Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.12

                         SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                       $75 MILLION SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY
                                NOVEMBER 9, 2004

BORROWERS:          PRA International ("PRA") and certain of PRA's foreign
                    subsidiaries to be determined (such subsidiaries,
                    collectively with PRA, the "Borrowers"). Although PRA shall
                    be jointly and severally liable for the obligations of each
                    of the Borrowers, the obligations of the foreign
                    subsidiaries that are Borrowers shall be several (and not
                    joint, nor joint and several) with the obligations of PRA
                    and the other Borrowers.

GUARANTORS:         The Facility (as defined below) shall be irrevocably and
                    unconditionally guaranteed by all domestic subsidiaries of
                    PRA existing as of the closing date of the Facility and such
                    other domestic subsidiaries that are subsequently acquired
                    or organized (such domestic subsidiaries, collectively, the
                    "Guarantors") pursuant to guaranty agreements in form and
                    substance satisfactory to the Lenders (each a "Guaranty
                    Agreement"). All Guaranty Agreements shall be guarantees of
                    payment and not of collection.

ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT:              Wachovia Bank, National Association ("Wachovia" or the
                    "Administrative Agent") will act as the sole and exclusive
                    administrative agent.

SOLE LEAD
ARRANGER AND
SOLE BOOK
MANAGER:            Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC d/b/a Wachovia Securities (the
                    "Wachovia Securities") will arrange and structure the
                    Facility.

LENDERS:            A syndicate of banks and other financial institutions
                    (including Wachovia) arranged by the Lead Arranger,

<PAGE>

                    which institutions shall be reasonably acceptable to PRA and
                    the Administrative Agent (collectively, the "Lenders").

FACILITY:           A $75 million revolving credit facility (the "Facility"),
                    with a sublimit to be determined for the issuance of
                    swingline loans (each a "Swingline Loan") and a sublimit to
                    be determined for the issuance of standby letters of credit
                    (each a "Letter of Credit"). Any Swingline Loans and Letters
                    of Credit shall reduce the available commitment under the
                    Facility on a dollar for dollar basis; provided that
                    Swingline Loans shall not be considered usage for purposes
                    of calculating the Commitment Fee. Subject to the
                    limitations described herein Loans may be repaid and
                    reborrowed.

INCREASE IN
COMMITMENT:         At any time after the closing of the Facility until the date
                    that is three (3) years after the closing date and so long
                    as no default or event of default has occurred and is
                    continuing, PRA shall have the right, in consultation with
                    the Administrative Agent (but without the consent of any
                    individual Lender), to request an increase the aggregate
                    principal amount of the Facility in minimum increments of
                    $10 million up to an aggregate increase amount of $50
                    million. Each Lender shall have the right, but not the
                    obligation, to commit to all or a portion of the proposed
                    increase. PRA may also solicit commitments from third party
                    financial institutions reasonably acceptable to the
                    Administrative Agent and PRA.

SWINGLINE LOANS:    Swingline Loans will be made by Wachovia to PRA on same day
                    notice. Each of the Lenders shall acquire, under certain
                    circumstances, an irrevocable and unconditional pro rata
                    participation in each such Swingline Loan.

LETTERS OF CREDIT:  Letters of Credit will be issued by Wachovia and shall
                    expire no later than the earlier of (i) one (1) year after
                    its date of issuance and (ii) the fifth (5th) business day
                    prior to the Maturity Date. Each of the Lenders shall
                    acquire, under certain circumstances, an irrevocable and
                    unconditional pro rata participation in each such Letter of
                    Credit.

<PAGE>

ALTERNATIVE
CURRENCY LOANS:     A portion of the Facility in an amount not to exceed
                    $25 million shall be available for alternative currency
                    loans to the Borrowers (the "Alternative Currency Loans").
                    The Alternative Currency Loans (i) shall be denominated in
                    (a) euro, (b) Pounds Sterling, (c) Canadian Dollars and (d)
                    other readily available and freely tradeable and convertible
                    foreign currencies to be agreed upon (collectively, the
                    "Alternative Currencies") and (ii) shall be subject to the
                    customary terms and procedures of the Administrative Agent
                    with respect thereto. Alternative Currency Loans shall be
                    made at the LIBOR Rate for the applicable Alternative
                    Currency. The Lenders will share ratably in the Alternative
                    Currency Loans. Outstanding Alternative Currency Loans (i)
                    shall reduce availability under the Facility dollar for
                    dollar and (ii) shall be subject to repayment based upon
                    currency fluctuations.

MATURITY DATE:      The Facility shall terminate and all amounts outstanding
                    thereunder shall be due and payable in full upon the fourth
                    (4th) anniversary of the closing date of the Facility (the
                    "Maturity Date").

                    The Facility shall be repaid in full, including any unpaid
                    interest, on the Maturity Date.

PURPOSE:            The Facility shall be used (i) to refinance existing
                    indebtedness of the Borrowers (the "Existing Debt"), (ii)
                    for general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their
                    respective subsidiaries, including, without limitation,
                    working capital, capital expenditures in the ordinary course
                    of business and permitted acquisitions, and (iii) to pay
                    fees and expenses related to the Facility.

SECURITY:           The Facility will be unsecured, with a negative pledge on
                    the material assets of PRA and its subsidiaries (subject to
                    mutually agreeable exceptions).

PRICING, FEES AND
EXPENSES:           See Addendum I.

LOANS UNDER THE
CREDIT FACILITY:    Borrowings may be requested upon four (4) business days
                    notice for LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Alternative
<PAGE>

                    Currencies, three (3) business days notice for LIBOR Rate
                    Loans denominated in Dollars and same business day notice
                    for Base Rate Loans and Swingline Loans. Notice must be
                    given to the Administrative Agent by 11:00 a.m., Charlotte,
                    North Carolina time, on the day on which such notice is
                    required. The aggregate of all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans,
                    Base Rate Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit will
                    be considered usage for purposes of determining availability
                    under each applicable Facility; provided that Swingline
                    Loans shall not be considered usage for purposes of
                    calculating the Commitment Fee.

OPTIONAL
PREPAYMENTS;
COMMITMENT
REDUCTIONS:         Base Rate Loans and Swingline Loans may be prepaid at any
                    time without penalty. LIBOR Rate Loans may be prepaid at the
                    end of the applicable Interest Period without penalty.
                    Prepayment of the LIBOR Rate Loans prior to the end of the
                    applicable Interest Period is subject to payment of any
                    funding losses.

                    PRA may at any time permanently reduce the total amount of
                    the Lenders' Commitments under the Facility.

CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
TO CLOSING:         Customary for facilities of this nature, including, but not
                    limited to, credit documentation satisfactory to the
                    Administrative Agent; legal opinions and other closing
                    documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
                    consummation of an initial public offering (the "IPO") by
                    PRA of stock on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable
                    to the Administrative Agent and the receipt by PRA of gross
                    cash proceeds from the IPO of at least $50 million;
                    satisfactory solvency certifications; all governmental,
                    shareholder, corporate and third party consents shall have
                    been obtained; no material adverse change including no
                    material pending or threatened litigation, bankruptcy or
                    other proceeding; compliance of the Facility and the
                    transactions contemplated thereby with applicable laws;
                    satisfactory review of all corporate documentation and other
                    legal due diligence; payment in full of all principal,
                    interest and other amounts outstanding
<PAGE>

                    in connection with the Existing Debt; and payment of all
                    fees and expenses due to the Administrative Agent and the
                    Administrative Agent's counsel.

CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO
ALL BORROWINGS:     Customary for facilities of this nature, including, but not
                    limited to, accuracy of representations and warranties and
                    absence of defaults.

REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES:     Customary for facilities of this nature, including, but not
                    limited to, corporate existence; corporate and governmental
                    authorization; enforceability; financial information; no
                    material adverse changes; compliance with laws and
                    agreements (including environmental laws); compliance with
                    ERISA; no material litigation; payment of taxes; tax
                    disclosure; financial condition; and full disclosure.

AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS:          Customary for facilities of this nature, including, but not
                    limited to, receipt of financial information; notification
                    of litigation, investigations, tax treatment and other
                    adverse changes; payment and performance of obligations;
                    conduct of business; maintenance of existence; maintenance
                    of property and insurance (including hazard and business
                    interruption coverage); maintenance of records and accounts;
                    inspection of property and books and records; compliance
                    with laws (including environmental laws); payment of taxes;
                    and ERISA.

FINANCIAL
COVENANTS:          Financial covenants shall include, but not be limited to,
                    the following:

                    (a) Maximum Total Leverage Ratio not to exceed 2.25 to 1.00
                    (with step downs to be determined).

                    (b) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio not less than 2.00
                    to 1.00.

                    (c) Minimum Net Worth of 85% of net worth as of closing plus
                    50% of net income (to the extent positive) thereafter.

<PAGE>

NEGATIVE
COVENANTS:          Customary for facilities of this nature, including, but not
                    limited to, restrictions and limitations on: indebtedness;
                    liens; guaranty obligations; changes in business; mergers;
                    sales of assets; acquisitions (the following acquisitions
                    shall require the prior consent of the Required Lenders: (i)
                    any single acquisition, or series of related acquisitions,
                    which, together with all other acquisitions consummated
                    during the trailing twelve month period, involve cash
                    consideration in excess of $25 million and (ii) any single
                    acquisition, or series of related acquisitions, if the Total
                    Leverage ratio of the Borrower and its subsidiaries, after
                    giving pro forma effect to such acquisition or series of
                    related acquisitions (including pro forma effect to the
                    incurrence or assumption of debt in connection therewith),
                    is not at least 0.25 less than the Maximum Total Leverage
                    Ratio permitted as of the next succeeding fiscal quarter of
                    the Borrower); loans and investments; transactions with
                    affiliates; sale and leaseback transactions; prepayments of
                    or material amendments to indebtedness (including, without
                    limitation, repayment of any subordinated debt); restrictive
                    agreements; dividends, distributions and other restricted
                    payments (including, without limitation, payments with
                    respect to subordinated debt); and changes in fiscal year or
                    accounting method.

EVENTS OF
DEFAULT:            Customary for facilities of this nature, including, but not
                    limited to: failure to pay any interest, principal or fees
                    under the Facility when due; failure to perform any covenant
                    or agreement; inaccurate or false representation or
                    warranties; cross defaults (including cross-defaults to
                    defaults under material contracts); actual or asserted
                    invalidity (by any Borrower or any other loan party) of any
                    guaranty, security document or security interest in favor of
                    the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; insolvency or
                    bankruptcy; ERISA; judgment defaults; change in control; and
                    any other events of default deemed reasonably necessary by
                    the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in the context of
                    the proposed transaction.

<PAGE>

ASSIGNMENTS &
PARTICIPATIONS:     Each Lender will, subject in certain circumstances to the
                    approval of the Administrative Agent and/or PRA (such
                    consents not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), be
                    permitted to make assignments in acceptable minimum amounts.
                    Participations shall be permitted in acceptable minimum
                    amounts.

REQUIRED LENDERS:   On any date of determination, those Lenders who collectively
                    hold more than 50% of the Facility, or if the Facility has
                    been terminated, those Lenders who collectively hold more
                    than 50% of the aggregate outstandings.

WAIVERS AND
AMENDMENTS:         Amendments and waivers of the provisions of the credit
                    agreement and other definitive credit documentation will
                    require the approval of the Required Lenders, except that
                    the consent of all the Lenders affected thereby shall be
                    required with respect to (i) increases in the commitment of
                    such Lenders, (ii) reductions of principal, interest or
                    fees, (iii) extensions of scheduled maturities or times for
                    payment, and (iv) releases of all or substantially all of
                    the value of the collateral or guarantees of the Facility,
                    if any.

WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL, GOVERNING
LAW:                Waiver of jury trial, submission to jurisdiction in
                    Charlotte, North Carolina and New York, New York, and
                    mandatory binding arbitration in Charlotte, North Carolina
                    and New York, New York; New York law to govern.

PATRIOT ACT:        To help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering
                    activities, Federal Law requires U.S. financial institutions
                    to obtain, verify and record information that identifies
                    each person or entity that opens an account and/or enters
                    into a business relationship with such financial
                    institution.

COUNSEL TO
LEAD ARRANGER
AND ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT:              Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, L.L.P.

<PAGE>

MISCELLANEOUS:      This summary of terms and conditions does not purport to
                    summarize all the conditions, covenants, representations,
                    warranties and other provisions which would be contained in
                    definitive credit documentation for the Facility
                    contemplated hereby.

Wachovia Securities is the trade name under which Wachovia Corporation conducts
its investment banking, capital markets and institutional securities business
through Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE, NASD, SIPC, and through
other bank and non-bank and broker-dealer subsidiaries of Wachovia Corporation.

<PAGE>

                                   ADDENDUM I

                           PRICING, FEES AND EXPENSES

INTEREST RATE
OPTIONS:            The applicable Borrower's option of:

                    (1)  The Base Rate plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin, as
                         set forth in the pricing annex attached hereto as
                         Exhibit A. Loans bearing interest at the Base Rate plus
                         the Applicable Base Rate Margin ("Base Rate Loans")
                         shall be for a minimum amount of $1,000,000 and
                         $500,000 increments in excess thereof.

                         The Base Rate means the greater of (i) the
                         Administrative Agent's Prime Rate or (ii) the overnight
                         federal funds rate plus 0.50%. The Prime Rate is an
                         index or base rate and shall not necessarily be its
                         lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other
                         banks.

                         Swingline Loans shall be maintained solely at the Base
                         Rate plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin and may be
                         borrowed in minimum increments of $100,000.

                    (2)  The LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable LIBOR Rate Margin as
                         set forth in the pricing annex attached hereto as
                         Exhibit A. Loans bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate
                         plus the Applicable LIBOR Margin ("LIBOR Rate Loans")
                         shall be for a minimum amount of $1,000,000 and
                         $500,000 increments in excess thereof.

                         The LIBOR Rate shall mean reserve adjusted LIBOR as set
                         forth on Dow Jones Markets Screen Page 3750 or as
                         determined by the Administrative Agent if such
                         information is not available. The LIBOR Rate Option is
                         available for Interest Periods of one (1), two (2),
                         three (3), or six (6) months. No more than six (6)
                         Interest Periods may be in effect at any time.

<PAGE>

                         LIBOR Rate interest and all fees shall be calculated on
                         a 360 day basis, while Base Rate interest shall be
                         calculated on a 365/366 day basis.

INTEREST
PAYMENTS:           Interest on Base Rate Loans will be due and payable
                    quarterly in arrears. Interest on LIBOR Rate Loans will be
                    due and payable at the end of each applicable Interest
                    Period or, in the case of a six (6) month LIBOR Rate Loan,
                    every three (3) months.

DEFAULT RATE
INTEREST:           Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
                    payment, bankruptcy or insolvency event of default or, at
                    the option of the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence and
                    during the continuance of any other event of default, (i)
                    the Borrowers shall no longer have the option to request
                    LIBOR Rate Loans or Swingline Loans, (ii) all amounts due
                    and payable with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans shall bear
                    interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess
                    of the rate then applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loans until
                    the end of the applicable Interest Period and thereafter at
                    a rate equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then
                    applicable to Base Rate Loans and (iii) all amounts due and
                    payable with respect to Base Rate Loans and Swingline Loans
                    shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent
                    (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to Base Rate
                    Loans. Such interest shall be payable on demand of the
                    Administrative Agent.

COMMITMENT FEE:     The Borrowers shall pay a Commitment Fee, at a rate per
                    annum as reflected on the attached Exhibit A, on the average
                    daily unused portion of the Facility. The Commitment Fee
                    shall be payable quarterly in arrears.

LETTER OF CREDIT
FEES:               Issuance Fee. An amount equal to the Applicable LIBOR Rate
                    Margin with respect to the Facility on a per annum basis
                    multiplied by the face amount of each Letter of Credit,
                    payable to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
                    Lenders, quarterly in arrears.

                    Fronting Fee: An amount equal to 0.125% per annum multiplied
                    by the face amount of each Letter of Credit,
<PAGE>

                         payable to the Administrative Agent (as Issuing
                         Lender), for its own account, quarterly in arrears.

                         Other Fees. All normal costs and expenses of the
                         Administrative Agent (as Issuing Lender) in connection
                         with the issuance, transfer or other administration of
                         the Letters of Credit shall be for the account of the
                         Borrowers.

EXPENSES:                The Borrowers shall be responsible for all reasonable
                         legal and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
                         Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger related to
                         due diligence performed by the Administrative Agent and
                         the Lead Arranger in connection with the transaction,
                         the execution of the loan documentation, and future
                         administration of the definitive credit documentation.

INCREASED COSTS/
CHANGE OF
CIRCUMSTANCES:           Provisions customary in facilities of this type
                         protecting the Lenders in the event of unavailability
                         of funding, illegality, capital adequacy requirements,
                         increased costs, withholding taxes and funding losses.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
                                  Pricing Annex

Pricing to be determined in accordance with the following leverage-based grid,
with initial pricing to be set at Level III:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Applicable
                                                 Base Rate               Applicable
     Tier            Leverage Ratio               Margin                LIBOR Margin       Commitment Fee
     ----            --------------               ------                ------------       --------------
<S>              <C>                      <C>                    <C>                            <C>
        I         > 1.50x                           50 bps                  175 bps                  37.5 bps
        II        > 1.00x, < 1.50x                  25 bps                  150 bps                  37.5 bps
       III        < 1.00x                            0 bps                  125 bps                  25.0 bps
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                        [WACHOVIA SECURITIES LETTERHEAD]

                                November 9, 2004

PRA International
8300 Greensboro Drive
Suite 400
McLean, Virginia  22101
Attention:     J. Matthew Bond, Senior Vice-President and Chief
               Financial Officer

        Re:    Commitment for Arrangement of Senior Credit Facility.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        You have advised us that PRA International ("PRA") seeks financing for
itself and certain of its foreign subsidiaries to be determined (such
subsidiaries, collectively with PRA, the "Borrowers") to refinance certain
existing indebtedness, for ongoing working capital requirements and other
general corporate purposes as more fully described in the attached Summary of
Terms and Conditions (the "Term Sheet"). The Term Sheet describes the general
terms and conditions for an aggregate $75 million senior revolving credit
facility (the "Facility").

        Based upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Commitment Letter (the "Commitment Letter"), in the Term Sheet and in the fee
letter of even date (the "Fee Letter"), Wachovia Bank, National Association
("Wachovia") is pleased to advise you of its commitment to provide the Facility
and act as administrative agent in respect thereof. As set forth more fully
below and in the Term Sheet, the closing of the Facility is subject to certain
conditions precedent. Although Wachovia is committing to provide the Facility on
the terms referenced herein and in the Term Sheet, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC
d/b/a Wachovia Securities (1) ("Wachovia Securities"), hereby agrees, and you
hereby appoint Wachovia Securities, to act as sole lead arranger and sole book
manager for the Facility in connection with arranging a syndicate of banks and
financial institutions (collectively, the "Lenders") reasonably acceptable to
PRA and Wachovia Securities to provide all or a portion of the Facility.
Wachovia will act as sole and exclusive administrative agent for any such
Lenders.

        It is understood and agreed that Wachovia Securities, after consultation
with you, will manage and control all aspects of the syndication, including
decisions as to the selection of proposed Lenders and any titles offered to
proposed Lenders, when commitments will be

--------------
(1) Wachovia Securities is the trade name under which Wachovia Corporation
conducts its investment banking, capital markets and institutional securities
business through Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE, NASD, SIPC, and
through other bank and non-bank and broker-dealer subsidiaries of Wachovia
Corporation.

<PAGE>

accepted and the final allocations of the commitments among the Lenders. You
also acknowledge and agree that the services of Wachovia as sole administrative
agent and the services of Wachovia Securities as sole lead arranger and sole
book manager will be on an exclusive basis during the term of this Commitment
Letter and that, during such term, no other bank or other financial institution
will be engaged or otherwise consulted or contacted by you regarding any other
proposed senior bank facility for PRA or its subsidiaries. In addition, you
agree that no other agents, co-agents, arrangers or book managers will be
appointed, no other titles will be awarded and no compensation (other than to
Wachovia and Wachovia Securities or as expressly contemplated by the Term Sheet
or the Fee Letter) will be paid in connection with the Facility unless agreed by
Wachovia Securities. It is also understood and agreed that the amount and
distribution of the fees among the Lenders will be at our sole discretion and
that any syndication prior to execution of the definitive documentation for the
Facility will reduce the commitment of Wachovia.

        The commitments of Wachovia and Wachovia Securities hereunder are based
upon the financial and other information regarding PRA and its subsidiaries
previously provided to us. Accordingly, the commitments hereunder are subject to
the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent in a manner
acceptable to us in our sole discretion:

        (i)     each of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Term Sheet;

        (ii)    the absence of a material breach of any representation, warranty
or agreement of PRA set forth herein;

        (iii)   no change, occurrence or development that could, in our opinion,
have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities (actual or
contingent), operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of PRA
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole shall have occurred or become known to us;

        (iv)    the information concerning PRA and its subsidiaries shall not,
in our judgment, differ in any material adverse manner from the information and
other matters previously disclosed to us prior to date hereof;

        (v)     the completion, to our satisfaction, all legal and tax due
diligence with respect to the business, assets, liabilities, operations,
condition (financial or otherwise) and prospects of PRA and its subsidiaries in
scope and determination satisfactory to us in our sole discretion;

        (vi)    compliance with all applicable laws and regulations by PRA and
its subsidiaries (including compliance of this Commitment Letter and the
transactions described herein with all applicable federal banking laws, rules
and regulations);

        (vii)   our satisfaction that, prior to and during the primary
syndication of the Facility, there shall be no competing offering, placement or
arrangement of any debt securities or bank financing by or on behalf of PRA or
any of its subsidiaries, except with the prior written consent of Wachovia and
Wachovia Securities;
<PAGE>

        (viii)  the negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive
documentation for the Facility consistent with the Term Sheet and otherwise
satisfactory to us;

        (ix)    there not having occurred any material disruption or adverse
change in the financial, banking or capital markets that could, in our
reasonable judgment, impair the syndication of the Facility; and

        (x)     Wachovia Securities shall have had a reasonable opportunity and
reasonable period of time in which to complete a syndication of the Facility.

        You agree to actively assist Wachovia Securities (including, if
applicable, after the closing of the Facility) in achieving a syndication of the
Facility that is satisfactory to Wachovia Securities and you. Such syndication
may be accomplished by a variety of means, including direct contact during the
syndication between senior management and advisors of PRA and its subsidiaries,
and the proposed Lenders. To assist Wachovia Securities in the syndication
efforts you hereby agree (i) to provide and cause your advisors to provide
Wachovia Securities and the proposed Lenders upon request with all information
deemed reasonably necessary by Wachovia Securities to complete the syndication,
including, but not limited to, information and evaluations prepared by you and
any of your subsidiaries and their advisors, or on their behalf, relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) to assist Wachovia Securities upon its
reasonable request in the preparation of an information memorandum to be used in
connection with the syndication of the Facility, (iii) to use your commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure that the syndication efforts benefit materially
from your existing lending and investment banking relationships, and (iv) to
otherwise assist Wachovia Securities in its syndication efforts, including
making officers and advisors of PRA and its subsidiaries available from time to
time to attend and make presentations regarding the business and prospects of
PRA and its subsidiaries, as appropriate, at a meeting or meetings of Lenders or
prospective Lenders.

