the foregoing, Lenders shall have the right at any time, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, upon written notice to
Borrower of their intention to do so, to notify the account debtors or obligors
under any Accounts of the assignment of such Accounts to Lenders and to direct
such account debtors or obligors to make payment of all amounts due or to become
due to Borrower thereunder directly to Lenders and, upon such notification and
at the expense of Borrower, to enforce collection of any such Accounts, and to
adjust, settle or compromise the amount of payment thereof, in the same manner
and to the same extent as Borrower might have done.

 5. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF LENDERS

         5.1 Lenders as Attorney-in-Fact. Effective upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default which is continuing, Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints
Meritage Private Equity Fund, L.P. ("MPEF"), on behalf of the Lenders, as
Borrower's attorney-in-fact, such appointment coupled with an interest, with
full authority in the place and stead of Borrower and in the name of Borrower,
Lenders or otherwise, from time to time in MPEF's discretion, to take any action
and to execute any instrument which Lenders may deem necessary or advisable to
accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including but not limited to the
following:

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

                (a) to obtain and adjust insurance proceeds required to be paid
to Lenders pursuant to Section 4.9;

                (b) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise,
receive and give acquittance and receipts for monies due and to become due under
or in respect of any of the Collateral;

                (c) to receive, indorse, and collect any drafts or other
instruments, documents and chattel paper, in connection with the clauses (a) or
(b) above; and

                (d) to file any claims or take any action or institute any
proceedings which Lenders may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of
any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of Lenders with respect
to any of the Collateral.

         5.2 Lenders May Perform. If Borrower shall fail to perform any covenant
or obligation contained herein or in any of the Loan Documents, MPEF, on behalf
of the Lenders, may itself perform, or cause performance of, such covenant or
obligation and the reasonable expenses of MPEF incurred in connection therewith
shall be payable by Borrower under Section 8.2.

 6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an "Event of
Default" hereunder:

                (a) Monetary Default. Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any
installment of principal when due or (ii) any installment of interest under any
Note when due and such failure to pay is not cured within 5 days after such
failure.

                (b) Default of Covenants. Borrower shall fail or refuse to
perform any covenant or obligation stated in this Agreement or in any other Loan
Document, other than monetary obligations or covenants described in paragraph
(a) of this Article 6, and shall fail to cure such default within 15 days after
notice by a Lender to Borrower of such default.

                (c) Judgments. Any judgment for the payment of money is rendered
against Borrower in excess of $165,000 in any one case or in excess of $220,000
in the aggregate and shall remain undischarged or unvacated for a period in
excess of 30 days or execution shall at any time not be effectively stayed, or
any judgment other than for the payment of money, or injunction, attachment,
garnishment or execution with respect to any judgment or judgments in excess of
the above amounts is rendered against Borrower or any of its assets.

                (d) Voluntary Insolvency. Borrower shall commence (by petition,
application, or otherwise) a voluntary case or other proceeding under the laws
of any jurisdiction 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 seeking the appointment of a trustee,
self-trusteeship, receiver, custodian, or

                                       14
<PAGE>   15

other similar official of it or any substantial part o fits property, or shall
consent (by answer or failure to answer or otherwise) to any such relief or to
the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary
case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make an assignment for
the benefit of creditors, or shall generally not pay its debts as they become
due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become
due, or shall take any action to authorize any of the foregoing.

                (e) Involuntary Insolvency. An involuntary case or other
proceeding shall be commenced under the laws of any jurisdiction against
Borrower seeking liquidation, reorganization, or other relief with respect to it
or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
custodian, or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its
property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed
and unstayed for a period of 60 days, or a trustee, receiver, custodian, or
other similar official shall be appointed in such involuntary case.

                (f) False Representations. Any of the representations or
warranties contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall be or
have been false, misleading, or untrue in any material respect when made or when
otherwise required by the terms of any Loan Document to be true and accurate.

                (g) Default under Other Indebtedness. Other than with respect to
accounts payable of Borrower which are overdue on the date hereof, the default
or the happening of any event shall occur under any indenture, agreement or
other instrument under which indebtedness for borrowed money (other than the
Loans) of Borrower or any of its subsidiaries having an aggregate principal
amount of $330,000 or more has been or may be issued and such default or event
shall continue for a period of time sufficient to permit the acceleration of the
maturity of such indebtedness of Borrower or any of its subsidiaries outstanding
thereunder.