        You hereby represent, warrant and covenant that (i) all information,
other than Projections (as defined below), which has been or is hereafter made
available to Wachovia, Wachovia Securities or the Lenders by you or any of your
representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
("Information") is and will be complete and correct in all material respects as
of the date made available to Wachovia, Wachovia Securities or the Lenders and
does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not
materially misleading and (ii) all financial projections concerning PRA and its
subsidiaries that have been or are hereafter made available to Wachovia,
Wachovia Securities or the Lenders by you or any of your representatives (the
"Projections") have been or will be prepared in good faith based upon
assumptions you believe to be reasonable. You agree to furnish to us such
Information and Projections as we may reasonably request and to supplement the
Information and the Projections from time to time until the closing date so that
the representation, warranty and covenant in the preceding sentence is correct
on the closing date. In arranging and syndicating the Facility, Wachovia and
Wachovia Securities will be using and relying on the Information and the
Projections without responsibility for independent verification thereof.
<PAGE>

        By executing this Commitment Letter, you agree, from time to time on
demand, to (i) pay the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of
Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, L.L.P., as counsel to Wachovia and Wachovia
Securities and (ii) pay or reimburse Wachovia and Wachovia Securities for all
reasonable out-of-pocket fees, syndication expenses and other expenses, in each
case incurred before or after the date hereof in connection with the Facility
and the other transactions contemplated hereby (including, but not limited to,
the preparation and execution of the Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet, the Fee
Letter and the definitive documentation for the Facility and future
administration of the definitive documentation for the Facility).

        By executing this Commitment Letter, you further agree to indemnify
Wachovia, Wachovia Securities, each other Lender and each affiliate, partner,
director, officer, employee, agent and advisor of Wachovia, Wachovia Securities,
each other Lender and each of their respective affiliates (each such person
being called an "Indemnitee") against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from,
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the
fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by
any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by PRA
or any of its subsidiaries arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of
(i) the execution or delivery of this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet, the Fee
Letter or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the
performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or
thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, or (ii) any use or proposed use of the Facility, or (iii) any actual or
prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of
the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether
brought by a third party or by PRA or any of its subsidiaries, and regardless of
whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall
not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from
a claim brought by PRA or any of its subsidiaries against an Indemnitee for
breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee's obligations hereunder or under any of
the definitive credit documentation, if PRA or such subsidiary has obtained a
final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction. The foregoing provisions of this paragraph
shall be in addition to any right that an Indemnitee shall have at common law or
otherwise. This Commitment Letter is addressed solely to PRA and is not intended
to confer any obligations to or on, or benefits to or on, any third party. No
Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of
Information or other materials obtained through internet, Intralinks or other
similar transmission systems in connection with the Facility. In addition, no
Indemnitee shall be responsible or liable for consequential damages which may be
alleged as a result of this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet or the Fee Letter.

        The terms of this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter and the Term Sheet
are confidential and may not be disclosed by you in whole or in part to any
third party without the prior consent of Wachovia and Wachovia Securities,
except for disclosure on a confidential basis to your attorneys, financial
advisors and accountants, in each case in connection with your evaluation hereof
and to the extent necessary in your reasonable judgment or as may be required by
law.
<PAGE>

You acknowledge and agree that Wachovia and Wachovia Securities may share with
their respective affiliates any information relating to the Facility, PRA and
its subsidiaries. You further acknowledge and agree to the disclosure by
Wachovia and Wachovia Securities of information relating to the Facility to Gold
Sheets and other similar bank trade publications, with such information to
consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such
publications. Furthermore, Wachovia and Wachovia Securities hereby notify you
that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, Title III of Pub. L.
107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) (the "Act"), each of them is required
to obtain, verify and record information that identifies you in accordance with
the Act.

        The provisions of the immediately preceding three paragraphs shall
remain in full force and effect regardless of whether definitive financing
documentation shall be executed and delivered and notwithstanding the
termination of this Commitment Letter or the commitment of Wachovia or Wachovia
Securities hereunder.

        This Commitment Letter and the Term Sheet do not summarize all of the
terms, conditions, covenants, representations, warranties and other provisions
which will be contained in the definitive credit documentation for the Facility
and the transactions contemplated thereby. Wachovia and Wachovia Securities
shall have the right to require that such credit documentation include, in
addition to the provisions outlined herein and in the Term Sheet, provisions
considered appropriate by Wachovia and Wachovia Securities for this type of
financing transaction, as well as provisions that Wachovia and Wachovia
Securities may deem appropriate after they are afforded the opportunity to
conduct and complete, to their satisfaction, the due diligence review described
above.

        Wachovia shall have the right to review and approve any public
announcement or public filing made after the date hereof relating to any of the
transactions contemplated hereby or relating to Wachovia or any of its
affiliates, as the case may be, before any such announcement or filing is made
(such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

        Wachovia's commitment with respect to the Facility set forth above shall
terminate at 5:00 p.m. on November 11, 2004 (the "Acceptance Deadline"), unless
this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter are accepted by PRA in writing and
delivered to Wachovia Securities prior to such time. Following acceptance by
you, this Commitment Letter shall expire at 5:00 p.m. on January 14, 2005 unless
the Facility is closed by such time.

        This Commitment Letter, together with the Term Sheet and the Fee Letter,
embodies the entire agreement and understanding between Wachovia, Wachovia
Securities and PRA with respect to the specific matters set forth above and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject
matter hereof. No party has been authorized by Wachovia or Wachovia Securities
to make any oral or written statements inconsistent with this Commitment Letter.

        This Commitment Letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York. Each of us hereby irrevocably waives all
right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based
on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of
<PAGE>

or relating to this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet, the Fee Letter, the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or the actions of Wachovia and
Wachovia Securities in the negotiation, performance or enforcement hereof and
thereof. This Commitment Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall
constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this
Commitment Letter by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a
manually executed counterpart hereof; provided that such facsimile transmission
shall be promptly followed by the original thereof.

        This Commitment Letter may not be amended or any provision hereof waived
or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by Wachovia, Wachovia
Securities and PRA.

        This Commitment Letter may not be assigned by PRA without the prior
written consent of Wachovia and Wachovia Securities (and any purported
assignment without such consent shall be null and void).

        Please indicate your acceptance of this Commitment Letter and the Term
Sheet by signing in the space provided and returning the original copy to us
prior to the Acceptance Deadline. Wachovia Securities is pleased to have the
opportunity to assist you in connection with this proposed financing
transaction.

                              Very truly yours,

                              WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                              WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

Accepted and Agreed to:

PRA INTERNATIONAL

<PAGE>
                        [WACHOVIA SECURITIES LETTERHEAD]

                                November 9, 2004

PRA International
8300 Greensboro Drive
Suite 400
McLean, Virginia  22101
Attention:     J. Matthew Bond, Senior Vice-President and Chief
               Financial Officer

        Re:    Senior Credit Facility Fee Letter

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        This letter is the fee letter (the "Fee Letter") referred to in that
certain commitment letter of even date herewith (the "Commitment Letter") from
Wachovia Bank, National Association ("Wachovia") and Wachovia Capital Markets,
LLC ("Wachovia Securities"*) to PRA International ("PRA"), whereby Wachovia has
furnished its commitment to provide to PRA and certain of its foreign
subsidiaries to be determined (such subsidiaries, collectively with PRA, the
"Borrowers") a senior revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal
amount of $75 million (the "Facility"), subject to the terms and conditions set
forth therein and in the Term Sheet attached thereto. Capitalized terms used
herein without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the
Commitment Letter or the Term Sheet.

        In connection with the Commitment Letter, you hereby agree with Wachovia
and Wachovia Securities as follows:

               (a) Underwriting Fee. As consideration for Wachovia to execute
        and deliver the Commitment Letter and provide its commitment set forth
        therein, PRA hereby agrees to pay to Wachovia, for its own account, an
        underwriting fee equal to the greater of (i) 1.00% of the aggregate
        principal amount of the Facility as set forth in the Commitment Letter
        or (ii) $750,000 (the "Underwriting Fee"), which such Underwriting Fee
        shall be deemed to be fully earned and due and payable upon the closing
        date of the Facility.

               (b) Administrative Agent Fee. As consideration for Wachovia to
        agree to act as Administrative Agent in connection with the Facility,
        PRA agrees to pay to Wachovia,

-----------
* Wachovia Securities is the trade name under which Wachovia Corporation
conducts its investment banking, capital markets and institutional securities
business through Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE, NASD, SIPC, and
through other bank and non-bank and broker-dealer subsidiaries of Wachovia
Corporation.

<PAGE>

        for its own account and in its capacity as Administrative Agent, an
        annual administrative fee in the amount of $30,000, due and payable in
        advance on the closing date of the Facility and thereafter on each
        anniversary of the closing date of the Facility until the Facility has
        been terminated and all amounts owing thereunder are paid in full.

        The Borrowers agree that all of the fees set forth in this Fee Letter
shall be fully-earned upon becoming due and payable in accordance with the terms
hereof, shall be paid in immediately available funds when due and payable, shall
be non-refundable under any circumstance, and shall be in addition to any other
fee, cost or expense payable pursuant to the Facility, including, without
limitation, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, syndication expenses and
other expenses of Wachovia or Wachovia Securities. PRA further agrees to pay,
and agrees to cause the other Borrowers to pay, the unused commitment fee and
other fees in the amounts and at the times set forth in the Term Sheet. In
addition, all of the fees set forth in this Fee Letter shall not be subject to
counterclaim or setoff for, or be otherwise affected by, any claim or dispute
PRA or any of its subsidiaries may have. It is understood that no Lender
participating in the Facility will receive compensation from PRA or any of its
subsidiaries outside the terms contained herein, in the Commitment Letter and in
the Term Sheet in order to obtain its commitment. Wachovia and Wachovia
Securities may allocate among their affiliates any of the fees payable hereunder
in their sole discretion.

        Wachovia Securities shall be entitled, after consultation with you, to
change the pricing, terms, allocation or structure of the Facility, either
before or within a period of forty-five (45) days after the closing of the
Facility, if Wachovia Securities determines in its sole discretion that such
changes are advisable in order to ensure a successful syndication (a successful
syndication being one in which Wachovia is able to achieve its targeted hold
level of $25 million) or an optimal capital structure; provided that the total
amount of the Facility shall remain unchanged. The commitments of Wachovia and
Wachovia Securities under the Commitment Letter are subject to the agreements in
this paragraph. The Term Sheet shall be deemed to be amended to reflect such
changes and the syndication process shall continue. The agreements in this
paragraph shall survive the closing of the Facility.

        Wachovia agrees that it will provide to PRA a discount in the amount set
forth below from the customary amount of any future underwriting fee (as
determined based on then current market conditions, such fee, the "Future
Underwriting Fee") payable to Wachovia in connection with any senior bank credit
financing fully underwritten by Wachovia (a "Future Facility") and closed during
the corresponding period set forth below; provided that (a) Wachovia acts as the
sole and exclusive administrative agent and Wachovia Securities acts as the sole
and exclusive lead arranger and book manager with respect to such Future
Facility, and (b) the aggregate amount of such Future Facility equals or exceeds
$75 million.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              AMOUNT OF REDUCTION                          PERIOD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>
                                        On or prior to the first anniversary of the
                  $225,000.00                   closing date of the Facility
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        On or prior to the second anniversary of the
                  $187,500.00                   closing date of the Facility
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     $0.00                               Thereafter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Wachovia shall not be required to provide such
discount to PRA to the extent that such discount would result in the amount of
the Future Underwriting Fee payable to Wachovia, after deducting the amount of
any portion of the Future Underwriting Fee to be paid to potential lenders to
obtain their commitment to the Future Facility, to be less that 25 bps of the
aggregate amount of the Future Facility.

        Except as required by applicable law, this Fee Letter and the contents
hereof shall not be disclosed by PRA or any of its subsidiaries to any third
party without the prior written consent of Wachovia and Wachovia Securities,
other than as permitted by the Commitment Letter.

        This Fee Letter, together with the Term Sheet and the Commitment Letter,
embodies the entire agreement and understanding between Wachovia, Wachovia
Securities and PRA with respect to the specific matters set forth above and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject
matter hereof. No party has been authorized by Wachovia or Wachovia Securities
to make any oral or written statements inconsistent with this Fee Letter.

        This Fee Letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York. Each of us hereby irrevocably waives all
right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based
on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Fee Letter,
the transactions contemplated hereby or the actions of Wachovia and Wachovia
Securities in the negotiation, performance or enforcement hereof. This Fee
Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an
original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement.
Delivery of an executed signature page of this Fee Letter by facsimile
transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart
hereof; provided that such facsimile transmission shall be promptly followed by
the original thereof.

        This Fee Letter may not be amended or any provision hereof waived or
modified except by an instrument in writing signed by Wachovia, Wachovia
Securities and PRA.

        This Fee Letter may not be assigned by PRA or any other Borrower without
the prior written consent of Wachovia and Wachovia Securities (and any purported
assignment without such consent shall be null and void).

        It is understood and agreed that this Fee Letter shall not constitute or
give rise to any obligation on the part of Wachovia or Wachovia Securities to
provide any financing; such an obligation will only arise under the Commitment
Letter, and only in accordance with the terms thereof, if accepted in accordance
with its terms.

        The commitments of Wachovia and Wachovia Securities as set forth in the
Commitment Letter are subject to the receipt of a signed copy of this Fee
Letter, together with a signed copy of the Commitment Letter. If you are in
agreement with the foregoing, please sign the enclosed copy of this Fee Letter
and return it to Wachovia and Wachovia Securities, together with an executed
copy of the Commitment Letter by no later than the Acceptance Deadline.

                           Very truly yours,

                           WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                           WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

Accepted and Agreed to:

PRA INTERNATIONAL<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 4.1
================================================================================

                             BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

            3 3/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES, SERIES B DUE 2024

                                   ----------

                                     FORM OF

                                    INDENTURE

                          DATED AS OF DECEMBER __, 2004

                                   ----------

                     WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                   AS TRUSTEE

================================================================================

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                                                                     PAGE
                                                                                                                     ----
<S>                                                                                                                 <C>

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE..................................................................1

         SECTION 1.1.          DEFINITIONS............................................................................1
         SECTION 1.2.          OTHER DEFINITIONS......................................................................7
         SECTION 1.3.          TRUST INDENTURE ACT PROVISIONS.........................................................8
         SECTION 1.4.          RULES OF CONSTRUCTION..................................................................9

ARTICLE 2 THE SECURITIES..............................................................................................9

         SECTION 2.1.          FORM AND DATING........................................................................9
         SECTION 2.2.          EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION..........................................................11
         SECTION 2.3.          REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT, CALCULATION AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT.......................11
         SECTION 2.4.          PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST...................................................12
         SECTION 2.5.          SECURITYHOLDER LISTS..................................................................12
         SECTION 2.6.          TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.................................................................13
         SECTION 2.7.          REPLACEMENT SECURITIES................................................................13
         SECTION 2.8.          OUTSTANDING SECURITIES................................................................14
         SECTION 2.9.          TREASURY SECURITIES...................................................................15
         SECTION 2.10.         TEMPORARY SECURITIES..................................................................15
         SECTION 2.11.         CANCELLATION..........................................................................15
         SECTION 2.12.         LEGEND; ADDITIONAL TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS.................................15
         SECTION 2.13.         CUSIP NUMBERS.........................................................................17

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE....................................................................................17

         SECTION 3.1.          TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE..........................................................17
         SECTION 3.2.          SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED................................................17
         SECTION 3.3.          NOTICE OF REDEMPTION..................................................................18
         SECTION 3.4.          EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION........................................................19
         SECTION 3.5.          DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE...........................................................19
         SECTION 3.6.          SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART...........................................................19
         SECTION 3.7.          CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT ON CALL FOR REDEMPTION.........................................19
         SECTION 3.8.          PURCHASE OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF THE HOLDER UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL.................20
         SECTION 3.9.          EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL PURCHASE NOTICE...........................................23
         SECTION 3.10.         DEPOSIT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL PURCHASE PRICE...........................................23
         SECTION 3.11.         REPAYMENT TO THE COMPANY..............................................................24
         SECTION 3.12.         PURCHASE OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF THE HOLDER ON SPECIFIED DATES.....................24
         SECTION 3.13.         SECURITIES PURCHASED IN PART..........................................................27
         SECTION 3.14.         COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS UPON PURCHASE OF SECURITIES...........................27
</Table>

                                       -i-
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                                                                     PAGE
                                                                                                                     ----
<S>                                                                                                                 <C>

ARTICLE 4 CONVERSION.................................................................................................27

         SECTION 4.1.          CONVERSION PRIVILEGE AND CONVERSION RATE..............................................27
         SECTION 4.2.          CONVERSION PROCEDURE..................................................................30
         SECTION 4.3.          FRACTIONAL SHARES.....................................................................31
         SECTION 4.4.          TAXES ON CONVERSION...................................................................32
         SECTION 4.5.          COMPANY TO PROVIDE STOCK..............................................................32
         SECTION 4.6.          ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION RATE.........................................................32
         SECTION 4.7.          NO ADJUSTMENT.........................................................................37
         SECTION 4.8.          ADJUSTMENT FOR TAX PURPOSES...........................................................38
         SECTION 4.9.          NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENT..................................................................38
         SECTION 4.10.         NOTICE OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS........................................................38
         SECTION 4.11.         EFFECT OF RECLASSIFICATION, CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE ON CONVERSION PRIVILEGE.....38
         SECTION 4.12.         TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER..................................................................39
         SECTION 4.13.         VOLUNTARY INCREASE....................................................................40
         SECTION 4.14.         EXCHANGE IN LIEU OF CONVERSION........................................................40

ARTICLE 5 MAKE WHOLE AMOUNT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL....................................................................40

         SECTION 5.1.          ADDITIONAL SHARES.....................................................................40
         SECTION 5.2.          [Intentionally Omitted]...............................................................41
         SECTION 5.3.          CALCULATION AGENT.....................................................................41
         SECTION 5.4.          ADJUSTMENT RELATED TO ADDITIONAL SHARES...............................................42

ARTICLE 6 COVENANTS..................................................................................................42

         SECTION 6.1.          PAYMENT OF SECURITIES.................................................................42
         SECTION 6.2.          SEC REPORTS...........................................................................42
         SECTION 6.3.          COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES...............................................................43
         SECTION 6.4.          FURTHER INSTRUMENTS AND ACTS..........................................................43
         SECTION 6.5.          MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE....................................................43
         SECTION 6.6.          [Intentionally Omitted]...............................................................43
         SECTION 6.7.          STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS........................................................43

ARTICLE 7 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE.......................................................44

         SECTION 7.1.          COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC. ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS...................................44
         SECTION 7.2.          SUCCESSOR SUBSTITUTED.................................................................44

ARTICLE 8 DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.......................................................................................45

         SECTION 8.1.          EVENTS OF DEFAULT.....................................................................45
         SECTION 8.2.          ACCELERATION..........................................................................46
         SECTION 8.3.          OTHER REMEDIES........................................................................47
         SECTION 8.4.          WAIVER OF DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT..............................................47
         SECTION 8.5.          CONTROL BY MAJORITY...................................................................47
         SECTION 8.6.          LIMITATIONS ON SUITS..................................................................48
</Table>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                                                                     PAGE
                                                                                                                     ----
<S>                                                                                                                 <C>

         SECTION 8.7.          RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT AND TO CONVERT...................................48
         SECTION 8.8.          COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE............................................................48
         SECTION 8.9.          TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM......................................................48
         SECTION 8.10.         PRIORITIES............................................................................49
         SECTION 8.11.         UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.................................................................49

ARTICLE 9 TRUSTEE....................................................................................................50

         SECTION 9.1.          DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.....................................................................50
         SECTION 9.2.          RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.....................................................................51
         SECTION 9.3.          INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE..........................................................52
         SECTION 9.4.          TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER..................................................................52
         SECTION 9.5.          NOTICE OF DEFAULT OR EVENTS OF DEFAULT................................................52
         SECTION 9.6.          REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS.........................................................52
         SECTION 9.7.          COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY............................................................52
         SECTION 9.8.          REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE................................................................53
         SECTION 9.9.          SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC......................................................54
         SECTION 9.10.         ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.........................................................54
         SECTION 9.11.         PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.....................................54

ARTICLE 10 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE...................................................................54

         SECTION 10.1.         SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE...............................................54
         SECTION 10.2.         APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY............................................................55
         SECTION 10.3.         REPAYMENT TO COMPANY..................................................................56
         SECTION 10.4.         REINSTATEMENT.........................................................................56

ARTICLE 11 AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS.......................................................................56

         SECTION 11.1.         WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS............................................................56
         SECTION 11.2.         WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS...............................................................57
         SECTION 11.3.         COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT...................................................58
         SECTION 11.4.         REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.....................................................58
         SECTION 11.5.         NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES.................................................58
         SECTION 11.6.         TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.......................................................59
         SECTION 11.7.         EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.....................................................59

ARTICLE 12 [Intentionally Omitted]...................................................................................59

ARTICLE 13 SUBORDINATION.............................................................................................59

         SECTION 13.1.         AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE..............................................................59
         SECTION 13.2.         LIQUIDATION; DISSOLUTION; BANKRUPTCY..................................................59
         SECTION 13.3.         DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS........................................................60
         SECTION 13.4.         ACCELERATION OF SECURITIES............................................................61
         SECTION 13.5.         WHEN DISTRIBUTION MUST BE PAID OVER...................................................61
         SECTION 13.6.         NOTICE BY THE COMPANY.................................................................61
</Table>

                                      -iii-
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                                                                     PAGE
                                                                                                                     ----
<S>                                                                                                                 <C>

         SECTION 13.7.         SUBROGATION...........................................................................61
         SECTION 13.8.         RELATIVE RIGHTS.......................................................................62
         SECTION 13.9.         SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED BY THE COMPANY......................................62
         SECTION 13.10.        DISTRIBUTION OR NOTICE TO REPRESENTATIVE..............................................62
         SECTION 13.11.        RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT....................................................63

ARTICLE 14 MISCELLANEOUS.............................................................................................63

         SECTION 14.1.         TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS..........................................................63
         SECTION 14.2.         NOTICES...............................................................................63
         SECTION 14.3.         COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS..........................................64
         SECTION 14.4.         CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT....................................64
         SECTION 14.5.         RECORD DATE FOR VOTE OR CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS....................................65
         SECTION 14.6.         RULES BY TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR, CALCULATION AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT.....65
         SECTION 14.7.         LEGAL HOLIDAYS........................................................................65
         SECTION 14.8.         GOVERNING LAW.........................................................................65
         SECTION 14.9.         NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.........................................65
         SECTION 14.10.        NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS............................................................65
         SECTION 14.11.        SUCCESSORS............................................................................66
         SECTION 14.12.        MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS.................................................................66
         SECTION 14.13.        SEPARABILITY..........................................................................66
         SECTION 14.14.        TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC......................................................66
</Table>

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>

                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

<Table>
<Caption>
TIA                                                                                         INDENTURE
SECTION                                                                                      SECTION
-------                                                                                     ---------
<S>               <C>                                                                       <C>
Section           310.......................................................................  14.1
                  310(a)(1).................................................................  9.10
                  (a)(2)....................................................................  9.10
                  (a)(3)....................................................................  N.A.**
                  (a)(4)....................................................................  N.A.
                  (a)(5)....................................................................  9.10
                  (b).......................................................................  9.10
                  (c).......................................................................  N.A.
Section           311.......................................................................  14.1
                  311(a)....................................................................  9.11
                  (b).......................................................................  9.11
                  (c).......................................................................  N.A.
Section           312.......................................................................  14.1
                  (a).......................................................................  N.A.
                  (b).......................................................................  14.3
                  (c).......................................................................  14.3
Section           313.......................................................................  14.1
                  313(a)....................................................................  9.6(a)
                  (b)(1)....................................................................  N.A.
                  (b)(2)....................................................................  9.6(a)
                  (c).......................................................................  9.6(a)
                  (d).......................................................................  N.A.
Section           314.......................................................................  14.1
                  314(a)....................................................................  N.A.
                  (b).......................................................................  N.A.
                  (c)(1)....................................................................  N.A.
                  (c)(2)....................................................................  N.A.
                  (c)(3)....................................................................  N.A.
                  (d).......................................................................  N.A.
                  (e).......................................................................  N.A.
                  (f).......................................................................  N.A.
Section           315.......................................................................  14.1
Section           316.......................................................................  14.1
Section           317.......................................................................  14.1
Section           318(c) ...................................................................  14.1
</Table>

----------

*  This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of
   this Indenture.

** N.A. means Not Applicable.

                                       -v-
<PAGE>

         THIS INDENTURE dated as of December __, 2004 is between Bell
Microproducts Inc., a corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of
California (the "Company"), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a
national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United
States, as Trustee (the "Trustee").

         In consideration of the purchase of the Securities (as defined herein)
by the Holders thereof, both parties agree as follows for the benefit of the
other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's 3
3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes, Series B Due 2024.

                                    ARTICLE 1
                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

         SECTION 1.1. DEFINITIONS.

         "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified person, any other
person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this
definition, "control" when used with respect to any person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

         "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent, Calculation Agent or
Conversion Agent.

         "Applicable Conversion Rate" means the Conversion Rate on any Trading
Day, as adjusted in accordance with Section 4.6.

         "Applicable Conversion Reference Period" means:

         (a) with respect to Securities that are converted after the Company has
specified a Redemption Date, the five consecutive Trading Days beginning on the
third Trading Day following the Redemption Date (in the case of a partial
redemption, this clause applies only to those Securities that would be actually
redeemed); or

         (b) in all other cases, the five consecutive Trading Days beginning on
the third Trading Day following the date the Securities are tendered for
conversion.

         "Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange
of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security, the rules and procedures
of the Depositary, in each case to the extent applicable to such transfer or
exchange.

         "Applicable Stock Price" means an amount equal to the average of the
Closing Prices during the Applicable Conversion Reference Period.

         "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company
or any committee of the Board of Directors authorized to act for it with respect
to this Indenture.

<PAGE>

         "Business Day" means each day that is not a Legal Holiday.

         "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or
interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, but excluding any debt
securities convertible into such equity.

         "Cash" means such coin or currency of the United States as at any time
of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

         "Certificated Security" means a Security that is in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A and that does not include the information or
the schedule called for by footnotes 1 and 2 thereof.

         "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value
per share, as it exists on the date of this Indenture and any shares of any
class or classes of Capital Stock of the Company resulting from any
reclassification or reclassifications thereof and which have no preference in
respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and which are
not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, however, that if at any time
there shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares of each such class
then so issuable on conversion of Securities shall be substantially in the
proportion which the total number of shares of such class resulting from all
such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes
resulting from all such reclassifications.

         "Company" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the applicable provisions of
this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor Company.

         "Conversion Value" means an amount equal to (a) the Applicable
Conversion Rate, multiplied by (b) the Applicable Stock Price. The Cash payment
for fractional shares will be based on the Applicable Stock Price.

         "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at
which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered
which office at the date of the execution of this Indenture is located at MAC
N9303-120, Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479,
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration (Bell Microproducts Inc. -- 3 3/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes, Series B Due 2024) or at any other time at such
other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the
Company.

         "Daily Share Amount" means a number of shares of Common Stock, for each
Security and each Trading Day in the Applicable Conversion Reference Period,
that is equal to the greater of:

         (1) zero; or

         (2) a number of shares of Common Stock determined by the following
formula:

    (Closing Price on such Trading Day x Applicable Conversion Rate) - $1,000
   [-------------------------------------------------------------------------]
                      5 x Closing Price on such Trading Day

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

         "Dealer Manager Agreement" means the Dealer Manager Agreement, dated as
of November 15, 2004, between the Company and Credit Suisse First Boston, LLC.

         "Default" or "default" means, when used with respect to the Securities,
any event which is or, after notice or passage of time or both, would be an
Event of Default.

         "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means the Company's obligations under
any particular senior indebtedness that expressly provides that such senior
indebtedness shall be "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes of this
Indenture (provided that the instrument, agreement or other document may place
limitations and conditions on the right of senior indebtedness to exercise the
rights of Designated Senior Indebtedness).

         "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to
time.

         "Exchange Date" has the meaning specified in the Dealer Manager
Agreement.

         "Exchange Time" has the meaning specified in the Dealer Manager
Agreement.

         "Final Maturity Date" means March 5, 2024.

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America as in effect as of the date of this Indenture, including those
set forth in (1) pronouncements of the Public Company Accountant Oversight Board
or any successor entity responsible governing the accounting profession and (2)
the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial
statements (including pro forma financial statements) in registration statements
filed under the Securities Act and periodic reports required to be filed
pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and
pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from
the accounting staff of the SEC.

         "Global Security" means a permanent global security that is in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and that includes the
information and schedule called for by footnotes 1 and 2 thereof and which is
deposited with the Depositary or its custodian and registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee.

         "Holder" or "Securityholder" means the person in whose name a Security
is registered on the Primary Registrar's books.

         "indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, without duplication:

         (1)      all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities,
                  contingent or otherwise of such person:

                  (a)      for borrowed money, including obligations in respect
                           of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency
                           exchange agreements, interest rate protection
                           agreements, and any loans or advances from financial
                           institutions, whether or not evidenced by notes or
                           similar instruments; or

                  (b)      evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar
                           instruments, whether or not the recourse of the
                           holder is to all of such person's assets or to only a
                           portion thereof,

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                           other than any trade payable incurred in the ordinary
                           course of business in connection with the obtaining
                           of materials or services;

         (2)      all of such person's reimbursement obligations and other
                  liabilities, contingent or otherwise, with respect to letters
                  of credit, bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances;

         (3)      all of such person's obligations and liabilities, contingent
                  or otherwise, in respect of leases required, in conformity
                  with GAAP, to be accounted for as capitalized lease
                  obligations on such person's balance sheet, or under other
                  leases for facilities, equipment or related assets, whether or
                  not capitalized, entered into or leased for financing
                  purposes;

         (4)      all of such person's obligations and other liabilities,
                  contingent or otherwise, under any lease or related document,
                  including a Dealer Manager Agreement, in connection with the
                  lease of real property or improvements thereon (or any
                  personal property included as part of any such lease) which
                  provides that such person is contractually obligated to
                  purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased
                  property and thereby guarantee a residual value of leased
                  property to the lessor and all of such person's obligations
                  under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a
                  third party to purchase the leased property (whether or not
                  such lease transaction is characterized as an operating lease
                  or a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP);

         (5)      all of such person's obligations, contingent or otherwise,
                  with respect to an interest rate, currency or other swap, cap,
                  floor or collar agreement, hedge agreement, forward contract,
                  or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency
                  hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement;

         (6)      all of such person's direct or indirect guaranties or similar
                  agreements to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise
                  assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness,
                  obligations or liabilities of another person of the kind
                  described in clauses (1) through (5);

         (7)      any indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (1)
                  through (6) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other
                  encumbrance existing on property which is owned or held by
                  such person, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other
                  obligation secured thereby has been assumed by such person;
                  and

         (8)      any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of,
                  or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any
                  indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in
                  clauses (1) through (7).

         "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time
to time pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

         "Interest Payment Date" means March 5 and September 5 of each year.

         "Non-Payment Default" means any event of default with respect to any
Designated Senior Indebtedness other than any Payment Default pursuant to which
the maturity thereof may be accelerated.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

         "Officer" means the Chairman or any Co-Chairman of the Board, any Vice
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice
President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller, the Secretary, any
Assistant Controller or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

         "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers;
provided, however, that for purposes of Sections 4.11 and 6.3, "Officers'
Certificate" means a certificate signed by the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and
by one other Officer.

         "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel. The
counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

         "Payment Default" means a default in payment, whether at scheduled
maturity, upon scheduled installment, by acceleration or otherwise, of
principal, or premium, if any, or interest on senior indebtedness beyond any
applicable grace period.

         "Permitted Junior Securities" means any equity securities of the
Company or any successor obligor.

         "Person" or "person" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof or any other entity.

         "Principal" or "principal" of a debt security, including the
Securities, means the principal of the security plus, when appropriate, the
premium, if any, on the security.

         "Redemption Date" when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed by the Company for such redemption pursuant to
this Indenture, as set forth in the form of Security annexed as Exhibit A
hereto.

         "Redemption Price" when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the price fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture,
as set forth in the form of Security annexed as Exhibit A hereto.

         "Regular Record Date" means, with respect to each Interest Payment
Date, February 20 or August 20, as the case may be, next preceding such Interest
Payment Date.

         "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "Securities" means the 3 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes, Series B
due 2024 or any of them (each, a "Security"), as amended or supplemented from
time to time, that are issued under this Indenture.

         "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

         "Securities Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to
the Securities in global form, or any successor thereto.

         "senior indebtedness" means any existing and future indebtedness of the
Company, unless by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such
indebtedness, such indebtedness is expressly designated equal or junior in right
of payment to the Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, "senior
indebtedness"

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

shall not include: (i) indebtedness evidenced by the Securities; (ii)
indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary of the Company or any other
affiliate of the Company or any of such affiliate's subsidiaries; and (iii) any
of the Company's trade payables.

         "Significant Subsidiary" means, in respect of any Person, a Subsidiary
of such Person that would constitute a "significant subsidiary" as such term is
defined under Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act.

         "Stock Price" means the price per share of Common Stock paid in
connection with a Change in Control pursuant to which Additional Shares shall be
added to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, which shall be
equal to (i) if Holders of Common Stock receive only Cash in such Change in
Control, the Cash amount paid per share of Common Stock, and (ii) in all other
cases, the average of the Closing Prices of the Common Stock on the ten Trading
Days up to but not including the Effective Date of such Change in Control.

         "Subsidiary" means, in respect of any Person, any corporation,
association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the
total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including
partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or
trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
(i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person;
or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

         "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as
provided in Section 11.3, and except to the extent any amendment to the Trust
Indenture Act expressly provides for application of the Trust Indenture Act as
in effect on another date.

         "Trading Day" means (i) if the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market or any other system of automated dissemination of quotations of
securities prices, days on which trades may be effected through such system,
(ii) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on any national or
regional securities exchange, days on which such national or regional securities
exchange is open for business, or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a
national or regional securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market
or any other system of automated dissemination of quotation of securities
prices, days on which the Common Stock is traded regular way in the
over-the-counter market and for which a closing bid and a closing asked price
for the Common Stock are available.

         The "Trading Price" of the Securities on any date of determination
means the average of the secondary market bid quotations per Security obtained
by the Conversion Agent for $2,500,000 principal amount of the Securities at
approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from two
independent nationally-recognized securities dealers selected by the Company,
which may include Credit Suisse First Boston, LLC, provided that if at least two
such bids cannot be reasonably obtained by the Conversion Agent, but one such
bid can be reasonably obtained by the Conversion Agent, this one bid will be
used. If the Conversion Agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for
$2,500,000 principal amount of the Securities from a nationally-recognized
securities dealer or if, in the Company's reasonable judgment, the bid
quotations are not indicative of the secondary market value of the Securities,
then the Trading Price of the Securities will be deemed to be less than 98% of
the then current Conversion Rate multiplied by the Closing Price per share of
the Common Stock on such determination date.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

         "Trustee" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of
this Indenture, and thereafter means the successor.

         "Trust Officer" means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer
assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, and also, with respect to a particular
matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such
officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

         "Vice President" when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee,
means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president."

         "Voting Stock" of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other
interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and
normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

         SECTION 1.2. OTHER DEFINITIONS.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                              TERM                                                  DEFINED IN SECTION
                                              ----                                                  ------------------
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
"Additional Shares"..........................................................................              5.1
"Agent Members"..............................................................................              2.1
"Bankruptcy Law".............................................................................              8.1
"Calculation Agent" .........................................................................              2.3
"Change in Control"..........................................................................              3.8
"Change in Control Purchase Date"............................................................              3.8
"Change in Control Purchase Notice"..........................................................              3.8
"Change in Control Purchase Price"...........................................................              3.8
"Closing Price"..............................................................................              4.6
"Company Order"..............................................................................              2.2
"Company Put Right Notice" ..................................................................              3.12
"Conversion Agent"...........................................................................              2.3
"Conversion Date"............................................................................              4.2
"Conversion Price"...........................................................................              4.1
"Conversion Rate"............................................................................              4.1
"Conversion Value"...........................................................................              4.1
"Current Market Price".......................................................................              4.6
"Custodian"..................................................................................              8.1
"Dealer Manager Agreement"...................................................................              2.1
"Depositary".................................................................................              2.1
"Determination Date".........................................................................              4.6
"Distributed Securities" ....................................................................              4.6
"Distribution Notice"........................................................................              4.1
"DTC"........................................................................................              2.1
"Effective Date".............................................................................              5.1
"Event of Default"...........................................................................              8.1
"Expiration Date"............................................................................              4.6
"Expiration Time"............................................................................              4.6
"Financial Institution" .....................................................................              4.14
"Instrument" ................................................................................              8.1
</Table>

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

<Table>
<Caption>
                                              TERM                                                  DEFINED IN SECTION
                                              ----                                                  ------------------
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
"Legal Holiday"..............................................................................             14.7
"Legend" ....................................................................................              2.12
"Merger Notice"..............................................................................              4.1
"Net Share Amount"...........................................................................              4.1
"Net Shares".................................................................................              4.1
"Notice of Default"..........................................................................              8.1
"Paying Agent"...............................................................................              2.3
"Payment Blockage Period"....................................................................             13.3
"Principal Return"...........................................................................              4.1
"Principal Value Conversion".................................................................              4.1
"Primary Registrar"..........................................................................              2.3
"Purchased Shares"...........................................................................              4.6
"purchases" .................................................................................              4.6
"Put Right Purchase Date" ...................................................................              3.12
"Put Right Purchase Notice" .................................................................              3.12
"Put Right Purchase Price" ..................................................................              3.12
"record date" ...............................................................................              4.6
"Registrar"..................................................................................              2.3
"Rights".....................................................................................              4.6
"Rights Plan"................................................................................              4.6
"Spinoff Securities".........................................................................              4.6
"Spinoff Valuation Period"...................................................................              4.6
"Stock Price Cap"............................................................................              5.1
"Stock Price Threshold"......................................................................              5.1
"tender offer"...............................................................................              4.6
"tendered shares" ...........................................................................              4.6
"Trading Price"..............................................................................              4.1
"trading price condition"....................................................................              4.1
"Trigger Event" .............................................................................              4.6
"Triggering Distribution"....................................................................              4.6
"Valuation Period"...........................................................................              5.2
</Table>

         SECTION 1.3. TRUST INDENTURE ACT PROVISIONS.

         Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, that
provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
This Indenture shall also include those provisions of the TIA required to be
included herein by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990. The
following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

         "indenture securities" means the Securities;

         "indenture security holder" means a Securityholder;

         "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

         "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on
the Securities.

         All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by any SEC rule and not
otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.

         SECTION 1.4. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

         (a) Unless the context otherwise requires:

                  (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

                  (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

                  (3) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the
plural include the singular;

                  (4) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

                  (5) the term "merger" includes a statutory share exchange and
the term "merged" has a correlative meaning;

                  (6) the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter;

                  (7) references to agreements and other instruments include
subsequent amendments thereto; and

                  (8) "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import refer
to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other
subdivision.

                                    ARTICLE 2
                                 THE SECURITIES

         SECTION 2.1. FORM AND DATING.

         The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the respective forms set forth in Exhibit A, which Exhibit is
incorporated in and made part of this Indenture. The Securities may have
notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or
usage. The Company shall provide any such notations, legends or endorsements to
the Trustee in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its
authentication. The Securities are being offered and exchanged by the Company
pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-_____) filed with
the SEC on _________, 2004.

         (a) Global Securities. All of the Securities shall be issued initially
in the form of one or more Global Securities, which shall be deposited on behalf
of the purchasers of the Securities represented thereby with the Trustee, at its
Corporate Trust Office, as custodian for the depositary, The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC", and such depositary, or any successor thereto, being hereinafter
referred to as the "Depositary"), and

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

registered in the name of its nominee, Cede & Co. (or any successor thereto),
for the accounts of participation in the Depositary duly executed by the Company
and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate
principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or
decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Securities Custodian as
hereinafter provided, subject in each case to compliance with the Applicable
Procedures.

         (b) Global Securities In General. Each Global Security shall represent
such of the outstanding Securities as shall be specified therein and each shall
provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities
from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding
Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as
appropriate, to reflect replacements, exchanges, purchases, redemptions, or
conversions of such Securities. Any adjustment of the aggregate principal amount
of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the
amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the
Trustee in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required
by Section 2.12 hereof and shall be made on the records of the Trustee and the
Depositary.

         Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("Agent Members") shall
have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on
their behalf by the Depositary or under the Global Security, and the Depositary
(including, for this purpose, its nominee) may be treated by the Company, the
Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner and
Holder of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing herein shall (1) prevent the Company, the Trustee or any
agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written
certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or (2)
impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of
customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any
Security.

         (c) Book Entry Provisions. The Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall, in accordance with this Subsection 2.1(c), authenticate and deliver
initially one or more Global Securities that (1) shall be registered in the name
of the Depositary or its nominee, (2) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the
Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instructions and (3) shall bear
legends substantially to the following effect:

         "UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
         OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. OR ITS AGENT
         FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
         ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS
         IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
         COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER
         ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
         DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
         VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED
         OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. THIS SECURITY IS A
         GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER
         REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE
         THEREOF. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE
         NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE
         LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND, UNLESS AND UNTIL
         IT IS EXCHANGED IN

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

         WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY
         NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF
         THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
         ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH
         NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR
         DEPOSITARY."

         SECTION 2.2. EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.

         (a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is limited to $110,000,000 (but
shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Company's 3 3/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2024) except as provided in Sections 2.6,
2.7 and 2.10.

         (b) An Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature attested by the manual or facsimile signature of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Typographic and other minor
errors or defects in any such facsimile signature shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any Security which has been authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee.

         (c) If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that
office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be
valid nevertheless.

         (d) A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated
under this Indenture.

         (e) The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery
Securities for original issue in the aggregate principal amount of up to
$$110,000,000 (but not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Company's
3 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2024) upon receipt of a written order
or orders of the Company signed by two Officers of the Company (a "Company
Order"). The Company Order shall specify the amount of Securities to be
authenticated, and the date on which each original issue of Securities is to be
authenticated.

         (f) The Trustee shall act as the initial authenticating agent.
Thereafter, the Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the
Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate
Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
authenticating agent shall have the same rights as an Agent to deal with the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

         (g) The Securities shall be issuable only in registered form without
coupons and only in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and any integral
multiple thereof.

         SECTION 2.3. REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT, CALCULATION AGENT AND CONVERSION
                      AGENT.

         (a) The Company shall maintain one or more offices or agencies where
Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (each,
a "Registrar"), one or more offices or agencies where

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

Securities may be presented for payment (each, a "Paying Agent"), one or more
offices or agencies where Securities may be presented for conversion (each, a
"Conversion Agent"), one or more offices or agencies where the Stock Price and
number of Additional Shares may be calculated in accordance with Section 5.3
(each, a "Calculation Agent") and one or more offices or agencies where notices
and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this
Indenture may be served. The Company will at all times maintain a Paying Agent,
Conversion Agent, Registrar, Calculation Agent and an office or agency where
notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this
Indenture may be served in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. One
of the Registrars (the "Primary Registrar") shall keep a register of the
Securities and of their transfer and exchange.

         (b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with
any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify
the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.
If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent, Calculation Agent,
Conversion Agent or agent for service of notices and demands in any place
required by this Indenture, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee
shall act as such. The Company or any Affiliate of the Company may act as Paying
Agent (except for the purposes of Section 6.1 and Article 10).

         (c) The Company hereby initially designates (1) the Trustee as Paying
Agent, Registrar, Custodian and Conversion Agent, and each of the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee and the office or agency of the Trustee, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, one such office or agency of the
Company for each of the aforesaid purposes and (2) Credit Suisse First Boston
LLC as Calculation Agent.

         SECTION 2.4. PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.

         Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the
principal of, or interest, on any Securities, the Company shall deposit with a
Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest, so becoming
due. Subject to Sections 10.2 and 10.3, a Paying Agent shall hold in trust for
the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent
for the payment of principal of, or interest, on the Securities, and shall
notify the Trustee of any default by the Company (or any other obligor on the
Securities) in making any such payment. If the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall, before 11:00 a.m., New York City time,
on each due date of the principal of, or interest, on any Securities, segregate
the money and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee, and the
Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any default, upon written
request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith to the
Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent. Upon doing so, the
Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall have no further liability for the
money.

         SECTION 2.5. SECURITYHOLDER LISTS.

         The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the Primary Registrar, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee on or before each semiannual Interest Payment Date and at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and
as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses
of Securityholders.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 2.6. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

         (a) Subject to compliance with any applicable additional requirements
contained in Section 2.12, when a Security is presented to a Registrar with a
request to register a transfer thereof or to exchange such Security for an equal
principal amount of Securities of other authorized denominations, the Registrar
shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested; provided,
however, that every Security presented or surrendered for registration of
transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by an assignment form
and, if applicable, a transfer certificate each in the form included in Exhibit
A, and in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof
or its attorney duly authorized in writing. To permit registration of transfers
and exchanges, upon surrender of any Security for registration of transfer or
exchange at an office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 2.3, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities of a like aggregate
principal amount at the Registrar's request. Any exchange or transfer shall be
without charge, except that the Company or the Registrar may require payment of
a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in relation thereto, and provided, that this sentence shall not apply to
any exchange pursuant to Section 2.10, 3.6, 3.13, 4.2(e) or 11.5.

         (b) Neither the Company, any Registrar nor the Trustee shall be
required to exchange or register a transfer of (1) any Securities for a period
of 15 days next preceding mailing of a notice of Securities to be redeemed, (2)
any Securities or portions thereof selected or called for redemption (except in
the case of redemption of a Security in part, the portion thereof not to be
redeemed) or (3) any Securities or portions thereof in respect of which a Change
in Control Purchase Notice has been delivered and not withdrawn by the Holder
thereof (except, in the case of the purchase of a Security in part, the portion
thereof not to be purchased).

         (c) All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities
shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled
to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon
such transfer or exchange.

         (d) Any Registrar appointed pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof shall
provide to the Trustee such information as the Trustee may reasonably require in
connection with the delivery by such Registrar of Securities upon transfer or
exchange of Securities.

         (e) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the
Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or
assignment of such Holder's Security in violation of any provision of this
Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities law.

         (f) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine
or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this
Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest
in any Security (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or other
beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require
delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are
expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms
of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance
as to form with the express requirements hereof.

         SECTION 2.7. REPLACEMENT SECURITIES.

         (a) If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Company, a
Registrar or the Trustee, or the Company, a Registrar and the Trustee receive
evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

any Security, and there is delivered to the Company, the applicable Registrar
and the Trustee such security or indemnity as will be required by them to save
each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company, such
Registrar or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute, and upon its written request the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for any such mutilated Security or
in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of like
tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

         (b) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has
become or is about to become due and payable, or is about to be purchased,
redeemed or by the Company pursuant to Article 3, the Company in its discretion
may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay, redeem, or purchase such Security,
as the case may be.

         (c) Upon the issuance of any new Securities under this Section 2.7, the
Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
reasonable expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of the Trustee
or the Registrar) in connection therewith.

         (d) Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section 2.7 in lieu of
any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone,
and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

         (e) The provisions of this Section 2.7 are (to the extent lawful)
exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and
remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Securities.

         SECTION 2.8. OUTSTANDING SECURITIES.