 7. REMEDIES

         7.1 Remedies Nonexclusive. At any time an Event of Default exists or
has occurred and is continuing, Lenders shall have all rights and remedies
provided in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Uniform Commercial
Code as in effect in the State of Colorado (the "UCC") and other applicable law,
all of which rights and remedies may be exercised without notice to or consent
by Borrower, except as such notice or consent is expressly provided for
hereunder or required by applicable law. All rights, remedies and powers granted
to Lenders hereunder, under any of the other Loan Documents, the UCC or other
applicable law, are cumulative, not exclusive and enforceable, in Lenders'
discretion, alternatively, successively, or concurrently on any one or more
occasions, and shall include, without limitation, the right to apply to a court
of equity for an injunction to restrain a breach or threatened breach by
Borrower of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Lenders may, at
any time or times, proceed directly against Borrower to collect the Secured
Indebtedness without prior recourse to the Collateral.

                                       15
<PAGE>   16

         7.2 Acceleration and Remedies.

                (a) Without limiting the foregoing, at any time an Event of
Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, a Majority of Lenders may, in
their discretion and without limitation, (i) accelerate the payment of all
Secured Indebtedness and demand immediate payment thereof to Lenders (provided,
that, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 6.1(d)
or 6.1(e), all Secured Indebtedness shall automatically become immediately due
and payable), (ii) with or without judicial process or the aid or assistance of
others, enter upon any premises on or in which any of the Collateral may be
located and take possession of the Collateral or complete processing,
manufacturing and repair of all or any portion of the Collateral, (iii) require
Borrower, at Borrower's expense, to assemble and make available to Lenders any
part or all of the Collateral at any place and time designated by a Majority of
Lenders, (iv) collect, foreclose, receive, appropriate, setoff and realize upon
any and all Collateral, (v) remove any or all of the Collateral from any
premises on or in which the same may be located for the purpose of effecting the
sale, foreclosure or other disposition thereof or for any other purpose, (vi)
sell, lease, transfer, assign, deliver or otherwise dispose of any and all
Collateral (including entering into contracts with respect thereto, public or
private sales at any exchange, broker's board, at any office of Lenders or
elsewhere) at such prices or terms as a Majority of Lenders may deem reasonable,
for cash, upon credit or for future delivery, with Lenders having the right to
purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral at any such public sale, all of
the foregoing being free from any right or equity of redemption of Borrower,
which right or equity of redemption is hereby expressly waived and released by
Borrower and/or (vii) terminate this Agreement. If any of the Collateral is sold
or leased by Lenders upon credit terms or for future delivery, the Secured
Indebtedness shall not be reduced as a result thereof until payment therefor is
finally collected by Lenders. If notice of disposition of Collateral is required
by law, five (5) days prior notice by a Lender to Borrower designating the time
and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale or other
intended disposition of Collateral is to be made, shall be deemed to be
reasonable notice thereof and Borrower waives any other notice. In the event
Lenders institute an action to recover any Collateral or seek recovery of any
Collateral by way of prejudgment remedy, Borrower waives the posting of any bond
which might otherwise be required.

                (b) Lenders may apply the cash proceeds of Collateral actually
received by Lenders from any sale, lease, foreclosure or other disposition of
the Collateral to payment of the Secured Indebtedness, in whole or in part and
in such order as a Majority of Lenders may elect, whether or not then due.
Borrower shall remain liable to Lenders for the payment of any deficiency with
interest at the highest rate provided for herein and all costs and expenses of
collection or enforcement, including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal
expenses.

                (c) Without limiting the foregoing, upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default which is continuing, each Lender may, at its option, without
notice, (i) cease making Loans to Borrower and/or (ii) terminate, as to such
Lender, any provision of this Agreement providing for any future Loans to be
made by such Lender to Borrower.

                                       16
<PAGE>   17

         7.3 Limitation on Duty of Lenders with Respect to Collateral. Beyond
the safe custody thereof or as otherwise required by applicable law, Lenders
shall have no duty with respect to any Collateral in the possession or control
of the Lenders (or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee) or with
respect to any income thereon or the preservation of rights against prior
parties or any other rights pertaining thereto. Lenders shall not be liable or
responsible for any loss or damage to any of the Collateral, or for any
diminution in the value thereof, other than as a result of Lenders' gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

         7.4 Intercreditor Agreement. Lenders and Borrower acknowledge and agree
that the Secured Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment and priority
to the prior payment in full of the obligations of Borrower to CFC under the
Congress Loan Agreement to the extent set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement
and, to the extent that any terms of the Intercreditor Agreement conflict with
the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall
control.

 8. INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES

         8.1 Indemnification. Borrower shall indemnify, pay and hold each
Lender, and each Lender's officers, directors, partners, employees, affiliates
and agents (collectively, the "Indemnified Persons") harmless from and against
any and all claims, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses of any kind or
nature whatsoever (including reasonable fees and costs of counsel for the
Indemnified Persons) arising out of or resulting from or relating to this
Agreement or the Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, enforcement of
this Agreement) (the foregoing liabilities herein collectively referred to as
the "Indemnified Liabilities"), except claims, losses, liabilities, costs and
expenses resulting from a Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct. To
the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in
the preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it is violative of any laws
or public policy, Borrower shall contribute the maximum portion that it is
permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and
satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnified Persons
or any of them.

         8.2 Expenses. Borrower shall upon demand pay to Lenders the amount of
any and all reasonable expenses, including but not limited to the reasonable
fees and disbursements of its counsel and of any experts and agents, which
Lenders may incur in connection with (i) the custody, preservation, use or
operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of
the Collateral, (ii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of Lenders
hereunder or under any Loan Documents, (iii) the failure by Borrower to perform
or observe any of the provisions hereof or (iv) the proposed or actual
amendment, waiver or consent pursuant to the provisions of any of the Loan
Documents resulting from any work-out, renegotiation or restructuring relating
to the performance by Borrower of its obligations under the Loan Documents.

                                       17
<PAGE>   18

 9. MISCELLANEOUS

         9.1 Waivers and Consents. No amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement nor consent to any departure by Borrower herefrom shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Lenders,
and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the specific purpose for which given.

         9.2 Notices. All notices, reports, records, or other communications
which are required or permitted to be given to the parties under this Agreement
shall be sufficient in all respects if given in writing and delivered in person,
by telecopy, by overnight courier, or by certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, to the receiving party at the following address: if to the
Lenders, their respective addresses set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto, and, if to
Borrower:

                                    Exabyte Corporation
                                    1685 38th Street
                                    Boulder, Colorado  80229
                                    Attention:  Steven F. Smith
                                    Telephone:  (303) 417-7453
                                    Facsimile:  (303) 417-7900

or to such other address as such party may have given to the other(s) by notice
pursuant to this Section. Notice shall be deemed given on the date of delivery,
in the case of personal delivery or telecopy, or on the delivery or refusal
date, as specified on the return receipt in the case of certified mail or on the
tracking report in the case of overnight courier.

         9.3 No Assignment. No party may assign its rights or obligations
hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents without the prior written consent
of the other parties, except that any Lender may assign its rights or
obligations hereunder to Ecrix, to any other Lender, or to any affiliate,
partner or shareholder of such Lender or an immediate family member (or a trust
created for the benefit of an immediate family member) of such Lender
("Permitted Assignees").

         9.4 Headings, Schedules and Exhibits. All headings herein are included
for reference purposes only and shall not be construed as affecting the terms of
this Agreement or any part hereof. Each reference herein to a Schedule or an
Exhibit shall refer to the similarly denominated Schedule or Exhibit attached
hereto, which shall be incorporated herein by such reference.

         9.5 Governing Law; Terms. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to
that State's choice of law principles, except to the extent that the validity or
perfection of the security interest hereunder, or remedies hereunder, in respect
of any particular Collateral are governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other
than the State of Colorado.

                                       18
<PAGE>   19

         9.6 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement be determined by
any court having jurisdiction to be unlawful or unenforceable, such provision
shall be deemed separate and apart from all other provisions of this Agreement,
and all remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be fully enforceable.

         9.7 Terms. Unless the context otherwise requires, all terms used herein
which are defined in the Code shall have the meaning therein stated.

         9.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all
of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement
shall be effective upon delivery of original signature pages or facsimile copies
thereof executed by each of the parties hereto.

         9.9 No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Lenders in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall
operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, power or privilege.

                            [execution page follows]

                                       19
<PAGE>   20

         The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.

                                    BORROWER:

                                    EXABYTE CORPORATION

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------------------

Loan and Security Agreement

<PAGE>   21

                                    LENDERS:

                                    Meritage Private Equity Fund, L.P.