         (a) Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated
by the Trustee, except for those canceled by it, those redeemed or purchased
pursuant to Article 3, those converted pursuant to Article 4, those delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation or surrendered for transfer or exchange and those
described in this Section 2.8 as not outstanding.

         (b) If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Company receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

         (c) If a Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company) holds in respect of the outstanding Securities on a Redemption Date, a
Change in Control Purchase Date or the Final Maturity Date money sufficient to
pay the principal of (including premium, if any) and accrued interest on
Securities (or portions thereof) payable on that date, then on and after such
Redemption Date, Change in Control Purchase Date, or the Final Maturity Date, as
the case may be, such Securities (or portions thereof, as the case may be) shall
cease to be outstanding and interest on them shall cease to accrue; provided
that if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been
duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision thereof satisfactory to the
Trustee has been made.

         (d) Subject to the restrictions contained in Section 2.9, a Security
does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company holds the Security.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 2.9. TREASURY SECURITIES.

         In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Securities have concurred in any notice, direction, waiver or consent,
Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities or by any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded, except
that, for purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in
relying on any such notice, direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which
a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so
disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not
be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the
pledgee's right so to act with respect to the Securities and that the pledgee is
not the Company or any other obligor on the Securities or any Affiliate of the
Company or of such other obligor.

         SECTION 2.10. TEMPORARY SECURITIES.

         Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may
prepare and execute, and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be
substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that
the Company with the consent of the Trustee considers appropriate for temporary
Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities in exchange for
temporary Securities.

         SECTION 2.11. CANCELLATION.

         The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent shall
forward to the Trustee or its agent any Securities surrendered to them for
transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase, purchase, payment or conversion. The
Trustee and no one else shall cancel, in accordance with its standard
procedures, all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, redemption,
purchase, purchase, payment, conversion or cancellation and shall deliver the
canceled Securities to the Company. All Securities which are redeemed,
purchased, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries prior to the Final Maturity Date shall be delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation, and the Company may not hold or resell such Securities or
issue any new Securities to replace any such Securities or any Securities that
any Holder has converted pursuant to Article 4.

         SECTION 2.12. LEGEND; ADDITIONAL TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS.

         (a) If Securities are issued upon the transfer, exchange or replacement
of Securities subject to restrictions on transfer and bearing the legends set
forth in Section 2.1(c) (the "Legend").

         (b) A Global Security may not be transferred, in whole or in part, to
any Person other than the Depositary or a nominee or any successor thereof, and
no such transfer to any such other Person may be registered; provided that the
foregoing shall not prohibit any transfer of a Security that is issued in
exchange for a Global Security but is not itself a Global Security. No transfer
of a Security to any Person shall be effective under this Indenture or the
Securities unless and until such Security has been registered in the name of
such Person. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture or the
Securities, transfers of a Global Security, in whole or in part, shall be made
only in accordance with this Section 2.12.

         (c) [Intentionally Omitted].

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

         (d) [Intentionally Omitted].

         (e) The provisions below shall apply only to Global Securities:

                  (1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture or
the Securities, a Global Security shall not be exchanged in whole or in part for
a Security registered in the name of any Person other than the Depositary or one
or more nominees thereof, provided that a Global Security may be exchanged for
Securities registered in the names of any person designated by the Depositary in
the event that (A) the Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling
or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or such Depositary
has ceased to be a "clearing agency" registered under the Exchange Act, and a
successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, (B) the
Company has provided the Depositary with written notice that it has decided to
discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfer through the Depositary or
any successor Depositary or (C) an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing with respect to the Securities. Any Global Security exchanged
pursuant to subclauses (A) or (B) immediately above shall be so exchanged in
whole and not in part, and any Global Security exchanged pursuant to subclause
(C) above may be exchanged in whole or from time to time in part as directed by
the Depositary. Any Security issued in exchange for a Global Security or any
portion thereof shall be a Global Security; provided that any such Security so
issued that is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or a
nominee thereof shall not be a Global Security.

                  (2) Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any
portion thereof shall be issued in definitive, fully registered form, without
interest coupons, shall have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of such
Global Security or portion thereof to be so exchanged, shall be registered in
such names and be in such authorized denominations as the Depositary shall
designate and shall bear the applicable legends provided for herein. Any Global
Security to be exchanged in whole shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the
Trustee, as Registrar. With regard to any Global Security to be exchanged in
part, either such Global Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or, if
the Trustee is acting as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee with
respect to such Global Security, the principal amount thereof shall be reduced,
by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged, by means of an
appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Trustee. Upon any such
surrender or adjustment, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Security
issuable on such exchange to or upon the order of the Depositary or an
authorized representative thereof.

                  (3) Subject to the provisions of clause (5) of this Subsection
2.12(e), the registered Holder may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any
Person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through
Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this
Indenture or the Securities.

                  (4) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events
specified in clause (1) of this Subsection 2.12(e) above, the Company will
promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Certificated
Securities in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons.

                  (5) Neither Agent Members nor any other Persons on whose
behalf Agent Members may act shall have any rights under this Indenture with
respect to any Global Security registered in the name of the Depositary or any
nominee thereof, or under any such Global Security, and the Depositary or such
nominee, as the case may be, may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any
agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner and holder of such
Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or
other authorization furnished by the Depositary or

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

such nominee, as the case may be, or impair, as between the Depositary, its
Agent Members and any other Person on whose behalf an Agent Member may act, the
operation of customary practices of such Persons governing the exercise of the
rights of a holder of any Security.

         SECTION 2.13. CUSIP NUMBERS.

         The Company in issuing the Securities may use one or more "CUSIP"
numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP"
numbers in notices of redemption or purchase as a convenience to Holders;
provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained
in any notice of a redemption or purchase and that reliance may be placed only
on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such
redemption or purchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of
such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the
"CUSIP" numbers.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                             REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE

         SECTION 3.1. TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE.

         (a) Prior to March 5, 2009, the Securities shall not be redeemable. The
Company may, at its option, redeem the Securities at any time (i) on or after
March 5, 2009 and prior to March 5, 2011, if the Closing Price of the Common
Stock exceeds 130% of the Conversion Price then in effect for least 20 Trading
Days within a period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day
before the date of mailing of the notice of redemption as set forth in Section
3.3 hereof for Cash in whole, or from time to time in part (which must be equal
to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof), at a Redemption Price equal to
$1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the Securities being redeemed, plus
accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, or (ii) on
or after March 5, 2011, for Cash in whole, or from time to time in part (which
must be equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof), at a Redemption Price
equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities being redeemed, plus
accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided
that if the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or before
an Interest Payment Date, then the interest will be payable to the Holders in
whose names the Securities are registered at the close of business on such
Regular Record Date and the Redemption Price shall not include such interest
payment. Securities or portions of the Securities called for redemption shall be
convertible by the Holder in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 until
the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Redemption Date.

         (b) If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant to this Section
3.1, it shall notify the Trustee at least 25 days prior to the Redemption Date
as fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the
Trustee) of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities to be
redeemed. If fewer than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the record
date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Company and given to
the Trustee, which record date shall not be less than five days after the date
of notice to the Trustee.

         SECTION 3.2. SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED.

         (a) If less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, unless the
procedures of the Depositary provide otherwise, the Trustee shall, at least 20
days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date,

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

select the Securities to be redeemed. The Trustee shall make the selection from
the Securities outstanding and not previously called for redemption by lot, or
in its discretion, on a pro rata basis. Securities in denominations of $1,000
may only be redeemed in whole. The Trustee may select for redemption portions
(equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal of
Securities that have denominations larger than $1,000. Provisions of this
Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions
of Securities called for redemption.

         (b) If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in
part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of
the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed
to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted
subsequent to the Trustee commencing selection of Securities to be redeemed but
prior to redemption of such Securities shall be treated by the Trustee as
outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

         SECTION 3.3. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

         (a) At least 20 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption
Date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of redemption to
each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder's address as it appears
on the Registrar's books.

         (b) The notice shall identify the Securities (including CUSIP numbers)
to be redeemed and shall state:

                  (1) the Redemption Date;

                  (2) the Redemption Price;

                  (3) the then effective Conversion Price and Conversion Rate;

                  (4) the name and address of each Paying Agent and Conversion
Agent;

                  (5) that Securities called for redemption must be presented
and surrendered to a Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price;

                  (6) that Holders who wish to convert Securities must surrender
such Securities for conversion no later than the close of business on the
Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date and must satisfy the
other requirements set forth in paragraph 9 of the Securities and Article 4
hereof;

                  (7) that, unless the Company defaults in making the payment of
the Redemption Price, interest on Securities called for redemption shall cease
to accrue on and after the Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the
Holder shall be to receive payment of the Redemption Price plus any accrued and
unpaid interest payable to such Holder upon presentation and surrender to a
Paying Agent of the Securities; and

                  (8) if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of
the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the
Redemption Date, upon presentation and surrender of such Security, a new
Security or Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed
portion thereof will be issued.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

         (c) If any of the Securities to be redeemed is in the form of a Global
Security, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to
accord with the procedures of the Depositary applicable to redemptions. At the
Company's written request, which request shall (1) be irrevocable once given and
(2) set forth all relevant information required by clauses (1) through (8) of
Subsection 3.3(b), the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption to each
Holder in the Company's name and at the Company's expense.

         At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give such notice of
redemption on behalf of the Company and at the Company's expense; provided,
however, that, in all cases, the text of such notice of redemption shall be
prepared by the Company.

         SECTION 3.4. EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

         Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption
become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price stated
in the notice, together with any accrued and unpaid interest payable upon
redemption, except for Securities that are converted in accordance with the
provisions of Article 4. On or after the Redemption Date and upon presentation
and surrender to a Paying Agent, Securities called for redemption shall be paid
at the Redemption Price, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, up to but not
including the Redemption Date; provided that if the Redemption Date falls after
a Regular Record Date and on or before an Interest Payment Date, then interest
on the Securities will be payable to the Holders in whose names the Securities
are registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date and the
Redemption Price shall not include such interest payment.

         SECTION 3.5. DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.

         Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date, the
Company shall deposit with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company acts as Paying
Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money (in immediately
available funds if deposited on such Redemption Date) sufficient to pay the
Redemption Price of, and any accrued and unpaid interest payable upon redemption
on, all Securities to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or
portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by
the Company to the Trustee for cancellation or have been converted. The Paying
Agent shall as promptly as practicable return to the Company any money not
required for that purpose because of the conversion of Securities pursuant to
Article 4 or, if such money is then held by the Company in trust and is not
required for such purpose, it shall be discharged from the trust.

         SECTION 3.6. SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART.

         Upon presentation and surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part,
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the
Security surrendered.

         SECTION 3.7. CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT ON CALL FOR REDEMPTION.

         In connection with any redemption of Securities, the Company may
arrange for the purchase and conversion of any Securities called for redemption
by an agreement with one or more investment banks or other purchasers to
purchase such Securities by paying to a Paying Agent (other than the Company or
any of its Affiliates) in trust for the Holders, on or before 11:00 a.m. New
York City time, on the Redemption Date, an amount that, together with any
amounts deposited with such Paying Agent by the Company for the redemption of
such Securities, is not less than the Redemption Price, together with any
accrued and unpaid

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

interest accrued to, but not including, the Redemption Date of such Securities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 3, the
obligation of the Company to pay the Redemption Price of such Securities,
including all accrued and unpaid interest, shall be deemed to be satisfied and
discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 3.7 shall relieve the Company of its
obligation to pay the Redemption Price, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, to
but excluding the relevant Redemption Date, on Securities called for redemption.
If such an agreement with one or more investment banks or other purchasers is
entered into, any Securities called for redemption and not surrendered for
conversion by the Holders thereof prior to the relevant Redemption Date may, at
the option of the Company upon written notice to the Trustee, be deemed, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, acquired by such purchasers from such Holders
and (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Article 4)
surrendered by such purchasers for conversion, all as of 11:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the Redemption Date, subject to payment of the above amount as
aforesaid. The Paying Agent shall hold and pay to the Holders whose Securities
are selected for redemption any such amount paid to it for purchase in the same
manner as it would money deposited with it by the Company for the redemption of
Securities. Without the Paying Agent's prior written consent, no arrangement
between the Company and such purchasers for the purchase and conversion of any
Securities shall increase or otherwise affect any of the powers, duties,
responsibilities or obligations of the Paying Agent as set forth in this
Indenture, and the Company agrees to indemnify the Paying Agent from, and hold
it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense arising out of or in
connection with any such arrangement for the purchase and conversion of any
Securities between the Company and such purchasers, including the costs and
expenses incurred by the Paying Agent in the defense of any claim or liability
arising out of or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its
powers, duties, responsibilities or obligations under this Indenture.

         SECTION 3.8. PURCHASE OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF THE HOLDER UPON CHANGE
                      IN CONTROL.

         (a) If at any time the Securities remain outstanding there shall have
occurred a Change in Control, all or any portion of the Securities of any Holder
equal to $1,000 or a integral multiple of $1,000, shall be purchased by the
Company, at the option of such Holder, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Securities to be purchased, together with interest
accrued and unpaid to, but excluding, the Change in Control Purchase Date (the
"Change in Control Purchase Price"), on the date (the "Change in Control
Purchase Date") that is 45 days after the date of the Change in Control Purchase
Notice; provided, however, if the Change in Control Purchase Date falls after a
Regular Record Date and on or before an Interest Payment Date, then interest on
the Securities shall be payable to the Holders in whose name the Securities are
registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date.

         (b) Whenever in this Indenture (including Sections 2.1, 8.1 and 8.7
hereof) or in the form of Securities there is a reference, in any context, to
the principal of any Securities as of any time, such reference shall be deemed
to include reference to the Change in Control Purchase Price payable in respect
to such Securities to the extent that such Change in Control Purchase Price is,
was or would be so payable at such time, and express mention of the Change in
Control Purchase Price in any provision of this Indenture shall not be construed
as excluding the Change in Control Purchase Price in those provisions of this
Indenture when such express mention is not made.

         (c) A "Change in Control" of the Company, or any successor entity who
is subject to the terms of this Indenture, shall be deemed to have occurred at
such time after the original issuance of Securities as any of the following
events shall occur:

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                  (1) the acquisition by any person of beneficial ownership,
directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger (except a merger or
consolidation described in subclause (2) of this Subsection) or other
acquisition transaction or series of transactions, of shares of the Capital
Stock of the Company entitling that person to exercise 50% or more of the total
voting power of all shares of such Capital Stock entitled to vote generally in
elections of directors, other than any acquisition by the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any employee benefit plans of the Company;

                  (2) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into
any other person, any merger of another person into the Company, or any
conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the Company's properties and assets to another person, other than:

                           (A) any transaction (i) that does not result in any
reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of
Capital Stock of the Company and (ii) pursuant to which holders of the Capital
Stock of the Company immediately prior to the transaction are entitled to
exercise, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total voting power of all
shares of the Capital Stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors of the continuing or surviving person immediately after
the transaction;

                           (B) any merger solely for the purpose of changing the
Company's jurisdiction of incorporation and resulting in a reclassification,
conversion or exchange of outstanding shares of Common Stock solely into shares
of common stock of the surviving entity; or

                           (C) any merger or consolidation where all of the
consideration (excluding Cash payments for fractional shares and Cash payments
made pursuant to dissenters' appraisal rights) consists of shares of common
stock traded on a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market, or will be so traded or quoted immediately following such merger or
consolidation, and as a result of such merger or consolidation the Securities
become convertible solely into such common stock.

                  (3) during any consecutive two-year period, individuals who at
the beginning of that two-year period constituted the Board of Directors
(together with any new directors whose election to the Board of Directors, or
whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company, was approved
by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who were either
directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for
election were previously so approved) cease to constitute a majority of the
Board of Directors then in office; or

                  (4) a resolution is passed by the Company's stockholders
approving a plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company other than a
transaction which complies with the provisions described in Article 7 of this
Indenture.

         (d) Beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Rule
13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. The term "person" shall
include any syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a "person" under
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

         (e) Within 30 days after the occurrence of a Change in Control, the
Company, or, at the written request and expense of the Company, the Trustee,
shall mail a written notice of the Change in Control to the Trustee (if the
Trustee does not mail such notice) and to each Holder (and to beneficial owners
as required by applicable law). The notice shall include the form of a Change in
Control Purchase Notice to be completed by the Holder and shall state:

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

                  (1) the date of such Change in Control and, briefly, the
events causing such Change in Control;

                  (2) the date by which the Change in Control Purchase Notice
pursuant to this Section 3.8 must be given;

                  (3) the Change in Control Purchase Date;

                  (4) the Change in Control Purchase Price;

                  (5) the Holder's right to require the Company to purchase the
Securities;

                  (6) briefly, the conversion rights of the Securities;

                  (7) the name and address of each Paying Agent and Conversion
Agent and that the Securities must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect
payment;

                  (8) the then effective Conversion Price and Conversion Rate;

                  (9) the procedures that the Holder must follow to exercise
rights under Article 4 and that Securities as to which a Change in Control
Purchase Notice has been given may be converted into Common Stock pursuant to
Article 4 of this Indenture only to the extent that the Change in Control
Purchase Notice has been withdrawn in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture;

                  (10) the procedures that the Holder must follow to exercise
rights under this Section 3.8; and

                  (11) the procedures for withdrawing a Change in Control
Purchase Notice, including a form of notice of withdrawal.

If any of the Securities is in the form of a Global Security, then the Company
shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures
of the Depositary applicable to the purchase of Global Securities.

         (f) A Holder may exercise its rights specified in Subsection (a) of
this Section 3.8 upon delivery of a written notice (which shall be in
substantially the form included in Exhibit A hereto and which may be delivered
by letter, overnight courier, hand delivery, facsimile transmission or in any
other written form and, in the case of Global Securities, may be delivered
electronically or by other means in accordance with the Depositary's customary
procedures) of the exercise of such rights (a "Change in Control Purchase
Notice") to any Paying Agent at any time prior to the close of business on the
Business Day next preceding the Change in Control Purchase Date.

                  (1) The delivery of such Security to any Paying Agent prior
to, on or after the Change in Control Purchase Date (together with all necessary
endorsements) at the office of such Paying Agent shall be a condition to the
receipt by the Holder of the Change in Control Purchase Price therefor.

                  (2) The Company shall purchase from the Holder thereof
pursuant to this Section 3.8, a portion of a Security if the principal amount of
such portion is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

Provisions of this Indenture that apply to the purchase of all of a Security
also apply to the purchase of such portion of such Security.

                  (3) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any
Holder delivering to a Paying Agent the Change in Control Purchase Notice
contemplated by this Subsection 3.8(f) shall have the right to withdraw such
Change in Control Purchase Notice in whole or in a portion thereof that is a
principal amount of $1,000 or in an integral multiple thereof at any time prior
to the close of business on the Business Day next preceding the Change in
Control Purchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the
Paying Agent in accordance with Section 3.9.

                  (4) A Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the
receipt by it of any Change in Control Purchase Notice or written withdrawal
thereof.

                  (5) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
case of Global Securities, any Change in Control Purchase Notice may be
delivered or withdrawn and such Securities may be surrendered or delivered for
purchase in accordance with the Applicable Procedures as in effect from time to
time.

         SECTION 3.9. EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL PURCHASE NOTICE.

         (a) Upon receipt by any Paying Agent of the Change in Control Purchase
Notice specified in Subsection 3.8(f), the Holder of the Security in respect of
which such Change in Control Purchase Notice was given shall (unless such Change
in Control Purchase Notice is withdrawn as specified below) thereafter be
entitled to receive the Change in Control Purchase Price with respect to such
Security. Such Change in Control Purchase Price shall be paid to such Holder
promptly following the later of (1) the Change in Control Purchase Date with
respect to such Security (provided that the conditions in Subsection 3.8(f) have
been satisfied) and (2) the time of delivery of such Security to a Paying Agent
by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Subsection 3.8(f). Securities in
respect of which a Change in Control Purchase Notice has been given by the
Holder thereof may not be converted into shares of Common Stock pursuant to
Article 4 on or after the date of the delivery of such Change in Control
Purchase Notice unless such Change in Control Purchase Notice has first been
validly withdrawn in accordance with Subsection (b) immediately below with
respect to the Securities to be converted.

         (b) A Change in Control Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by means of a
written notice (which may be delivered by mail, overnight courier, hand
delivery, facsimile transmission or in any other written form and, in the case
of Global Securities, may be delivered electronically or by other means in
accordance with the Depositary's customary procedures) of withdrawal delivered
by the Holder to a Paying Agent at any time prior to the close of business on
the Business Day immediately preceding the Change in Control Purchase Date,
specifying the principal amount of the Security or portion thereof (which must
be a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess
thereof) with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted.

         SECTION 3.10. DEPOSIT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL PURCHASE PRICE.

         (a) On or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Change in
Control Purchase Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a
Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) an amount
of money (in immediately available funds if deposited on such Change in Control
Purchase Date) sufficient to pay the aggregate Change in Control Purchase Price
of all the Securities or portions thereof that are to be purchased on such
Change in Control Purchase Date. The manner in which the

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

deposit required by this Section 3.10 is made by the Company shall be at the
option of the Company, provided that such deposit shall be made in a manner such
that the Trustee or a Paying Agent shall have immediately available funds on the
Change in Control Purchase Date.

         (b) If a Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms hereof, money
sufficient to pay the Change in Control Purchase Price of any Security for which
a Change in Control Purchase Notice has been tendered and not withdrawn in
accordance with this Indenture then, on the Change in Control Purchase Date,
such Security will cease to be outstanding and the rights of the Holder in
respect thereof shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Change in
Control Purchase Price as aforesaid). The Company shall publicly announce the
principal amount of Securities repurchased on or as soon as practicable after
the Change in Control Purchase Date.

         SECTION 3.11. REPAYMENT TO THE COMPANY.

         To the extent that the aggregate amount of Cash deposited by the
Company pursuant to Section 3.10 exceeds the aggregate Change in Control
Purchase Price or Put Right Purchase Price, as the case may be, together with
interest thereon of the Securities or portions thereof that the Company is
obligated to purchase, then promptly after the Change in Control Purchase Date
or Put Right Purchase Date, as the case may be, the Trustee or a Paying Agent,
as the case may be, shall return any such excess Cash to the Company.

         SECTION 3.12. PURCHASE OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF THE HOLDER ON
                       SPECIFIED DATES.

         (a) Securities shall be purchased in Cash in whole or in part (which
must be equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof) by the Company, at the
option of Holders, in accordance with the provisions of this Article 3 and
paragraph 8 of the Securities promptly after March 5, 2011, March 5, 2014 and
March 5, 2019 (each, a "Put Right Purchase Date"), at a purchase price per
Security equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Security,
together with any accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the
applicable Put Right Purchase Date (the "Put Right Purchase Price"); provided
that if the Put Right Purchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or
before the related Interest Payment Date, any interest on the Securities will be
payable to the Holders in whose names the Securities are registered at the close
of business on such Regular Record Date.

         (b) The Company shall give written notice of the applicable Put Right
Purchase Date by notice sent by first-class mail to the Trustee and to each
Holder (at its address shown in the register of the Registrar) not less than 20
Business Days prior to each Put Right Purchase Date (the "Company Put Right
Notice"). Each Company Put Right Notice shall include a form of Put Right
Purchase Notice to be completed by a Holder and shall state:

                  (1) the Put Right Purchase Price, the Put Right Purchase Date
and the Conversion Price and Conversion Rate then in effect;

                  (2) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the
Conversion Agent;

                  (3) that Securities as to which a Put Right Purchase Notice
has been given may be converted if they are otherwise convertible only in
accordance with Article 4 hereof and paragraph 9 of the Securities only to the
extent that the Put Right Purchase Notice has been withdrawn in accordance with
the terms of this Indenture;

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

                  (4) that Securities must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to
collect payment;

                  (5) that the Put Right Purchase Price for any Security as to
which a Put Right Purchase Notice has been given and not withdrawn will be paid
promptly following the later of the Put Right Purchase Date and the time of
surrender of such Security as described in subclause (4) above;

                  (6) the procedures the Holder must follow to exercise rights
under this Section and a brief description of those rights;

                  (7) briefly, the conversion rights of the Securities;

                  (8) the procedures for withdrawing a Put Right Purchase Notice
(including pursuant to the terms of Subsection 3.12(g));

                  (9) that, unless the Company defaults in making payment on
Securities for which a Put Right Purchase Notice has been submitted, interest on
such Securities will cease to accrue on and after the Put Right Purchase Date;
and

                  (10) the CUSIP number of the Securities.

         (c) If any of the Securities are to be redeemed in the form of a Global
Security, the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord
with the procedures of the Depositary applicable to repurchases.

         (d) At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give such Company Put
Right Notice on behalf of the Company and at the Company's expense; provided,
however, that, in all cases, the text of such Company Put Right Notice shall be
prepared by the Company.

         (e) To exercise its rights pursuant to this Section 3.12, the Holder
shall deliver to the Paying Agent of a written notice of purchase in the form
set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (a "Put Right Purchase Notice") at any
time from the opening of business on the date that is 20 Business Days prior to
the applicable Put Right Purchase Date until the close of business on the Put
Right Purchase Date stating:

                  (1) if certificated Securities have been issued, the
certificate number of the Security which the Holder will deliver to be purchased
(or if the Securities are not certificated, the Put Right Purchase Notice must
comply with the procedures of the Depositary applicable to purchases),

                  (2) the portion (which may be 100%) of the principal amount of
the Security which the Holder will deliver to be purchased, which portion must
be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, and

                  (3) that such Security shall be purchased as of the applicable
Put Right Purchase Date pursuant to the terms and conditions in this Section
3.12.

         (f) The Company shall purchase all Securities with respect to which a
Put Right Purchase Notice is given and not withdrawn, upon the later of the
applicable Put Right Purchase Date and delivery of such Securities to the Paying
Agent (together with all necessary endorsements) at the offices of the Paying
Agent (if the Securities are not certificated, such delivery must comply with
the procedures of the Depositary

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

applicable to purchases). Delivery of such Security shall be a condition to
receipt by the Holder of the Put Right Purchase Price therefor. The Put Right
Purchase Price shall be paid pursuant to this Section 3.12 only if the Security
delivered to the Paying Agent conforms in all respects to the description
thereof in the related Put Right Purchase Notice, as determined by the Company.

         (g) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder
delivering to the Paying Agent the Put Right Purchase Notice contemplated by
this Section 3.12 shall have the right to withdraw such Put Right Purchase
Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Put Right Purchase Date
by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent specifying:

                  (1) the certificate number, if any, of the Security in respect
of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted (or, if the Securities are
not certificated, the withdrawal notice must comply with the procedures of the
Depositary applicable to withdrawals),

                  (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Security (which must
be equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof) with respect to which such
notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

                  (3) the aggregate principal amount, if any, of such Security
which remains subject to the original Put Right Purchase Notice and which has
been or will be delivered for purchase by the Company.

         (h) The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt
by it of any Put Right Purchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

         (i) On or before 5:00 p.m. (local time in the City of New York) on the
Business Day following the Put Right Purchase Date, the Company shall deposit
with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or an Affiliate of
the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as
provided in Section 2.4) an amount of money (in immediately available funds if
deposited on or after such Put Right Purchase Date) sufficient to pay the
aggregate Put Right Purchase Price of all the Securities or portions thereof
which are to be purchased as of the Put Right Purchase Date. The manner in which
the deposit required by this Section 3.12(i) is made by the Company shall be at
the option of the Company; provided that such deposit shall be made in a manner
such that the Trustee or a Paying Agent shall have immediately available funds
by the close of business on the Business Day after the Put Right Purchase Date.

                  (1) If a Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms
hereof, money sufficient to pay the Put Right Purchase Price of any Security for
which a Put Right Notice has been tendered and not withdrawn on the Put Right
Purchase Date, then, on the close of business on the Business Day after the Put
Right Purchase Date, such Security will cease to be outstanding, whether or not
the Security is delivered to the Paying Agent, and the rights of the Holder in
respect thereof shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Put Right
Purchase Price as aforesaid) and interest will cease to accrue on such Security.

                  (2) The Put Right Purchase Price shall be paid to such Holder
with respect to Securities for which a Put Right Purchase Notice has been
tendered and not withdrawn, subject to receipt of funds by the Paying Agent,
promptly following the later of (A) the Business Day after the Put Right
Purchase Date with respect to such Security (provided that the conditions in
Subsection 3.12(f) have been satisfied) and (B) the time of delivery of such
Security to the Paying Agent by the Holder thereof in the manner required by
Section 3.12(f). Securities in respect of which a Put Right Purchase Notice has
been given by the Holder thereof; if convertible pursuant to Article 4 hereof,
may not be converted on or after the date of the delivery of such Put

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

Right Purchase Notice, unless such Put Right Purchase Notice has first been
validly withdrawn as specified in Subsection 3.12(g).

                  (3) To the extent that the aggregate amount of Cash deposited
by the Company pursuant to this Subsection 3.12(i) exceeds the aggregate Put
Right Purchase Price of the Securities or portions thereof that the Company is
obligated to purchase, then promptly after the Put Right Purchase Date the
Trustee or a Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall return any such excess Cash
to the Company.

         (j) The Company shall only be obligated to purchase, pursuant to this
Section 3.12, a portion of a Security if the principal amount of such portion is
$1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that
apply to the purchase of all of a Security also apply to the purchase of such
portion of such Security.

         (k) Upon receipt by the Paying Agent of the Put Right Purchase Notice
specified in subsection 3.12 (f), the Holder of the Security in respect of which
such Put Right Purchase Notice was given shall (unless such Put Right Purchase
Notice is withdrawn as specified herein) thereafter be entitled to receive
solely the Put Right Purchase Price with respect to such Security.

         SECTION 3.13. SECURITIES PURCHASED IN PART.

         Any Security that is to be purchased only in part shall be surrendered
at the office of a Paying Agent, and promptly after the Change in Control
Purchase Date or the Put Right Purchase Date, as the case may be, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of
such Security, without service charge, a new Security or Securities, of such
authorized denomination or denominations as may be requested by such Holder, in
aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the portion of the
principal amount of the Security so surrendered that is not purchased.

         SECTION 3.14. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS UPON PURCHASE OF
                       SECURITIES

         In connection with any offer to purchase of Securities under Section
3.8 or Section 3.12, the Company shall (a) comply with Rule 13e-4 and Rule 14e-1
(or any successor to either such Rule), if applicable, under the Exchange Act,
(b) file the related Schedule TO (or any successor or similar schedule, form or
report) if required under the Exchange Act, and (c) otherwise comply with all
federal and state securities laws in connection with such offer to purchase or
purchase of Securities, all so as to permit the rights of the Holders and
obligations of the Company under Sections 3.8 through 3.12 to be exercised in
the time and in the manner specified therein.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                   CONVERSION

         SECTION 4.1. CONVERSION PRIVILEGE AND CONVERSION RATE.

         (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article
and the Securities, at the option of the Holder thereof, any Security or portion
thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000 may be converted into the
Principal Return and Net Share Amount, if any, at any time on or prior to the
close of

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

business on the Final Maturity Date, unless previously redeemed by the Company
or purchased by the Company at the Holders' option, at the Conversion Rate,
determined as hereinafter provided, in effect at the time of conversion and
subject to the adjustments described below, only under the following
circumstances:

                  (1) after the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2004 and
prior to March 5, 2022, in any fiscal quarter (and only during such fiscal
quarter) if the Closing Price per share of the Common Stock for at least 20
Trading Days in the period of the 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the last
Trading Day of the previous fiscal quarter was more than 130% of the then
current Conversion Price;

                  (2) on or after March 5, 2022, at all times on or after any
date on which the Closing Price per share of the Common Stock is more than 130%
of the then current Conversion Price of the Securities;

                  (3) until the close of business on the Business Day prior to
the Redemption Date if the Company elects to redeem the Securities pursuant to
Article 3 hereof;

                  (4) if the Company distributes to all or substantially all
holders of Common Stock rights, options or warrants entitling them to purchase
Common Stock at less than the Closing Price per share of the Common Stock on the
day preceding the declaration for such distribution;

                  (5) if the Company distributes to all or substantially all
holders of Common Stock Cash, assets, debt securities or Capital Stock, which
distribution has a per share value as determined by the Board of Directors
exceeding 10% of the Closing Price per share of the Common Stock on the day
preceding the declaration for such distribution;

                  (6) (A) if the Company becomes a party to a consolidation,
merger or binding share exchange pursuant to which all or substantially all of
the Company's Common Stock would be converted to Cash, securities or other
property, (B) if a Change in Control occurs, or (C) if an event occurs that
would have been a Change in Control but for the existence of one of the Change
in Control exceptions set forth in the clauses 2(A) through (C) of Section
3.8(c) of this Indenture; or

                  (7) during the five consecutive Business Day period following
any five consecutive Trading Day period in which the average Trading Price for
the Securities for such five consecutive Trading Day period was less than 98% of
the average Conversion Value for the Securities for such five consecutive
Trading Day period ("trading price condition"); provided that upon any
conversion of Securities pursuant to this trading price condition if, on the
applicable Conversion Date, the Closing Price per share of Common Stock is
greater than or equal to the then current Conversion Price of the Securities and
less than or equal to 130% of the then current Conversion Price of the
Securities then such Holder shall receive, instead of Cash and, if applicable,
shares of Common Stock calculated in accordance with Section 4.2, Cash with a
value equal to the principal amount of the Securities (a "Principal Value
Conversion"); provided, further, that Cash delivered upon a Principal Value
Conversion will be valued at the greater of the Conversion Price of the
Securities as of the Conversion Date and the Applicable Stock Price as of the
Conversion Date.

         (b) Subject to certain exceptions described in Sections 3.7, 3.8, 3.12
and 4.14 and Article 5, if a Holder surrenders its Securities for conversion,
the Company shall deliver, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of
Securities:

                  (1) Cash in an amount (the "Principal Return") equal to the
lesser of (A) the principal amount of each Security and (B) the Conversion
Value; and

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

                  (2) if the Conversion Value is greater than the principal
amount of each Security, a number of shares of Common Stock (the "Net Shares")
equal to the sum of the Daily Share Amounts (calculated as described below) for
each Trading Day during the Applicable Conversion Reference Period (the "Net
Share Amount"); provided that, in lieu of the delivery of Net Shares, the
Company may, at its option, deliver Cash or a combination of Cash and shares of
Common Stock equal to the value of the sum of the Daily Share Amounts. For this
purpose, the value of each Daily Share Amount shall be calculated using the
Closing Price of Common Stock on each Trading Day in the Applicable Reference
Period. If and to the extent that the Company makes such an election, references
herein to "Net Share Amount" shall be deemed to be references to such amount in
Cash or combination of Cash and Common Stock, as applicable.

         (c) In the case of a distribution contemplated by clauses (4) and (5)
of Subsection 4.1(a), the Company shall notify Holders at least 20 days prior to
the ex-dividend date for such distribution (the "Distribution Notice"). Once the
Company has given the Distribution Notice, Holders may surrender their
Securities for conversion at any time until the earlier of the close of business
on the last Business Day preceding the ex-dividend date or the Company's
announcement that such distribution will not take place. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event of a distribution contemplated by clauses (4) and (5) of
Subsection 4.1(a), Holders may not convert the Securities if the Holders may
participate in such distribution without converting their Securities.

         (d) In the case of a transaction contemplated by clause (6) of
Subsection 4.1(a), the Company will notify Holders at least 25 days prior to the
anticipated effective date of such transaction (the "Merger Notice"). Holders
may surrender Securities for conversion at any time from and after the date
which is 15 days prior to the anticipated effective date of such transaction
until the date which is 15 days after the actual effective date of such
transaction. If the Company is party to a transaction contemplated by subclause
(6)(A) of Subsection 4.1(a), then at the effective time of the transaction, the
right to convert a Security into shares of Common Stock shall be changed into a
right to convert such Security into the kind and amount of Cash, securities or
other property that the Holders would have received if the Holders had converted
such Security into shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the actual
effective date of the transaction. If the Company is party to a transaction
contemplated by subclause (6)(B) of Subsection 4.1(a), then the Holders may
require the Company to purchase all or a portion of the Securities as described
in Section 3.8; provided that if such transaction occurs on or prior to March 5,
2011, the Holders shall, in the alternative, be entitled to receive Additional
Shares as provided in Article 5 hereto.

         (e) Prior to March 5, 2022, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending
March 31, 2004, (1) the Conversion Agent will determine, on behalf of the
Company, on the first Business Day following the last Trading Day of each fiscal
quarter whether the Securities are convertible pursuant to clause (1) of
Subsection 4.1(a), and, if so, will notify the Company. From March 5, 2022, the
Conversion Agent will determine, on behalf of the Company, on a daily basis,
whether the Securities are convertible pursuant to clause (2) of this Subsection
4.1(a) and, if so, will notify the Company.

         (f) The Conversion Agent shall have no obligation to determine the
Trading Price of the Securities unless the Company has requested such
determination; and the Company shall have no obligation to make such request
unless a Holder provides the Company with reasonable evidence that the Trading
Price of the Securities is reasonably likely to be less than 98% of the
Conversion Value; at such time, the Company shall instruct the Conversion Agent
to determine the Trading Price and Conversion Value of the Securities beginning
on the next Trading Day and on each successive Trading Day for 10 consecutive
Trading Days to determine whether the average of the Trading Prices for the
Securities for any five consecutive Trading Day

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

period within such 10 Trading Day period is less than 98% of the average
Conversion Value of the Securities over such five Trading Day period and to
notify the Company accordingly.

         (g) The Company will provide written notice to the Conversion Agent as
soon as reasonably practicable of any anticipated or actual event or transaction
that will cause or causes the Securities to become convertible pursuant to
clauses (4) or (5) of Subsection 4.1(a).

         (h) The conversion right, subject to the conditions described in this
Section 4.1, shall commence on the initial issuance date of the Securities and
expire at the close of business on the Final Maturity Date, subject, in the case
of conversion of any Global Security, to any Applicable Procedures. If a
Security is called for redemption or submitted or presented for purchase
pursuant to Article 3, such conversion right shall terminate at the close of
business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date, or the
Business Day following the Change in Control Purchase Date or Put Right Purchase
Date, as the case may be, for such Security (unless the Company shall default in
making the Redemption Price payment, Change in Control Purchase Price payment or
Put Right Purchase Price payment when due in accordance with Article 3, in which
case the conversion right shall terminate at the close of business on the date
such default is cured and such Security is redeemed or purchased, as the case
may be). Securities in respect of which a Change in Control Purchase Notice or a
Put Right Purchase Notice, as the case may be, has been delivered may not be
surrendered for conversion pursuant to this Article 4 prior to a valid
withdrawal of such Change in Control Notice or Put Right Purchase Notice, as the
case may be in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.

         (i) Provisions of this Indenture that apply to conversion of all of a
Security also apply to conversion of a portion of a Security.

         (j) A Holder of Securities is not entitled to any rights of a holder of
Common Stock until such Holder has converted its Securities into Common Stock,
and only to the extent such Securities are deemed to have been converted into
Common Stock pursuant to this Article 4.

         (k) The rate at which shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon
conversion (herein called the "Conversion Rate") shall be initially 91.2596
shares of Common Stock for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities. The
Conversion Rate shall be adjusted in certain instances as provided in this
Article 4. The "Conversion Price" shall equal $1,000 divided by the Conversion
Rate and shall be adjusted when the Conversion Price is so adjusted in
accordance with this Article 4.

         SECTION 4.2. CONVERSION PROCEDURE.

         (a) To convert a Security, a Holder must (1) complete and manually sign
the conversion notice on the back of the Security and deliver such notice to a
Conversion Agent, (2) surrender the Security to a Conversion Agent, (3) furnish
appropriate endorsements and transfer documents if required by a Registrar or a
Conversion Agent, and (4) pay any transfer or similar tax, if required. The date
on which the Holder satisfies all of those requirements is the "Conversion
Date." As soon as practicable after the Conversion Date, the Company shall
deliver to the Holder through a Conversion Agent the Cash and shares of Common
Stock, if any, issuable upon the conversion and Cash in lieu of any fractional
shares pursuant to Section 4.3. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,
in the case of Global Securities, conversion notices may be delivered and such
Securities may be surrendered for conversion in accordance with the Applicable
Procedures as in effect from time to time.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

         (b) The person in whose name any shares of Common Stock issued upon
conversion are registered shall be deemed to be a holder of record of such
Common Stock on the Conversion Date; provided, however, that no surrender of a
Security on any Conversion Date when the stock transfer books of the Company
shall be closed shall be effective to constitute the person or persons entitled
to receive the shares of Common Stock upon conversion as the record holder or
holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date, but such surrender shall be
effective to constitute the person or persons entitled to receive such shares of
Common Stock as the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes at the
close of business on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books
are open; provided, further, that such conversion shall be at the Conversion
Rate in effect on the Conversion Date as if the stock transfer books of the
Company had not been closed. Upon conversion of a Security, such person shall no
longer be a Holder of such Security. Except as set forth in this Indenture, no
payment or adjustment will be made for dividends or distributions declared or
made on shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Security prior to
their issuance.

         (c) Securities so surrendered for conversion (in whole or in part)
during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the
opening of business on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (excluding (1)
Securities or portions thereof called for redemption or presented for purchase
pursuant to Article 3 hereof on a Redemption Date, a Change in Control Purchase
Date or Put Right Purchase Date, as the case may be, occurring during the period
beginning at the close of business on a Regular Record Date and ending at the
opening of business on the fifth Business Day after the next succeeding Interest
Payment Date or (2) Securities that are submitted for conversion between the
Regular Record Date for the final interest payment and the opening of business
on the final Interest Payment Date) shall also be accompanied by payment in
funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on
such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of such Security then being
converted, and such interest shall be payable to the registered Holder of such
Security as of that Regular Record Date notwithstanding the conversion of such
Security, subject to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the payment of
defaulted interest by the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Section
4.2, no payment or adjustment will be made for accrued interest on a converted
Security. If the Company defaults in the payment of interest payable on such
Interest Payment Date, the Company shall promptly repay such funds to such
Holder.

         (d) Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of a Holder in whose
name any Security is registered at the close of business on a Regular Record
Date to receive the interest payable on such Security on the related Interest
Payment Date in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities.
If a Holder converts more than one Security at the same time, the number of
shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion shall be based on the
aggregate principal amount of Securities converted.

         (e) In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon
such conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or
Securities of authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to
the unconverted portion of the principal amount of such Security. A Security may
be converted in part, but only if the principal amount of such part is an
integral multiple of $1,000 and the principal amount of such Security to remain
outstanding after such conversion is equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple of
$1,000 in excess thereof.

         SECTION 4.3. FRACTIONAL SHARES.

         The Company will not issue fractional shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of Securities. In lieu thereof, the Company will pay an amount in
Cash for the current market value of the fractional shares. The current market
value of a fractional share shall be determined (calculated to the nearest
1/100th of a share)

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

by multiplying the Closing Price (determined as set forth in Section 4.6(a)(10))
of the Common Stock on the Conversion Date by such fractional share and rounding
the product to the nearest whole cent.

         SECTION 4.4. TAXES ON CONVERSION.

         If a Holder converts a Security, the Company shall pay any transfer,
stamp or similar taxes or duties related to the issue or delivery of shares of
Common Stock upon such conversion, if any. However, the Holder shall pay any
such tax with respect to Cash received in lieu of fractional shares. In
addition, the Holder shall pay any such tax which is due because the Holder
requests the shares to be issued in a name other than the Holder's name. The
Conversion Agent may refuse to deliver the certificate representing the Common
Stock being issued in a name other than the Holder's name until the Conversion
Agent receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax which will be due because the
shares are to be issued in a name other than the Holder's name. Nothing herein
shall preclude any tax withholding required by law or regulation.

         SECTION 4.5. COMPANY TO PROVIDE STOCK.

         (a) The Company shall, prior to issuance of any Securities hereunder,
and from time to time as may be necessary, reserve, out of its authorized but
unissued Common Stock, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to permit,
upon the conversion of all outstanding Securities, the Company to issue the
aggregate number of the Net Shares issuable upon such conversion.

         (b) All shares of Common Stock delivered upon conversion of the
Securities shall be newly issued shares, shall be duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and shall be free from preemptive or
similar rights and free of any lien or adverse claim.

         (c) The Company will endeavor promptly to comply with all federal and
state securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of shares of Common
Stock upon conversion of Securities, if any, and will list or cause to have
quoted such shares of Common Stock on each national securities exchange or on
the Nasdaq National Market or other over-the-counter market or such other market
on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted; provided, however, that if
rules of such automated quotation system or exchange permit the Company to defer
the listing of such Common Stock until the first conversion of the Securities
into Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the
Company covenants to list such Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Securities in accordance with the requirements of such automated quotation
system or exchange at such time.

         SECTION 4.6. ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION RATE.

         (a) The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the
Company as follows:

                  (1) In case the Company shall pay a dividend on its Common
Stock in shares of Common Stock or make a distribution on its Common Stock in
shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the
record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such
dividend or other distribution shall be increased so that the same shall equal
the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction of which the numerator of shall be the
sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business
on such record date plus the total number of shares of Common Stock constituting
such dividend or other distribution and of which the denominator shall be the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on such
record date. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such
dividend or distribution

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

is made and shall become effective immediately after such record date. For the
purpose of this clause (1) of Subsection 4.6(a), the number of shares of Common
Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of
the Company. The Company will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on
Common Shares held in the treasury of the Company. If any dividend or
distribution of the type described in this clause is declared but not so paid or
made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Rate that
would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

                  (2) In case the Company shall subdivide its outstanding Common
Stock into a greater number of shares, or combine its outstanding Common Stock
into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior
to the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective shall
be, in the case of a subdivision of Common Stock, proportionately increased and,
in the case of a combination of Common Stock proportionately reduced. Such
adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such subdivision or
combination of the Common Stock occurs and shall become effective immediately
after the date upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

                  (3) In case the Company shall issue rights, options or
warrants to all holders of its Common Stock entitling them (for a period of not
more than 60 days after such issuance) to subscribe for or purchase shares of
Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) at a price per share
(or having a conversion price per share) less than the Current Market Price per
share of Common Stock (as determined in accordance with clause (10) of this
Subsection 4.6(a) on the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to receive such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate in
effect immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal
the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on such
record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock offered (or
into which the convertible securities so offered are convertible) and of which
the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the
close of business on such record date plus the number of shares which the
aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so
offered (or the aggregate conversion price of the convertible securities so
offered, which shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of such convertible securities by the conversion
price per share of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of such convertible
securities) would purchase at the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock
on such record date. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any
such rights, options or warrants are issued, and shall become effective
immediately after such record date. To the extent that shares of Common Stock
are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the
Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in
effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights, options or
warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of Common Shares
actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the
Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would
then be in effect if the record date for the determination of shareholders
entitled to receive such rights, options or warrants had not been fixed. In
determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the shareholders to
subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the
Current Market Price per share of Common Stock and in determining the aggregate
offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered, there
shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such
rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion
thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than Cash, to be determined
by the Board of Directors.