                                    By:    Meritage Investment Partners, LLC
                                    Its:   General Partner

                                           By:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              John Garrett, Principal

Loan and Security Agreement

<PAGE>   22

                                    CENTENNIAL FUND V, L.P.
                                    By:    Centennial Holdings V, L.P.
                                           Its General Partner

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Jeffrey H. Schutz its General Partner

                                    CENTENNIAL ENTREPRENEURS FUND V, L.P.
                                       By: Centennial Holdings V, L.P.
                                           Its General Partner

                                           By:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Jeffrey H. Schutz, its General
                                              Partner

                                    CENTENNIAL FUND VI, L.P.
                                       By: Centennial Holdings VI, LLC
                                           its General Partner

                                           By:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Jeffrey H. Schutz, its Managing
                                              Principal

                                    CENTENNIAL ENTREPRENEURS FUND VI, L.P.
                                       By: Centennial Holdings VI, LLC
                                           its General Partner

                                           By:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Jeffrey H. Schutz, its Managing
                                              Principal

                                    CENTENNIAL HOLDINGS I, LLC

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Jeffrey H. Schutz its Managing Director

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    William J. Almon, Sr.

Loan and Security Agreement

<PAGE>   23

                                  SCHEDULE 1.1
                                       TO
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                              DATED AUGUST 22, 2001
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
                               EXABYTE CORPORATION
                                       AND
                            THE LENDERS NAMED THEREIN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        NAME AND ADDRESS OF                     AMOUNT OF                 AMOUNT OF
              LENDER                          INITIAL LOAN             CONTINGENT LOAN                 TOTAL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                      <C>                           <C>
Meritage Private Equity Fund, L.P.             $854,885.25               $284,961.75                 $1,139,847
1600 Wynkoop Street,
  Suite 300
Denver, CO  80202
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centennial Fund V, L.P.                         $56,023.97                $18,674.66                 $74,698.63
1428 Fifteenth St.
Denver, CO 80202-1318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centennial Entrepreneurs Fund V, L.P.            $1,680.72                   $560.24                  $2,240.96
1428 Fifteenth St.
Denver, CO 80202-1318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centennial Fund VI, L.P.                       $376,248.87               $125,416.29                $501,665.16
1428 Fifteenth St.
Denver, CO 80202-1318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centennial Entrepreneurs Fund VI, L.P.          $11,287.47                 $3,762.49                 $15,049.96
1428 Fifteenth St.
Denver, CO 80202-1318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centennial Holdings I, LLC                       $7,524.98                 $2,508.33                 $10,033.30
1428 Fifteenth St.
Denver, CO 80202-1318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William J. Almon, Sr.                          $192,348.75                $64,116.25                   $256,465
10570 Blandor Way
Los Altos, CA  94024.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   24

                                  SCHEDULE 3.1
                                       TO
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                              DATED AUGUST 22, 2001
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
                               EXABYTE CORPORATION
                                       AND
                            the lenders named therein

                                    PREMISES

Chief Executive Office:
----------------------

1685 38th St.
Boulder, CO

Other Premises:
--------------

1775 38th St.
Boulder, CO

1745 38th St.
Boulder, CO

1715 38th St.
Boulder, CO

1695 38th St.
Boulder, CO

1690 38th St.
Boulder, CO

1691 38th St.
Boulder, CO

1835 38th St.
Boulder, CO

1777 Exposition
Boulder, CO

<PAGE>   25

1665 Exposition
Boulder, CO

2310 Midway Blvd.
Broomfield, CO
4665 Nautilus Court
South Boulder, CO

4725 Nautilus Court
South Boulder, CO

2299 Ringwood Ave., C4
San Jose, CA

15780 S.W. Osprey
Suite 240
Beaverton, OR

14405 Walters Road, #140
Houston, TX

51 E. Campbell Ave.
Campbell, CA

1600 Boston-Provident Highway
Suite 290
Walpole, MA

706 Giddings Ave.
Suite 1a/1b
Annapolis, MD

2021 Midwest Rd.
#300
Oak Brook, IL

27405 Puerta Real
#230
Mission Viejo, CA

14800 Quorum Dr.
Dallas, TX

13801 Reese Blve.
Huntersville, NC

<PAGE>   26

3182 Orlando Drive
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

7/87 Reserve Road
Artarmon, Australia

215 Henderson Road
Singapore

216 Henderson Road
Singapore

217 Henderson Road
Singapore

218 Henderson Road
Singapore

<PAGE>   27

                                  SCHEDULE 4.1
                                       TO
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                              DATED AUGUST 22, 2001
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
                               EXABYTE CORPORATION
                                       AND
                            THE LENDERS NAMED THEREIN

                                  ENCUMBRANCES

None.

<PAGE>   28

                                    EXHIBIT A
                                       TO
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                              DATED AUGUST 22, 2001
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
                               EXABYTE CORPORATION
                                       AND
                            THE LENDERS NAMED THEREIN

                      FORM OF INITIAL LOAN PROMISSORY NOTE

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