                  (4) In case the Company shall make a dividend or other
distribution to all holders of its Common Stock of securities or other property
(including evidences of indebtedness or other non-Cash assets),

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

including shares of Capital Stock or similar equity instruments (excluding (x)
any dividend or distribution of Common Stock for which an adjustment was made
pursuant to Section 4.6(a)(1), any subdivision or combination of Common Stock
for which an adjustment was made pursuant to Section 4.6(a)(2), any issuance of
rights, options or warrants for which an adjustment was made pursuant to Section
4.6(a)(3) and (y) any dividend or distribution paid exclusively in Cash for
which an adjustment was made pursuant to Section 4.6(a)(7)) (the "Distributed
Securities"), then in each such case the Conversion Rate in effect immediately
prior to the record date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to
receive such dividend or distribution shall be adjusted so that the same shall
equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction of which the numerator shall
be the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on such record date
and of which the denominator shall be Current Market Price per share on the
record date mentioned below less the fair market value (as determined by the
Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive evidence of such
fair market value and which shall be evidenced by an Officers' Certificate
delivered to the Trustee) on such record date of the portion of the Distributed
Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock (determined on
the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of
business on such record date). Such adjustment shall be made successively
whenever any such distribution is made and shall become effective immediately
after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive
such distribution.

         In the event the then fair market value (as so determined) of the
portion of the Distributed Securities so distributed applicable to one share of
Common Stock is equal to or greater than the Current Market Price per share of
the Common Stock on such record date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment,
adequate provision shall be made so that each holder of a Security shall have
the right to receive upon conversion the amount of Distributed Securities so
distributed such holder would have received had such holder converted each
Security on such record date. In the event that such dividend or distribution is
not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the
Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution
had not been declared. If the Board of Directors determines the fair market
value of any distribution for purposes of this Subsection 4.6(a) by reference to
the actual or when issued trading market for any securities, it must in doing so
consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the
Current Market Price of the Common Stock.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the securities distributed by the
Company to all holders of its Common Stock consist of Capital Stock of, or
similar equity interests in, a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company
(the "Spinoff Securities"), the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the
same shall be equal to the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in
effect on the record date fixed for the determination of Shareholders entitled
to receive such distribution by a fraction: the numerator of which shall be the
sum of (A) the average Closing Price of one share of Common Stock over the ten
consecutive Trading Day period (the "Spinoff Valuation Period") commencing on
and including the fifth Trading Day after the date on which "ex-dividend
trading" commences on the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market or such
other U.S. national or regional exchange or market on which the Common Stock is
then listed or quoted and (B) the average Closing Price over the Spinoff
Valuation Period of the portion of the Spinoff Securities so distributed
applicable to one share of Common Stock and the denominator of which shall be
the average Closing Price of one share of Common Stock over the Spinoff
Valuation Period, such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the
opening of business on the fifteenth Trading Day after the date on which
"ex-dividend trading" commences; provided, however, that the Company may in lieu
of the foregoing adjustment elect to reserve the pro rata portion of such
Spinoff Securities so that each Holder of Securities shall have the right to
receive upon conversion thereof the amount of such Spinoff Securities of such

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

Subsidiary or business unit that such Holder of Securities would have received
if such Securities had been converted on the record date with respect to such
distribution.

                  (5) With respect to any Rights (the "Rights") that may be
issued or distributed pursuant to any rights plan that the Company implements
after the date of this Indenture (a "Rights Plan"), upon conversion of the
Securities into Common Stock, to the extent that such Rights Plan is in effect
upon such conversion, the Holders of Securities will receive, with respect to
the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion, the Rights described therein
(whether or not the Rights have separated from the Common Stock at the time of
conversion), subject to the limitations set forth in and in accordance with any
such Rights Plan; provided that if, at the time of conversion, however, the
Rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the
provisions of the Rights Plan so that Holders would not be entitled to receive
any rights in respect of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
the Securities, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted as if the Company
distributed to all holders of Common Stock Distributed Securities as provided in
the first paragraph of clause (4) of this Subsection 4.6(a), subject to
readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of the
rights. Any distribution of rights or warrants pursuant to a Rights Plan
complying with the requirements set forth in the immediately preceding sentence
of this paragraph shall not constitute a distribution of rights or warrants
pursuant to this Subsection 4.6(a).

                  (6) Rights or warrants (other than Rights issued pursuant to a
Rights Plan) distributed by the Company to all holders of Common Stock entitling
the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company's Capital
Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or
warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (each a "Trigger
Event"): (A) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock; (B)
are not exercisable; and (C) are also issued in respect of future issuances of
Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this
Section 4.6 (and no adjustment to the Conversion Price under this Section 4.6
will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon
such rights and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an
appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made
under this Subsection. If any such right or warrant, including any such existing
rights or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Indenture, are subject
to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights or warrants become
exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other
assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be
deemed to be the date of distribution and record date with respect to new rights
or warrants with such rights (and a termination or expiration of the existing
rights or warrants without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition,
in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants,
or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the preceding
sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a
distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this
Section 4.6 was made, (x) in the case of any such rights or warrants which shall
all have been redeemed, purchased by the Company or purchased without exercise
by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted upon such final
redemption, purchase by the Company or expiration without exercise to give
effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it
were a Cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price
received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights or
warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to
all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and
(y) in the case of such rights or warrants which shall have expired or been
terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be
readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued.

                  (7) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, at
any time distribute (a "Triggering Distribution") to all holders of its Common
Stock Cash, the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying such Conversion Rate in
effect immediately prior to the day on which such Triggering Distribution is
declared ("Determination Date") by a fraction of which the numerator shall be
such Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on the Determination
Date and the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price per share of
the Common Stock on the Determination Date less the sum of the aggregate amount
of Cash, paid or payable within such 12 months (including, without limitation,
the Triggering Distribution) applicable to one share of Common Stock (determined
on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of
business on the Determination Date), such increase to become effective
immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the date on
which the Triggering Distribution is paid.

                  (8) In case any tender offer made by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries for all or any portion of Common Stock shall expire, then
immediately prior to the opening of business on the day after the last date (the
"Expiration Date") tenders could have been made pursuant to such tender offer
(as it may be amended) (the last time at which such tenders could have been made
on the Expiration Date is hereinafter sometimes called the "Expiration Time"),
the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that the same shall equal the rate
determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the
close of business on the Expiration Date by a fraction of which the numerator
shall be the sum of (A) the fair market value of the aggregate consideration
(the fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors, whose
determination shall be conclusive evidence of such fair market value and which
shall be evidenced by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee) payable
to stockholders based on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the
terms of the tender offer) of all shares validly tendered and not withdrawn as
of the Expiration Time (the shares deemed so accepted, up to any such maximum,
being referred to as the "Purchased Shares") and (B) the product of the number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding (less any Purchased Shares and excluding
any shares held in the treasury of the Company) at the Expiration Time and the
average Closing Price per share of Common Stock for the three Trading Days next
succeeding the Expiration Date and the denominator of which shall be the product
of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (including Purchased Shares
but excluding any shares held in the treasury of the Company) at the Expiration
Time multiplied by average the Closing Price per share of the Common Stock for
the three Trading Days next succeeding the Expiration Date, such increase to
become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day
following the Expiration Date. In the event that the Company is obligated to
purchase shares pursuant to any such tender offer, but the Company is
permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any or all such purchases
or any or all such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Rate shall again be
adjusted to be the Conversion Rate which would have been in effect based upon
the number of shares actually purchased. If the application of this clause (8)
of Subsection 4.6(a) to any tender offer would result in a decrease in the
Conversion Rate, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer under this
clause (8).

                  (9) For purposes of this Subsection, the term "tender offer"
shall mean and include both tender offers and exchange offers, all references to
"purchases" of shares in tender offers (and all similar references) shall mean
and include both the purchase of shares in tender offers and the acquisition of
shares pursuant to exchange offers, and all references to "tendered shares" (and
all similar references) shall mean and include shares tendered in both tender
offers and exchange offers.

                  (10) For the purpose of any computation under this Subsection
4.6(a), the current market price (the "Current Market Price") per share of
Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing
prices for the 10 consecutive Trading Days before (A) the Determination Date or
the Expiration Date, as the case may be, with respect to distributions or tender
offers under this Subsection 4.6(a) or (B) the record date with respect to
distributions, issuances or other events requiring such computation under this
Section 4.6. The closing price (the "Closing Price") for each day shall be the
last reported sales

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

price or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such date, the average of
the reported closing bid and asked prices in either case on the Nasdaq National
Market or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the
Nasdaq National Market, on the principal national securities exchange on which
the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted
to trading on the Nasdaq National Market or any national securities exchange,
the last reported sales price of the Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market or, in case no reported sale takes place, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or any
comparable system or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market or any comparable system, the closing sales price or, in case no reported
sale takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, as furnished
by any two members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
selected from time to time by the Company for that purpose. If no such prices
are available, the Current Market Price per share shall be the fair value of a
share of Common Stock as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors (which
determination shall be conclusive and shall be evidenced by an Officers'
Certificate delivered to the Trustee).

         (b) In any case in which this Section 4.6 shall require that an
adjustment be made following a record date, a Determination Date or Expiration
Date, as the case may be, established for the purposes specified in this Section
4.6, the Company may elect to defer (but only until five Business Days following
the filing by the Company with the Trustee of the certificate described in
Section 4.9) issuing to the Holder of any Security converted after such record
date, Determination Date or Expiration Date the shares of Common Stock and other
Capital Stock of the Company issuable upon such conversion over and above the
shares of Common Stock and other Capital Stock of the Company (or other Cash,
property or securities, as applicable) issuable upon such conversion only on the
basis of the Conversion Rate prior to adjustment; and, in lieu of any Cash,
property or securities the issuance of which is so deferred, the Company shall
issue or cause its transfer agents to issue due bills or other appropriate
evidence prepared by the Company of the right to receive such Cash, property or
securities. If any distribution in respect of which an adjustment to the
Conversion Rate is required to be made as of the record date, Determination Date
or Expiration Date therefor is not thereafter made or paid by the Company for
any reason, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate which
would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed or such effective
date, Determination Date or Expiration Date had not occurred.

         (c) For purposes of this Section 4.6, "record date" shall mean, with
respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the
holders of Common Stock have the right to receive any Cash, securities or other
property or in which the Common Stock (or other applicable security) is
exchanged or converted into any combination of Cash, securities or other
property, the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive
such Cash, security or other property (whether or not such date is fixed by the
Board of Directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).

         SECTION 4.7. NO ADJUSTMENT.

         (a) No adjustment in the Conversion Rate shall be required if Holders
may participate in the transactions set forth in Section 4.6 above (to the same
extent as if the Securities had been converted into Common Stock immediately
prior to such transactions) without converting the Securities held by such
Holders.

         (b) Any adjustments which by reason of this Section 4.7 would otherwise
be required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Article 4 shall be made to
the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may be.

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

         (c) No adjustment in the Conversion Rate shall be required for
issuances of Common Stock pursuant to a Company plan for reinvestment of
dividends or interest or for a change in the par value or a change to no par
value of the Common Stock.

         (d) To the extent that the Securities become convertible into the right
to receive Cash, no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the Cash.

         SECTION 4.8. ADJUSTMENT FOR TAX PURPOSES.

         The Company shall be entitled to make such increases in the Conversion
Rate, in addition to those required by Section 4.6, as it in its discretion
shall determine to be advisable in order that any stock dividends, subdivisions
of shares, distributions of rights to purchase stock or securities or
distributions of securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock hereafter
made by the Company to its stockholders shall not be taxable. Any such change in
the Conversion Rate shall also be made to the Conversion Price.

         SECTION 4.9. NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENT.

         Whenever the Conversion Rate or conversion privilege is required to be
adjusted pursuant to this Indenture, the Company shall promptly mail to Holders
a notice of the adjustment and file with the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
briefly stating the facts requiring the adjustment and the manner of computing
it. Unless and until the Trustee shall receive an Officers' Certificate setting
forth an adjustment of the Conversion Rate, the Trustee may assume without
inquiry that the Conversion Rate has not been adjusted and that the last
Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge remains in effect.

         SECTION 4.10. NOTICE OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.

         In the event that:

         (a) the Company takes any action which would require an adjustment in
the Conversion Rate;

         (b) the Company consolidates or merges with, or transfers all or
substantially all of its property and assets to, another corporation and
stockholders of the Company must approve the transaction; or

         (c) there is a dissolution or liquidation of the Company,

the Company shall mail to Holders and file with the Trustee a notice stating the
proposed record date or effective date, as the case may be. The Company shall
mail such notice at least 10 days before such proposed record date or effective
date. Failure to mail such notice or any defect therein shall not affect the
validity of any transaction referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) of this
Section 4.10.

         SECTION 4.11. EFFECT OF RECLASSIFICATION, CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE
                       ON CONVERSION PRIVILEGE.

         (a) If any of the following shall occur, namely: (1) any
reclassification or change of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
the Securities (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par
value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or
combination or any other transaction or event for which an adjustment is
provided in Section 4.6); (2) any statutory share exchange, consolidation or
merger or combination to which the Company is a party other than a merger in

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does not result in any
reclassification of, or change (other than in par value, or from par value to no
par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or
combination) in, outstanding shares of Common Stock; or (3) any sale or
conveyance of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Company,
directly or indirectly, to any person, then the Company and any such successor,
purchasing or transferee corporation, as the case may be, shall, as a condition
precedent to such reclassification, change, combination, statutory share
exchange, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, execute and deliver to the
Trustee a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing that the Holder of
each Security then outstanding shall have the right to convert such Security
into the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property
(including Cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, combination,
statutory share exchange, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder
of the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of such
Security immediately prior to such reclassification, change, combination,
statutory share exchange, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance. Such
supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments of the Conversion Rate
which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments of
the Conversion Rate provided for in this Article 4. If, in the case of any such
consolidation, merger, combination, statutory share exchange, sale or
conveyance, the stock or other securities and property (including Cash)
receivable thereupon by a holder of Common Stock include shares of stock or
other securities and property of a person other than the successor, purchasing
or transferee corporation, as the case may be, in such consolidation, merger,
combination, statutory share exchange, sale or conveyance, then such
supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other person and shall
contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of
the Securities as the Board of Directors shall reasonably consider necessary by
reason of the foregoing. The provisions of this Section 4.11 shall similarly
apply to successive reclassifications, changes, combinations, consolidations,
mergers, sales or conveyances.

         (b) In the event the Company shall execute a supplemental indenture
pursuant to this Section 4.11, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee
(1) an Officers' Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or
amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including Cash)
receivable by Holders of the Securities upon the conversion of their Securities
after any such reclassification, change, combination, consolidation, merger,
sale or conveyance, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all
conditions precedent have been complied with and (2) an Opinion of Counsel that
all conditions precedent thereto and hereunder have been complied with, and
shall promptly mail notice thereof to all Holders.

         SECTION 4.12. TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.

         (a) The Trustee shall have no duty to determine when an adjustment
under this Article 4 should be made, how it should be made or what such
adjustment should be, but may accept as conclusive evidence of that fact or the
correctness of any such adjustment, and shall be protected in relying upon, an
Officers' Certificate including the Officers' Certificate with respect thereto
which the Company is obligated to file with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.9.
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or value of any
securities or assets issued upon conversion of Securities, and the Trustee shall
not be responsible for the Company's failure to comply with any provisions of
this Article 4.

         (b) The Trustee shall not be under any responsibility to determine the
correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture executed
pursuant to Section 4.11, but may accept as conclusive evidence of the
correctness thereof, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, the Officers'
Certificate with respect thereto which the Company is obligated to file with the
Trustee pursuant to Section 4.11.

                                      -39-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 4.13. VOLUNTARY INCREASE.

         The Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any
amount for any period of time if the period is at least 20 days and if the
increase is irrevocable during the period if the Board of Directors determines
that such increase would be in the best interest of the Company or to avoid or
diminish income tax to holders of shares of our Common Stock in connection with
a dividend or distribution of stock or similar event, and the Company provides
15 days prior notice of any increase in the Conversion Rate; provided, however,
that in no event may the Company increase the Conversion Rate so that the
adjusted Conversion Price would be less than the par value of a share of Common
Stock. Any such change in the Conversion Rate shall also be made to the
Conversion Price.

         SECTION 4.14. EXCHANGE IN LIEU OF CONVERSION.

         In lieu of it obligations pursuant to Section 4.1(b), the Company may,
at its option, direct the Conversion Agent to surrender, on or prior to the date
of determination of the Applicable Stock Price, Securities tendered for
conversion to a financial institution (the "Financial Institution") designated
by the Company for exchange in lieu of conversion. If the Financial Institution
accepts any such Securities surrendered for conversion, it will deliver to the
Conversion Agent, in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of such
Securities, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Applicable
Conversion Rate (together with Cash for any fractional shares), or Cash or a
combination of Cash and shares of Common Stock with a value equal to such shares
of Common Stock. Any Cash amounts will be based on the Applicable Stock Price.

         If Financial Institution accepts any such Securities, it will deliver
such shares of Common Stock, Cash or combination of Cash and Common Stock, as
the case may be, to the Conversion Agent and the Conversion Agent will deliver
such shares of Common Stock, Cash or combination of Cash and Common Stock, as
the case may be, to the Holder who has tendered such Securities for conversion.
If the Financial Institution agrees to accept any Securities for exchange but
does not timely deliver the related consideration, the Company will, as promptly
as practical thereafter, but not later than the third Business Day following
determination of the Applicable Stock Price, convert such Securities into Cash
and shares of Common Stock, if any, as provided in Section 4.2 above.

                                    ARTICLE 5
                     MAKE WHOLE AMOUNT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL

         SECTION 5.1. ADDITIONAL SHARES.

         If a Holder elects to convert the Securities in connection with a
Change in Control that occurs on or prior to March 5, 2011 pursuant to Section
4.1(a)(6)(B), the Conversion Rate for such converting Holder shall be increased
by an additional number of shares of Common Stock (the "Additional Shares") as
described in this Section 5.1; provided that if the Stock Price is greater than
$50.00 (the "Stock Price Cap") or less than $8.00 (the "Stock Price Threshold")
(subject in each case to adjustment as described in Section 4.6), the number of
Additional Shares shall be zero. The Additional Shares shall be in addition to,
and not in substitution for, any Cash or shares of Common Stock otherwise due to
Holders of Securities upon conversion, as described in this Indenture.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>

         The number of Additional Shares shall be determined by reference to the
table set forth below in this Section 5.1, based on the date such Change in
Control transaction is consummated (the "Effective Date") and the Stock Price.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the total number of
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion exceed 51.29 shares per $1,000
Principal Amount, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Conversion
Rate shall be adjusted in accordance with Section 4.6.

         Any Conversion of Securities in connection with a Change in Control as
provided in this Section 5.1 and the settlement thereof shall be as set forth in
Article 4.

                             Additional Shares Table

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                Effective Date
                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   November 4,     March 5,      March 5,     March 5,      March 5,      March 5,      March 5,      March 5,
  Stock Price         2004          2005          2006         2007          2008          2009          2010          2011
  -----------      -----------     --------      --------     --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
<S>                <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>
     $ 8.00             33.7         33.7           33.7         33.7         33.7           33.7         33.7          33.7
     $ 9.00             28.7         28.4           27.4         26.1         24.3           24.3         23.7          19.8
     $10.00             24.3         24.0           22.6         21.0         18.5           17.4         16.5           8.7
     $11.00             20.9         20.5           19.0         17.1         14.2           12.1         11.2           0.0
     $12.00             18.3         17.8           16.2         14.2         11.0            7.9          7.1           0.0
     $13.00             16.1         15.6           14.0         11.9          8.6            4.7          4.1           0.0
     $14.00             14.3         13.9           12.2         10.1          6.8            2.3          2.0           0.0
     $15.00             12.9         12.4           10.8          8.6          5.4            1.0          0.9           0.0
     $20.00              8.3          7.9            6.4          4.6          2.0            0.0          0.0           0.0
     $30.00              4.7          4.3            3.3          2.1          0.7            0.0          0.0           0.0
     $40.00              3.2          3.0            2.2          1.4          0.4            0.0          0.0           0.0
     $50.00              2.4          2.3            1.7          1.0          0.3            0.0          0.0           0.0
</Table>

The exact Stock Price and Effective Dates may not be set forth on the table, in
which case, if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices on the table or the
Effective Date is between two Effective Dates on the table, the Additional
Shares shall be determined by straight-line interpolation between Additional
Shares amounts set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the two
Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year. The Stock Prices set
forth in the column headings are subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.6.

         SECTION 5.2. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].

         SECTION 5.3. CALCULATION AGENT.

         A Calculation Agent appointed from time to time by the Company shall,
on behalf of and at the request of the Company, calculate (a) the Stock Price
and (b) the Additional Shares with respect to such Stock Price, based on the
Effective Date specified by the Company, and shall deliver its calculation of
the Stock Price and Additional Shares to the Company and the Trustee within
three Business Days of the request by the Company or the Trustee. The Company,
or at the Company's request, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the
Company, shall provide a Notice to the Holders of the Stock Price and Additional
Shares per Principal Amount with respect to a Change in Control as part of the
Change in Control Notice. Any Notice so given shall be conclusively presumed to
have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

Notice. The Company shall verify, in writing, all calculations made by the
Calculation Agent pursuant to this Section 5.3.

         SECTION 5.4. ADJUSTMENT RELATED TO ADDITIONAL SHARES.

         Whenever the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.6, the Stock Price Threshold and the Stock Price
Cap shall be adjusted and each of the Stock Prices set forth in the Additional
Shares Table shall be adjusted. The adjusted Stock Price Threshold, Stock Price
Cap and Stock Prices in the table set forth in Section 5.1 shall equal (a) the
Stock Price Threshold, the Stock Price Cap and such Stock Prices, as the case
may be, immediately prior to such adjustment multiplied by (b) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to the adjustment
giving rise to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion
Rate as so adjusted.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                                    COVENANTS

         SECTION 6.1. PAYMENT OF SECURITIES.

         (a) The Company shall promptly make all payments in respect of the
Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and this
Indenture. An installment of principal or interest, shall be considered paid on
the date it is due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company) holds by 11:00
a.m., New York City time, on that date money, deposited by or on behalf of the
Company sufficient to pay the installment. Subject to Section 4.2 hereof,
accrued and unpaid interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually
paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the
Person in whose name that Security is registered at the close of business on the
Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company
maintained for such purpose. The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, pay interest in immediately available funds on overdue principal
(including premium, if any) and overdue installments of interest at the rate
borne by the Securities.

         (b) Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
the Securities shall be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained
for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (which shall
initially be the Trustee) or at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in
such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment
is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that
at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to
the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the
Register; provided further that a Holder with an aggregate principal amount in
excess of $2,000,000 will be paid by wire transfer in immediately available
funds at the election of such Holder if such Holder has provided wire transfer
instructions to the Company at least 10 Business Days prior to the payment date.

         SECTION 6.2. SEC REPORTS.

         (a) The Company shall file all reports and other information and
documents which it is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, and within 15 days after it files them with the SEC,
the Company shall file copies of all such reports, information and other
documents with the Trustee; provided that any such reports, information and
documents filed with the SEC pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis
and Retrieval system shall be deemed to be filed with the Trustee.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>

         (b) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee
is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not
constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or
determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

         SECTION 6.3. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.

         The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Company (beginning with the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2004), an Officers' Certificate as to the signer's knowledge of the
Company's compliance with all conditions and covenants on its part contained in
this Indenture and stating whether or not the signer knows of any default or
Event of Default. If such signer knows of such a default or Event of Default,
the Officers' Certificate shall describe the default or Event of Default and the
efforts to remedy the same. For the purposes of this Section 6.3, compliance
shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice
provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

         SECTION 6.4. FURTHER INSTRUMENTS AND ACTS.

         Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such
further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or
proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Indenture.

         SECTION 6.5. MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE.

         Subject to Article 7, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate
existence.

         SECTION 6.6. [Intentionally Omitted].

         SECTION 6.7. STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS.

         The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that
it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim
or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other
law which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion
of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on the Securities as
contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or
which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture, and the
Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all
benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort
to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein
granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such
power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                      -43-
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 7
              CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

         SECTION 7.1. COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS.

         (a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any Person or
convey, transfer or lease the Company's properties and assets substantially as
an entirety to any Person unless:

                  (1) either (A) the Company shall be the surviving corporation
or (B) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or
into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance,
transfer or lease, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an
entirety shall (i) be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
trust or other business entity organized and existing under the laws of the
United States of America or any State thereof and (ii) expressly assumes, by an
indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of
and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or
observance of every covenant and provision of this Indenture and the Securities
required on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and the
conversion rights shall be provided for in accordance with Articles 4 and 5, by
supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee, executed and
delivered to the Trustee, by the Person (if other than the Company) formed by
such consolidation or into which the Company shall have been merged or by the
Person which shall have acquired the Company's assets;

                  (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both,
would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

                  (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation,
merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is
required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture
complies with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for
relating to such transaction have been complied with.

         (b) For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment,
sale or otherwise) of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of
the Company (other than to the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company),
which, if such assets were owned by the Company, would constitute all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company, shall be deemed
to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of
the Company.

         SECTION 7.2. SUCCESSOR SUBSTITUTED.

         Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties
and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with
Section 7.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor
Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case
of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and
covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 8
                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

         SECTION 8.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

         (a) An "Event of Default" shall occur if:

                  (1) the Company defaults in the payment of any interest, if
any, on any Security when the same becomes due and payable and the default
continues for a period of 30 days;

                  (2) the Company defaults in the payment of any principal of
(including, without limitation, any premium, if any, on) any Security when the
same becomes due and payable (whether at maturity, upon a Change in Control
Repurchase Date, Redemption Date, in connection with a Put Right Purchase Date
or otherwise);

                  (3) the Company fails to comply with any of its other terms,
covenants or agreements contained in the Securities or this Indenture and the
default continues for a period of 30 days after the Notice of Default specified
below;

                  (4) the Company fails to provide a Change in Control
Repurchase Notice when required by Section 3.8 and the default continues for a
period of 5 days after the Notice of Default specified below; or

                  (5) any indebtedness under any bond, debenture, note or other
evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed (or guarantee thereof) by the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary or under any mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary (an "Instrument") with an aggregate principal amount then outstanding
in excess of $5,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter
be created, is not paid at final maturity of the Instrument by the end of the
applicable grace period (either at its stated maturity or upon acceleration
thereof), and such indebtedness is not discharged, or such acceleration is not
rescinded or annulled, within a period of 30 days after there shall have been
given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the
Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities then outstanding a written notice specifying such
default and requiring the Company or such Significant Subsidiary to cause such
indebtedness to be discharged or cause such default to be cured or waived or
such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a
"Notice of Default" hereunder; or

                  (6) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or
within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

                           (A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding;

                           (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief
against it in an involuntary case or proceeding or the commencement of any case
against it;

                           (C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it
or for all or substantially all of its property;

                           (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors;

                                      -45-
<PAGE>

                           (E) files a petition in bankruptcy or answer or
consent seeking reorganization or relief; or

                           (F) consents to the filing of such a petition or the
appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian; or

                  (7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or
decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

                           (A) is for relief against the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding or adjudicates the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary insolvent or bankrupt;

                           (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary; or

                           (C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

and in each case the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60
consecutive days.

The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11 of the United States Code (or any
successor thereto) or any similar federal or state law for the relief of
debtors. The term "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator,
sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

         (b) A default under clause (3) or (4) of Subsection 8.1(a) is not an
Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding
notify the Company and the Trustee, in writing of the default, and the Company
does not cure the default within the time specified in clauses (3) or (4) of
Subsection 8.1(a) after receipt of such notice. The notice given pursuant to
this Section 8.1 must specify the default, demand that it be remedied and state
that the notice is a Notice of Default. When any default under this Section 8.1
is cured, it ceases.

         (c) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 5 Business Days of
becoming aware of the occurrence of an Event of Default, written notice thereof.
In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 10 days after it
becomes aware of the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which with
the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clause (3), (4) or (5)
of Subsection 8.1(a).

         The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Event of Default
unless written notice thereof shall have been given to a Trust Officer at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee by the Company, a Paying Agent, any Holder
or any agent of any Holder or unless it acquires actual knowledge of such Event
of Default in the course of performing other duties pursuant to this Indenture.

         SECTION 8.2. ACCELERATION.

         If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
clause (6) or (7) of Subsection 8.1(a)) occurs and is continuing with respect to
the Company, the Trustee may, by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may,
by notice to the Company and the Trustee, declare the principal amount, and all
accrued and unpaid

                                      -46-
<PAGE>

interest, to the date of acceleration on the Securities then outstanding (if not
then due and payable) to be due and payable upon any such declaration, and the
same shall become and be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default
specified in clause (6) or (7) of Subsection 8.1(a) occurs and is continuing
with respect to the Company, the principal amount, and all accrued and unpaid
interest, of the Securities then outstanding shall ipso facto become and be
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of
the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may rescind
an acceleration and its consequences if (a) all existing Events of Default,
other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Securities which has become
due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived; (b)
to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest (calculated at
the rate per annum borne by the Securities) on overdue installments of interest
and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration
of acceleration, has been paid; (c) the rescission would not conflict with any
judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and (d) all payments
due to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 9.7 have been made.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereto.

         SECTION 8.3. OTHER REMEDIES.

         (a) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may,
but shall not be obligated to, pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law
or in equity to collect the payment of the principal of or interest on the
Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or
this Indenture.

         (b) The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess
any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay
or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the
extent permitted by law.

         SECTION 8.4. WAIVER OF DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

         Subject to Sections 8.7 and 11.2, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding by notice to the
Trustee may waive an existing default or Event of Default and its consequences,
except a default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any Security, a failure by the Company to
convert any Securities into Common Stock or any default or Event of Default in
respect of any provision of this Indenture or the Securities which, under
Section 11.2, cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of
each Security affected. When a default or Event of Default is waived, it is
cured and ceases.

         SECTION 8.5. CONTROL BY MAJORITY.

         The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust
or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any
direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines
may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder or the Trustee, or
that may involve the Trustee in personal liability unless the Trustee is offered
indemnity satisfactory to it; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any
other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such
direction.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 8.6. LIMITATIONS ON SUITS.

         (a) A Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture
or the Securities (except actions for payment of overdue principal, premium, if
any, or interest for the conversion of the Securities pursuant to Article 4)
unless:

                  (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default;

                  (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the then outstanding Securities make a written request to the Trustee to
pursue the remedy;

                  (3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee reasonable
indemnity to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

                  (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60
days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

                  (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has
been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding.

         (b) A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights
of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other
Securityholder.

         SECTION 8.7. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT AND TO CONVERT.

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder of a Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on the
Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security and
this Indenture, to convert such Security in accordance with Article 4 and to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates or the right to convert, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

         SECTION 8.8. COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.

         If an Event of Default in the payment of principal or interest
specified in clause (1) or (2) of Subsection 8.1(a) occurs and is continuing,
the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express
trust against the Company or another obligor on the Securities for the whole
amount of principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with, to the
extent that payment of such interest is lawful interest on overdue principal and
overdue installments of interest in each case at the rate per annum borne by the
Securities and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

         SECTION 8.9. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.

         The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents
as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee
(including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements
and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in
any

                                      -48-
<PAGE>

judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor on the
Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered
to collect and receive any money or other property payable or deliverable on any
such claims and to distribute the same, and any Custodian in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the
Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such
payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under
Section 9.7, and to the extent that such payment of the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances in any such proceedings shall be denied for
any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid
out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other
property which the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceedings,
whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or
otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to, or, on behalf of any Holder, to authorize, accept or
adopt any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize
the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding.

         SECTION 8.10. PRIORITIES.

         (a) If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 8, it
shall pay out the money in the following order:

                  (1) First, to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 9.7;

                  (2) Second, to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the
Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority
of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for
principal and interest, respectively;

                  (3) Third, to such other Person or Persons, if any, to the
extent entitled thereto; and

                  (4) Fourth, the balance, if any, to the Company.

         (b) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment
to Holders pursuant to this Section 8.10.

         SECTION 8.11. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.

         In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due
regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party
litigant. This Section 8.11 does not apply to a suit made by the Trustee, a suit
by a Holder pursuant to Section 8.7, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding.

                                      -49-
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 9
                                     TRUSTEE

         SECTION 9.1. DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.

         (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and
use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own
affairs.

         (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

                  (1) the Trustee need perform only those duties as are
specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others; and

                  (2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the
Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee,
however, shall examine any certificates and opinions which by any provision
hereof are specifically required to be delivered to the Trustee to determine
whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

         (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

                  (1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of Subsection (b)
of this Section 9.1;

                  (2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

                  (3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received
by it pursuant to Section 8.5.

         (d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its
rights or powers unless the Trustee shall have received adequate indemnity in
its opinion against potential costs and liabilities incurred by it relating
thereto.

Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is
subject to Subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 9.1.

         (e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received
by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in
trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.

                                      -50-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 9.2. RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

         (a) Subject to Section 9.1:

                  (1) The Trustee may rely conclusively on any document believed
by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.
The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

                  (2) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform
to Section 14.4(b). The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers' Certificate or
Opinion.

                  (3) The Trustee may act through its agents and shall not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due
care.

                  (4) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its
rights or powers.

                  (5) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and
the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any such action taken,
omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the
advice or opinion of such counsel.

                  (6) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the
Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by
it in compliance with such request or direction.

                  (7) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but
the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation
into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall
determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to
examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent
or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or
additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

                  (8) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any
Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual
knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a
default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such
notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

                  (9) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and
benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be
indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each
of its capacities hereunder, including, without limitation as Paying Agent,
Registrar and Conversion Agent, and to each agent, custodian and other Person
employed to act hereunder.

                                      -51-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 9.3. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

         The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee is
subject to Sections 9.10 and 9.11.

         SECTION 9.4. TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.

         The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture, the Securities, or the Pledged Securities it shall not be
accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it
shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its
certificate of authentication.

         SECTION 9.5. NOTICE OF DEFAULT OR EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

         If a default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it
is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder notice of
all uncured defaults or Events of Default known to it within 90 days after it
occurs. However, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a
committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice
is in the interests of Securityholders, except in the case of a default or an
Event of Default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest
on any Security when due or in the payment of any redemption or purchase
obligation.

         SECTION 9.6. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS.

         (a) If a report is required by TIA Section 313, within 60 days after
each December 31, beginning with the December 31 following the date of this
Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as
of such December 31 that complies with TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee also
shall comply with TIA Section 313(b)(2) and (c).

         (b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders
shall be mailed to the Company and, to the extent required by the TIA, filed
with the SEC, and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Securities are
listed. The Company shall notify the Trustee whenever the Securities become
listed on any stock exchange or listed or admitted to trading on any quotation
system and any changes in the stock exchanges or quotation systems on which the
Securities are listed or admitted to trading and of any delisting thereof.

         SECTION 9.7. COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.

         (a) The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such
compensation (as agreed to from time to time by the Company and the Trustee in
writing) for its services (which compensation shall not be limited by any
provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust). The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable
disbursements, expenses and advances incurred or made by it. Such expenses may
include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's
agents and counsel.

         (b) The Company shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee
(which for purposes of this Section 9.7 shall include its officers, directors,
employees and agents) for, and hold it harmless against, any and all loss,
liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by
or determined by

                                      -52-
<PAGE>

the income of the Trustee), (including reasonable legal fees and expenses)
incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties
under this Indenture or any action or failure to act as authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon the Trustee hereunder including
the reasonable costs and expenses of the Trustee and its counsel in defending
itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify
the Company promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee for which it may
seek indemnity. The Company need not pay for any settlement effected without its
prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

         (c) The Company need not reimburse the Trustee for any expense or
indemnify it against any loss or liability incurred by it resulting from its
gross negligence or bad faith.

         (d) To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section 9.7,
the Trustee shall have a senior claim to which the Securities are hereby made
subordinate on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except
such money or property held in trust to pay the principal of and interest on
particular Securities. The obligations of the Company under this Section 9.7
shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the
resignation or removal of the Trustee.

         (e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event
of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Subsection 8.1(a) occurs, the
expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute
expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law. The provisions of this
Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

         SECTION 9.8. REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE.

         (a) The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company. The Holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may
remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may, with the Company's
written consent, appoint a successor Trustee. The Company may remove the Trustee
if:

                  (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 9.10;

                  (2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

                  (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the
Trustee or its property; or

                  (4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

         (b) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee. The resignation or removal of a Trustee shall not be effective until a
successor Trustee shall have delivered the written acceptance of its appointment
as described below.

         (c) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 45 days after
the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or
the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee at the expense of the Company.

                                      -53-
<PAGE>

         (d) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 9.10, any Holder may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and
the appointment of a successor Trustee.

         (e) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that,
the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the
successor Trustee and be released from its obligations (exclusive of any
liabilities that the retiring Trustee may have incurred while acting as Trustee)
hereunder, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and
duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail
notice of its succession to each Holder.

         (f) A retiring Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of
any successor Trustee after its succession.

         (g) Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
9.8, the Company's obligations under Section 9.7 shall continue for the benefit
of the retiring Trustee.

         SECTION 9.9. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.

         If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers
all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets (including the
administration of this Indenture) to, another corporation, the resulting,
surviving or transferee corporation, without any further act, shall be the
successor Trustee, provided such transferee corporation shall qualify and be
eligible under Section 9.10. Such successor Trustee shall promptly mail notice
of its succession to the Company and each Holder.

         SECTION 9.10. ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.

         The Trustee shall always satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (1),
(2) and (5) of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee (or its parent holding company)
shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If at any
time the Trustee shall cease to satisfy any such requirements, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article 9. The
Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of TIA Section 310(b). Nothing herein
shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to
in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).

         SECTION 9.11. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.

         The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any
creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned
or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated
therein.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                     SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

         SECTION 10.1. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.

         (a) (1) This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as
to any surviving rights of conversion, registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities herein expressly provided for and except as

                                      -54-
<PAGE>

further provided below), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the
Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, when

                  (1) either

                           (A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and
delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen
and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.7 and (ii)
Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and
thereafter repaid to the Company as provided in Section 10.3) have been
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

                           (B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation,

                                    (i) have become due and payable,

                                    (ii) will become due and payable at the
Final Maturity Date within one year, or

                                    (iii) are to be called for redemption within
one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the
giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense,
of the Company

                  (2) and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be
irrevocably deposited Cash with the Trustee or a Paying Agent (other than the
Company or any of its Affiliates) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of and
in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such
Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for
principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities
which have become due and payable) or to the Final Maturity Date or Redemption
Date, as the case may be. In the event that the Company exercises its right to
redeem the Securities as provided in Article 3, the Company shall have the right
to withdraw its funds previously deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent
pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence;

                  (3) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums
payable hereunder by the Company; and

                  (4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture
have been complied with.

         (b) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
the obligations of the Company with respect to the conversion privilege and the
Conversion Rate of the Securities pursuant to Article 4, the obligations of the
Company to the Trustee under Section 9.7 and, if money shall have been deposited
with the Trustee pursuant to clause (2) of Subsection 10.1(a), the provisions of
Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 and 2.12 and Articles 3, 4 and 5, the last
paragraph of Section 6.2 and this Article 10, shall survive until the Securities
have been paid in full.

         SECTION 10.2. APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY.

         Subject to the provisions of Section 10.3, the Trustee or a Paying
Agent shall hold in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, all money deposited
with it pursuant to Section 10.1 and shall apply the deposited

                                      -55-
<PAGE>

money in accordance with this Indenture and the Securities to the payment of the
principal of and interest on the Securities.

         SECTION 10.3. REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.

         (a) The Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company
upon request any excess money (1) deposited with them pursuant to Section 10.1
and (2) held by them at any time.

         (b) The Trustee and each Paying Agent shall, subject to applicable
abandonment property laws, pay to the Company upon request any money held by
them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two
years after a right to such money has matured; provided, however, that the
Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment,
may at the expense of the Company cause to be mailed to each Holder entitled to
such money notice that such money remains unclaimed and that after a date
specified therein, which shall be at least 30 days from the date of such
mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to
the Company. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to money must look
to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned
property law designates another person.

         SECTION 10.4. REINSTATEMENT.

         (a) If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 10.2 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of
any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining,
restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company's
obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and
reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 10.1 until such
time as the Trustee or such Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in
accordance with Section 10.2; provided, however, that if the Company has made
any payment of the principal of or interest on any Securities because of the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights
of the Holders of such Securities to receive any such payment from the money
held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent.

         (b) If pursuant to the last sentence of Section 10.1(1), the Company
withdraws its previously deposited funds as a result of its exercise of its
redemption right, the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the
Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit has occurred
pursuant to Section 10.1.

                                   ARTICLE 11
                       AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

         SECTION 11.1. WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS.

         (a) The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture
or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Securityholder for the
purpose of:

                  (1) adding to the Company's covenants for the benefit of the
Holders;

                  (2) surrendering any right or power conferred upon the
Company;

                                      -56-
<PAGE>

                  (3) providing for conversion rights of Holders if any
reclassification or change of Common Stock or any consolidation, merger or sale
of all or substantially all of the Company's assets occurs;

                  (4) reducing the Conversion Rate, provided that the reduction
will not adversely affect the interests of Holders in any material respect;

                  (5) complying with the requirements of the SEC in order to
effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

                  (6) [Intentionally Omitted].

                  (7) curing any ambiguity, omission, inconsistency or
correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained in this Indenture;
provided that such modification or amendment does not, in the good faith opinion
of the Board of Directors and the Trustee, adversely affect the interests of the
Holders in any material respect;

                  (8) adding or modifying any other provisions which the Company
and the Trustee may deem necessary or desirable and which will not adversely
affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect;

                  (9) complying with Article 7; or

                  (10) providing for uncertificated Securities in addition to
the Certificated Securities so long as such uncertificated Securities are in
registered form for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         SECTION 11.2. WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS.

         (a) The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture
or the Securities with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding or by the
adoption of a resolution at a meeting of Holders at which a quorum is present by
at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities represented
at the meeting. The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Securities then outstanding may waive compliance in a particular instance
by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities without
notice to any Holder. However, notwithstanding the foregoing but subject to
Section 11.4, without the written consent of each Holder affected, an amendment,
supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 8.4, may not:

                  (1) change the maturity of the principal of or any installment
of interest on any Security;

                  (2) reduce the principal amount of, premium, if any, or
interest on, or the amount payable upon redemption or purchase pursuant to
Article 3, with respect to any Security;

                  (3) reduce the interest rate or interest, to any Security;

                  (4) change the currency of payment of principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on any Security;

                                      -57-
<PAGE>

                  (5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any payment on or with respect to, or conversion of, any Security;

                  (6) modify the Company's obligation to purchase Securities at
the option of Holders or the Company's right to redeem Securities, in a manner
adverse to the Holders;

                  (7) except as otherwise permitted or contemplated by
provisions of this Indenture concerning corporate reorganizations, adversely
affect the purchase option of Holders upon a Change in Control or the conversion
rights of Holders;

                  (8) modify the provisions of this Indenture in a manner that
adversely affects the interests of the Holders in any material respect;

                  (9) modify the subordination provisions of the Securities in a
manner adverse to the Holders in any material respect; or

                  (10) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of
Securities outstanding necessary to modify or amend this Indenture or to waive
any past default.

         (b) After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 11.2
becomes effective, the Company shall promptly mail to the Holders affected
thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any
failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not,
however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment,
supplement or waiver.

         SECTION 11.3. COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

         Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities
shall comply with the TIA as in effect at the date of such amendment or
supplement.

         SECTION 11.4. REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.

         (a) Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a
consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every
subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same
debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of the consent is not
made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke
the consent as to its Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives
the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver
becomes effective.

         (b) After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it
shall bind every Securityholder, unless it makes a change described in any of
clauses (1) through (8) of Subsection 11.2(a). In that case the amendment,
supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to
it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security.

         SECTION 11.5. NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES.

         If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security,
the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the

                                      -58-
<PAGE>

Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if
the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the
Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that
reflects the changed terms.

         SECTION 11.6. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.

         The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplemental indenture
authorized pursuant to this Article 11 if the amendment or supplemental
indenture does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or
immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, in its sole discretion,
but need not sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or
supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to
Section 9.1, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel
stating that such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted
by this Indenture. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplement indenture
until the Board of Directors approves it.

         SECTION 11.7. EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

         Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article,
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

                                   ARTICLE 12

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                   ARTICLE 13
                                  SUBORDINATION

         SECTION 13.1. AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE.

         The Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Security agrees,
that the payment of principal of and interest on and other obligations of any
kind evidenced by the Securities and this Indenture are subordinated in right of
payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article 13, to the
prior payment in full in Cash or Cash equivalents (or otherwise to the extent
Holders accept satisfaction of amounts due by settlement in other than Cash or
Cash equivalents) of all senior indebtedness whether outstanding on the date
hereof or hereafter incurred.

         SECTION 13.2. LIQUIDATION; DISSOLUTION; BANKRUPTCY.

         In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in
connection therewith, relating to the Company or to its assets, or any
liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary
or involuntary, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors or other
marshaling of assets or liabilities of the Company (except in connection with
the consolidation or merger of the Company or its liquidation or dissolution
following the conveyance, transfer or lease of its properties and assets
substantially upon the terms and conditions described in Article 7), the holders
of senior indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in

                                      -59-
<PAGE>

full in Cash or Cash equivalents (or otherwise to the extent Holders accept
satisfaction of amounts due by settlement in other than Cash or Cash
equivalents) of all senior indebtedness, or provision shall be made for such
payment, before the Holders will be entitled to receive any payment or
distribution of any kind or character (other than payments or distributions in
the form of Permitted Junior Securities, whether on account of principal of, or
interest on the Securities); and any payment or distribution of assets of the
Company of any kind or character, whether in Cash, property or securities (other
than payments or distributions in the form of Permitted Junior Securities), by
set-off or otherwise, to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled but
for the provisions of this Article 13 shall be paid by the liquidating trustee
or agent or other person making such payment or distribution directly to the
holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives ratably according to the
aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the senior indebtedness to the
extent necessary to make payment in full in Cash or Cash equivalents (or
otherwise to the extent holders accept satisfaction of amounts due by settlement
in other than Cash or Cash equivalents) of all senior indebtedness remaining
unpaid, or to have such payment duly provided for, after giving effect to any
concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such senior indebtedness.

         SECTION 13.3. DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.

         (a) No payment or distribution of any assets of the Company of any kind
or character, whether in Cash, property or securities (other than payments in
the form of Permitted Junior Securities), may be made by or on behalf of the
Company on account of principal of or interest, on the Securities or on account
of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Securities upon the
occurrence of any Payment Default until such Payment Default shall have been
cured or waived in writing or shall have ceased to exist or the senior
indebtedness giving rise to such Payment Default shall have been discharged or
paid in full in Cash or Cash equivalents (or otherwise to the extent Holders
accept satisfaction of amounts due by settlement in other than Cash or Cash
equivalents).

         (b) No payment or distribution of any assets of the Company of any kind
or character, whether in Cash, property or securities (other than payments in
the form of Permitted Junior Securities), may be made by or on behalf of the
Company on account of principal of or interest, on the Securities or on account
of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Securities during a Payment
Blockage Period arising as a result of Non-Payment Default.

A "Payment Blockage Period" will commence upon the date of receipt by the
Trustee of written notice from the representative of the holders of the
Designated Senior Indebtedness in respect of which the Non-Payment Default
exists and shall end on the earliest of:

                  (1) 179 days thereafter (provided that any Designated Senior
Indebtedness as to which notice was given shall not theretofore have been
accelerated);

                  (2) the date on which such Non-Payment Default is cured,
waived or ceases to exist;

                  (3) the date on which such Designated Senior Indebtedness is
discharged or paid in full; or

                  (4) the date on which such Payment Blockage Period shall have
been terminated by written notice to the Trustee or the Company from the
representative initiating such Payment Blockage Period;

                                      -60-
<PAGE>

after which the Company will resume making any and all required payments in
respect of the Securities, including any missed payments. No more than one
Payment Blockage Period may be commenced during any period of 365 consecutive
days. No Non-Payment Default that existed or was continuing on the date of the
commencement of any Payment Blockage Period shall be, or can be made, the basis
for the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period, unless such
Non-Payment Default has been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90
consecutive days subsequent to the commencement of such initial Payment Blockage
Period.

         SECTION 13.4. ACCELERATION OF SECURITIES.

         If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of
Default, the Company shall promptly notify holders of senior indebtedness of the
acceleration.

         SECTION 13.5. WHEN DISTRIBUTION MUST BE PAID OVER.

         (a) In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.2
and 13.3, any payment or distribution, whether in Cash, property or securities,
shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder, which is prohibited by such
provisions, then and in such event such payment shall be held for the benefit
of, and shall be paid over and delivered by such Trustee or Holder to, the
representative of holders of senior indebtedness, as their interests may appear,
for application to senior indebtedness to the extent necessary to pay or to
provide for the payment of all such senior indebtedness in full in Cash or Cash
equivalents (or otherwise to the extent Holders accept satisfaction of amounts
due by settlement in other than Cash or Cash equivalents). After all senior
indebtedness is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full, Holders
shall be subrogated (equally and ratably with all other indebtedness that is
equal in right of payment to the Securities) to the rights of holders of senior
indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to senior indebtedness to the
extent that distributions otherwise payable to the Holders have been applied to
the payment of senior indebtedness.

         (b) With respect to the holders of senior indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform only such obligations on the part of the Trustee as are
specifically set forth in this Article 13, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of senior indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of senior indebtedness, and shall not be
liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall pay over or distribute to or on
behalf of Holders or the Company or any other Person money or assets to which
any holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article
13, except if such payment is made as a result of the willful misconduct or
gross negligence of the Trustee.

         SECTION 13.6. NOTICE BY THE COMPANY.

         The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent of
any facts known to the Company that would cause a payment of any obligations
with respect to the Securities to violate this Article 13, but failure to give
such notice shall not affect the subordination of the Securities to the senior
indebtedness as provided in this Article 13.

         SECTION 13.7. SUBROGATION.

         After all senior indebtedness is paid in full and until the Securities
are paid in full, Holders shall be subrogated (equally and ratably with all
other indebtedness that is equal in right of payment to the Securities)

                                      -61-
<PAGE>

to the rights of holders of senior indebtedness to receive distributions
applicable to senior indebtedness to the extent that distributions otherwise
payable to the Holders have been applied to the payment of senior indebtedness.
A distribution made under this Article 13 to holders of senior indebtedness that
otherwise would have been made to Holders is not, as between the Company and
Holders, a payment by the Company of the Securities.

         SECTION 13.8. RELATIVE RIGHTS.

         This Article 13 defines the relative rights of Holders and holders of
senior indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall: (a) impair, as between the
Company and Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay principal of and interest on the Securities in accordance
with their terms; (b) affect the relative rights of Holders and creditors of the
Company other than their rights in relation to holders of senior indebtedness;
or (c) prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising its available remedies
upon a Default or Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders and owners
of senior indebtedness to receive distributions and payments otherwise payable
to Holders. If the Company fails because of this Article 13 to pay principal of
or interest on a Security on the Final Maturity Date or an Interest Payment
Date, the failure is still a Default or Event of Default.

         SECTION 13.9. SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED BY THE COMPANY.

         (a) No right of any holder of senior indebtedness to enforce the
subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be impaired
by any act or failure to act by the Company or any Holder or by the failure of
the Company or any Holder to comply with this Indenture.

         (b) Without in any way limiting the generality of this Section 13.9,
the holders of senior indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time,
without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without
incurring responsibility to the Trustee or the Holders and without impairing or
releasing the subordination provided in this Article 13 or the obligations
hereunder of the Holders to the holders of senior indebtedness, do any one or
more of the following: (1) change the manner, place or terms of payment or
extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, senior indebtedness, or any
instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which senior indebtedness
is outstanding or secured; (2) sell, exchange, release, foreclose against or
otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing senior
indebtedness; (3) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of
senior indebtedness; and (4) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights
against the Company, and Subsidiary thereof or any other Person.

         SECTION 13.10. DISTRIBUTION OR NOTICE TO REPRESENTATIVE.

         (a) Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders
of any senior indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to
their trustee or representative.

         (b) Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred
to in this Article 13, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely
upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction or upon any
certificate of such representative(s) or of the liquidating trustee or agent or
other Person making any distribution to the Trustee or to the Holders for the
purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, all holders of the senior indebtedness and other indebtedness of
the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid
or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article
13.

                                      -62-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 13.11. RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT.

         (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 13 or any other
provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of
the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment or
distribution by the Trustee, and the Trustee and the Paying Agent may continue
to make payments on the Securities, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee
shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office at least three Business Days
prior to the date of such payment written notice of facts that would cause the
payment of any obligations with respect to the Securities to violate this
Article 13. Only the Company or representative may give the notice. Nothing in
this Article 13 shall impair the claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or
pursuant to Section 9.6.

         (b) The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold senior
indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

                                   ARTICLE 14
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 14.1. TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.

         If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
the duties imposed by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the TIA through
operation of Section 318(c) thereof, such imposed duties shall control.

         SECTION 14.2. NOTICES.

         Any demand, authorization notice, request, consent or communication
shall be given in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows or transmitted by facsimile transmission
(confirmed by delivery in person or mail by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
or by guaranteed overnight courier) to the following facsimile numbers:

                  If to the Company, to:

                  Bell Microproducts Inc.
                  1941 Ringwood Avenue
                  San Jose, California  95131
                  Attention: Jim Illson
                  Facsimile No.: (408) 451-1632

                  if to the Trustee, to:

                  Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
                  MAC N9303-120
                  Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue
                  Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479
                  Attn:  Corporate Trust Administration
                  Facsimile No.: (612) 687-9825

                                      -63-
<PAGE>

         Such notices or communications shall be effective when received.

         The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

         Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed
by first-class mail or delivered by an overnight delivery service to it at its
address shown on the register kept by the Primary Registrar.

         Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders. If a notice or communication to a Securityholder is mailed in
the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee
receives it.

         SECTION 14.3. COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS.

         Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with
other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other person shall
have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

         SECTION 14.4. CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

         (a) Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to
take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee
at the request of the Trustee:

                  (1) an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of
the signers, all conditions precedent (including any covenants, compliance with
which constitutes a condition precedent), if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

                  (2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all such conditions precedent (including any covenants, compliance with
which constitutes a condition precedent) have been complied with.

         (b) Each Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall
include:

                  (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition;

                  (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in
such certificate or opinion are based;

                  (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he or she
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and

                  (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
person, such condition or covenant has been complied with;

                                      -64-
<PAGE>

provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel
may rely on an Officers' Certificate or certificates of public officials.

         SECTION 14.5. RECORD DATE FOR VOTE OR CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

         The Company (or, in the event deposits have been made pursuant to
Section 10.1, the Trustee) may set a record date for purposes of determining the
identity of Holders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent
authorized or permitted under this Indenture, which record date shall not be
more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the commencement of solicitation
of such action. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11.4, if a record date
is fixed, those persons who were Holders of Securities at the close of business
on such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons,
shall be entitled to take such action by vote or consent or to revoke any vote
or consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders
after such record date.

         SECTION 14.6. RULES BY TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR, CALCULATION
                       AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT.

         The Trustee may make reasonable rules (not inconsistent with the terms
of this Indenture) for action by or at a meeting of Holders. Any Registrar,
Paying Agent, Calculation Agent or Conversion Agent may make reasonable rules
for its functions.

         SECTION 14.7. LEGAL HOLIDAYS.

         A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which state or
federally chartered banking institutions in New York, New York and the state in
which the Corporate Trust Office is located are not required to be open. If a
payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding
day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the
intervening period. If a Regular Record Date is a Legal Holiday, the record date
shall not be affected.

         SECTION 14.8. GOVERNING LAW.

         This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

         SECTION 14.9. NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.

         This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or
debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such
indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

         SECTION 14.10. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.

         All liability described in paragraph 20 of the Securities of any
director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company is waived
and released.

                                      -65-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 14.11. SUCCESSORS.

         All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities
shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall
bind its successor.

         SECTION 14.12. MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS.

         The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture. Each
signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together
represent the same agreement.

         SECTION 14.13. SEPARABILITY.

         In case any provisions in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         SECTION 14.14. TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.

         The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the
Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                      -66-
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands as
of the date and year first above written.

                                    BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

                                    By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  W. Donald Bell
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                                    By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  James E. Illson
                                    Title: Chief Financial Officer and Executive
                                           Vice President of Finance and
                                           Operations

                                    WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

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

                        [Signature page to the Indenture]

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
                           [FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

         UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC. OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT
HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE
OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE
THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. THIS SECURITY
IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO
AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS
SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER
THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
IN THE INDENTURE AND, UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR
SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A
WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE
DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.(1)

----------
(1) This paragraph should be included only if the Security is a Global Security.

                                       A-1
<PAGE>

                             BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

CUSIP:                                                                R-
      -----------                                                       --------

            3 3/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES, SERIES B DUE 2024

         Bell Microproducts Inc., a California corporation (the "Company", which
term shall include any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on
the reverse hereof), promises to pay to___________ _________________, or
registered assigns, the principal sum of _____________________________ Dollars
($__________) on March 5, 2024 or such greater or lesser amount as is indicated
on the Schedule of Exchanges of Securities on the other side of this
Security.(2)

Interest Payment Dates:  March 5 and September 5.

Regular Record Dates:    February 20 and August 20.

         This Security is convertible as specified on the other side of this
Security. Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side
of this Security.

                             SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

----------
(2) This phrase should be included only if the Security is a Global Security.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed.

                                                    BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.

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

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

Dated:

Trustee's Certificate of Authentication:  This is one of the
Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

By:
   -----------------------------------
    Authorized Signatory

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

                       [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

                             BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.
            3 3/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES, SERIES B DUE 2024

1.       INTEREST

         Bell Microproducts Inc., a California corporation (the "Company", which
term shall include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security
at the rate of 3 3/4% per annum. The Company shall pay interest semiannually on
March 5 and September 5 of each year, commencing March 5, 2004. Interest on the
Securities shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December __, 2004; provided,
however, that if there is not an existing default in the payment of interest and
if this Security is authenticated between a Regular Record Date referred to on
the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall
accrue from such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

         No sinking fund is provided for the Securities.

2.       METHOD OF PAYMENT

         The Company shall pay interest on this Security (except defaulted
interest) to the person who is the Holder of this Security at the close of
business on February 20 or August 20, as the case may be, (each, a Regular
Record Date) next preceding the related Interest Payment Date. The Holder must
surrender this Security to a Paying Agent to collect payment of principal. The
Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at
the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. The
Company may, however, pay principal and interest in respect of any Certificated
Security by check or wire payable in such money; provided, however, that a
Holder with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $1,000,000 will be paid
by wire transfer in immediately available funds at the election of such Holder
if such Holder has provided wire transfer instructions to the Company. The
Company may mail an interest check to the Holder's registered address.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as this Security is registered in the
name of a Depositary or its nominee, all payments hereon shall be made by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its
nominee.

3.       PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR, CALCULATION AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT

         Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the "Trustee", which
term shall include any successor trustee under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to) will act as Paying Agent, Registrar and Conversion Agent, and
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC will act as Calculation Agent. The Company may
change any Paying Agent, Registrar, Calculation Agent or Conversion Agent
without notice to the Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may,
subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, act as Paying Agent
or Registrar.

4.       INDENTURE, LIMITATIONS

         This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the
Company designated as its 3 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes, Series B due
2024 (the "Securities"), issued under an Indenture dated as of

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

December __, 2004 (together with any supplemental indentures thereto, the
"Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of this Security
include those stated in the Indenture and those required by or made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in
effect on the date of the Indenture. This Security is subject to all such terms,
and the Holder of this Security is referred to the Indenture and said Act for a
statement of them.

         The Securities are subordinated unsecured obligations of the Company
limited to $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount. The Indenture does not limit
other debt of the Company, secured or unsecured.

5.       OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

         Prior to March 5, 2009, this Security shall not be redeemable. The
Company may, at its option, redeem this Security (i) on or after March 5, 2009,
and prior to March 5, 2011, if the Closing Price of the Common Stock has
exceeded 130% of the Conversion Price then in effect for least 20 Trading Days
within a period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day before
the date of mailing of the notice of redemption as set forth in Section 3.3 of
the Indenture for Cash in whole, or from time to time in part, (in integral
multiples of $1,000) at a Redemption Price equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal
amount to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the
Redemption Date, or (ii) on or after March 5, 2011, for Cash in whole, or from
time to time in part, (in integral multiples of $1,000) at a Redemption Price
equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided that if the Redemption
Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or before an Interest Payment
Date, then the interest will be payable to the Holders in whose names this
Security is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date and
the Redemption Price shall not include such interest payment. This Security or
portions of this Security called for redemption shall be convertible by the
Holder until the close of business on the business day prior to the Redemption
Date.

6.       NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

         Notice of redemption, as set forth in Section 3.3 of the Indenture,
will be mailed by first-class mail at least 20 days but not more than 60 days
before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at its
registered address. If in a denomination larger than $1,000, this Security may
be redeemed in part, but only in whole multiples of $1,000. On and after the
Redemption Date, subject to the deposit with the Paying Agent of funds
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price plus accrued interest to, but excluding,
the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on Securities or portions of
them called for redemption.

7.       PURCHASE OF THIS SECURITY AT OPTION OF HOLDER UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL

         At the option of the Holder and subject to the terms and conditions of
the Indenture, the Company shall become obligated to purchase all or any part
specified by the Holder (so long as the principal amount of such part is $1,000
or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of this Security held by
such Holder on the date that is 30 days after the date of the Change in Control
Purchase Notice, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof together with any accrued interest up to, but excluding, the Change in
Control Purchase Date. The Holder shall have the right to withdraw any Change in
Control Purchase Notice (in whole or in a portion thereof that is $1,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) at any time prior to the close of
business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Change in Control
Purchase Date by delivering a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

8.       PURCHASE OF THIS SECURITY AT OPTION OF HOLDER ON SPECIFIED DATES

         At the option of the Holder and subject to the terms and conditions of
the Indenture, the Company shall become obligated to purchase for Cash all or
any part specified by the Holder (so long as the principal amount of such part
is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of this Security
held by such Holder on the applicable Put Right Purchase Date at the applicable
Put Right Purchase Price. The Holder shall have the right to withdraw any Put
Right Purchase Notice (in whole or in a portion thereof that is $1,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) at any time prior to the close of
business on the Put Right Purchase Date by delivering a written notice of
withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

9.       CONVERSION

         Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, at
the option of the Holder thereof, any Security that is an integral multiple of
$1,000 may be converted for the Principal Return and, if applicable, the Net
Share Amount as provided in the Indenture.

10.      EXCHANGE IN LIEU OF CONVERSION

         When a Holder surrenders this Security, or any part hereof, for
conversion, the Company may direct the Conversion Agent to surrender, on or
prior to the date of determination the Applicable Stock Price, such Security to
the Financial Institution for exchange in lieu of conversion and the Financial
Institution will deliver to such Holder a number of shares of Common Stock equal
to the Applicable Conversion Rate, plus Cash for any fractional shares, or Cash
or a combination of Cash and shares of Common Stock in lieu thereof.

11.      MAKE WHOLE AMOUNT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL

         If a Holder elects to convert this Security, or any part hereof, in
connection with the Change in Control that occurs on or prior to March 5, 2011,
the Conversion Rate for such converting Holder shall be increased by the
Additional Shares as provided in the Indenture.

12.      DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE

         The Securities are in registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder may register
the transfer of or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The
Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes or other governmental
charges that may be imposed in relation thereto by law or permitted by the
Indenture.

13.      PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

         The Holder of a Security may be treated as the owner of it for all
purposes.

14.      UNCLAIMED MONEY

         If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for
two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money back to the Company at
its written request, subject to applicable unclaimed

                                      A-6
<PAGE>

property law. After that, Holders entitled to money must look to the Company for
payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law
designates another person.

15.      AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

         Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Securities may be
amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding, and an
existing default or Event of Default and its consequence or compliance with any
provision of the Indenture or the Securities may be waived in a particular
instance with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities then outstanding. Without the consent of or notice to
any Holder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or
the Securities to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency or make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights
of any Holder.

16.      SUBORDINATION

         The payment of principal, or premium, if any, and interest on the
Securities will be subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the
Indenture, to the prior payment in full in Cash or Cash equivalents (or
otherwise to the extent Holders accept satisfaction of amounts due by settlement
in other than Cash or Cash equivalents) of all senior indebtedness whether
outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred.

17.      SUCCESSOR ENTITY

         When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its
predecessor under the Securities and the Indenture in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the Indenture, the predecessor corporation (except in certain
circumstances specified in the Indenture) be released from those obligations.

18.      DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

         Under the Indenture, an Event of Default includes: (i) a default for 30
days in payments of interest on any Securities; (ii) a default in payment of any
principal of, or premium, if any, on the Securities when due; (iii) failure by
the Company for 30 days after notice to comply with any of its other terms,
covenants or agreements contained in the Indenture or the Securities; (iv)
failure by the Company for 5 days after notice to provide a notice of a Change
in Control; (v) certain defaults in the payment of certain indebtedness of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary or (vi) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary.

         If an Event of Default (other than as a result of certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company) occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal to
the date of acceleration on the Securities then outstanding to be due and
payable immediately, all as and to the extent provided in the Indenture. If an
Event of Default occurs as a result of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization of the Company, unpaid principal of the Securities then
outstanding shall become due and payable immediately without any declaration or
other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, all as and to the extent
provided in the Indenture. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the
Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require
indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Securities.
Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise
of any trust or

                                      A-7
<PAGE>

power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default
(except a default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in their interests. The Company is required to file
periodic reports with the Trustee as to the absence of default.

19.      TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

         Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the
Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept
deposits from and perform services for the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company, and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company,
as if it were not the Trustee.

20.      NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

         A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company
shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the
Securities or the Indenture nor for any claim based on, in respect of or by
reason of such obligations or their creation. The Holder of this Security by
accepting this Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issuance of this Security.

21.      AUTHENTICATION

         This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee or an authenticating
agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this
Security.

22.      ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

         Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of the Holder or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian) and UGMA (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
All terms defined in the Indenture and used in this Security but not
specifically defined herein are defined in the Indenture and are used herein as
so defined.

23.      INDENTURE TO CONTROL; GOVERNING LAW

         In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this Security and
the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control. This Security
shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
New York.

         The Company will furnish to any Holder, upon written request and
without charge, a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to: Bell
Microproducts Inc., 1941 Ringwood Avenue, San Jose, California 95131, (408)
451-9400, Attention: Jim Illson.

                                      A-8
<PAGE>

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

         To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

         I or we assign and transfer this Security to

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for him or her.

                                       Your Signature:

Date:
       ----------------------------    -----------------------------------------
                                       (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                       other side of this Security)

*Signature guaranteed by:

By:
      -----------------------------

         *    The signature must be guaranteed by an institution which is a
              member of one of the following recognized signature guaranty
              programs: (i) the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program
              (STAMP); (ii) the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MSP);
              (iii) the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP); or (iv) such
              other guaranty program acceptable to the Trustee.

                                      A-9
<PAGE>

                                CONVERSION NOTICE

         To convert this Security into Common Stock of the Company, check the
box: [ ]

         To convert only part of this Security, state the principal amount to be
converted (must be $1,000 or a integral multiple of $1,000): $____________.

         If you want Cash delivered to or the stock certificate made out in
another person's name, fill in the form below:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

                                       Your Signature:

Date:
       ---------------------------     -----------------------------------------
                                       (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                       other side of this Security)

*Signature guaranteed by:

By:
      ----------------------------

         *    The signature must be guaranteed by an institution which is a
              member of one of the following recognized signature guaranty
              programs: (i) the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program
              (STAMP); (ii) the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MSP);
              (iii) the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP); or (iv) such
              other guaranty program acceptable to the Trustee.

                                      A-10
<PAGE>

                            OPTION TO ELECT PURCHASE
                            UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL

To:      Bell Microproducts Inc.

         The undersigned registered owner of this Security hereby irrevocably
acknowledges receipt of a notice from Bell Microproducts Inc. (the "Company") as
to the occurrence of a Change in Control with respect to the Company and
requests and instructs the Company to purchase the entire principal amount of
this Security, or the portion thereof (which is $1,000 or an integral multiple
thereof) below designated, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
referred to in this Security at the Change in Control Purchase Price, together
with accrued interest to, but excluding, such date, to the registered Holder
hereof.

Dated:
      ------------------          ----------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Signature(s)

                                  Signature(s) must be guaranteed by a qualified
                                  guarantor institution with membership in an
                                  approved signature guarantee program
                                  pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities
                                  Exchange Act of 1934.

                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Signature Guaranty

Principal amount to be redeemed
(in an integral multiple of $1,000, if less than all):

-------------------------------------------

NOTICE: The signature to the foregoing Election must correspond to the name as
written upon the face of this Security in every particular, without alteration
or any change whatsoever.

                                      A-11
<PAGE>

                            OPTION TO ELECT PURCHASE
                               ON SPECIFIED DATES

To:      Bell Microproducts Inc.

         The undersigned hereby requests and instructs Bell Microproducts Inc.
to purchase the entire principal amount of this Security, or the portion thereof
(which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, on
________________ in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in
this Security at the Put Right Purchase Price to the registered Holder hereof.

Dated:
      ------------------          ----------------------------------------------
                                  Signature(s) must be guaranteed by a qualified
                                  guarantor institution with membership in an
                                  approved signature guarantee program
                                  pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities
                                  Exchange Act of 1934.

                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Signature Guaranty

Principal amount to be redeemed
(in an integral multiple of $1,000, if less than all):

-------------------------------------------

NOTICE: The signature to the foregoing Election must correspond to the name as
written upon the face of this Security in every particular, without alteration
or any change whatsoever.

                                      A-12
<PAGE>

                     SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF SECURITIES(2)

         The following exchanges, purchase, redemptions, purchases or
conversions of a part of this Global Security have been made:

<Table>
<Caption>

       DATE                  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT         AUTHORIZED         AMOUNT OF DECREASE             AMOUNT OF
    OF EXCHANGE            OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE       SIGNATORY OF               IN                     INCREASE IN
-------------------           FOLLOWING SUCH          SECURITIES          PRINCIPAL AMOUNT           PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                          DECREASE (OR INCREASE)      CUSTODIAN          OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE        OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE
                          ----------------------     ------------        -------------------        -------------------
<S>                       <C>                        <C>                 <C>                        <C>
</Table>

                                      A-13

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