CONNER PERIPHERALS INC
10-Q, 1995-11-08
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<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995

[_]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

           For the transition period from ___________ to  __________

                        Commission file number 1-10639


                           CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          DELAWARE                                         94-2968210
    (State of incorporation)                           (I.R.S. Employer
                                                      Identification No.)


                 3081 ZANKER ROAD, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA  95134
        (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)
       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (408)456-4500

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                           Yes   X          No  
                                ---            ---


As of October 27, 1995, 53,714,279 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock were
issued and outstanding.
<PAGE>
 
                           CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.

                                   FORM 10-Q

                                     INDEX


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                  PAGE
                                                                  ----
<S>      <C>                                                      <C> 
         Cover Page                                                  1
                                                                      
                                                                      
         Index                                                       2
                                                                      
                                                                      
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                        
                                                                      
Item 1.  Financial Statements                                         
                                                                      
         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -                      
         September 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994                    3
                                                                      
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of                         
         Operations - Three months and nine months                    
         ended September 30, 1995 and 1994                           4
                                                                      
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash                    
         Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1994       5 
 
         Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
         Financial Statements                                     6-10
 
Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
         Financial Condition and Results of Operations           11-19
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                          20
 
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                           20
 
         Signatures                                                 21
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                         PART I- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

                            CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (In Thousands, Except Share Data)
                                  (Unaudited)

                                     ASSETS
                                     ------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             September 30,   December 31,
                                                 1995            1994
                                                 ----            ----
<S>                                          <C>             <C>
Current assets:
  Cash, cash equivalents and short-term      $  349,450      $  443,239
   investments
  Accounts receivable, net                      418,377         307,454
  Inventory                                     265,356         255,880
  Deferred income taxes and other               170,107         163,137
                                              ---------       ---------
   Total current assets                       1,203,290       1,169,710
 
Property, plant and equipment, net              242,076         237,066
Goodwill and other intangibles, net              35,099          39,255
Other                                            10,322          15,398
                                              ---------       ---------
                                             $1,490,787      $1,461,429
                                              =========       =========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                      ------------------------------------

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                           $  259,649      $  139,559
  Accrued expenses                              181,393         190,372
  Current portion of long-term debt               3,014          34,922
                                              ---------       ---------
    Total current liabilities                   444,056         364,853
                                                                       
Long-term debt, less current portion            527,961         627,059
Deferred income taxes                           129,346         129,668
Other                                             2,298           1,525
Minority interest                                 3,411           1,648 
                                                                     
Stockholders' equity:                                                
  Preferred stock, $0.001 par value;                                 
   20,000,000 shares authorized, none 
    outstanding                                      --              -- 
  Common stock and paid-in-capital,                                     
    $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares                                
     authorized, 53,537,032 and                                          
      52,460,734 shares issued and 
       outstanding                              271,233         260,592 
  Retained earnings                             112,482          76,084 
                                              ---------       --------- 
    Total stockholders' equity                  383,715         336,676 
                                              ---------       --------- 
                                             $1,490,787      $1,461,429 
                                              =========       =========  
</TABLE>

             The accompanying notes are an integral part of these 
                        condensed financial statements

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                           CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                             Three months ended            Nine months ended
                                                September 30,                 September 30,
                                               -------------                 -------------
                                            1995           1994           1995           1994
                                            ----           ----           ----           ---- 
<S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>            <C> 
Net sales                                 $687,179      $559,504      $1,939,912     $1,773,541
Cost of sales                              581,555       458,323       1,623,025      1,402,318
                                          --------      --------      ----------     ----------
Gross profit                               105,624       101,181         316,887        371,223
                                          --------      --------      ----------     ----------
Operating expenses:                                                     
 Selling, general and administrative        46,586        43,375         153,630        140,739
 Research and development                   29,670        32,297          99,862         95,195
 Amortization of goodwill and other         
  intangibles                                2,694         3,774           7,777         11,272                             
 Unusual items                               2,817            --           2,817             --
                                          --------      --------      ----------     ----------
     Total operating expenses               81,767        79,446         264,086        247,206
                                          --------      --------      ----------     ----------
                                                                        
Income from operations                      23,857        21,735          52,801        124,017
                                                                        
Interest expense                            (8,671)      (11,496)        (29,182)       (35,863)
Other income/(expense), net                  4,820         5,033          21,496          9,540
                                          --------      --------      ----------     ----------
                                                                        
Income before income taxes and               
 extraordinary item                         20,006        15,272          45,115         97,694                            
                                                                        
Provision for income taxes                  (6,602)       (5,042)        (14,888)       (32,190)
                                          --------      --------      ----------     ----------

Income before extraordinary item            13,404        10,230          30,227         65,504
Extraordinary item:                                                     
     Gain on extinguishment of debt                                       
     (less applicable income taxes           
      of $4,288)                                --            --           6,171             --                        
                                          --------      --------      ----------     ----------
Net income                                $ 13,404      $ 10,230      $   36,398     $   65,504
                                          ========      ========      ==========     ==========  
                                                                        
Net income per share:                                                   
  Primary:                                                              
   Income before extraordinary item        $  0.25       $  0.20          $ 0.57        $  1.26
   Extraordinary item                           --            --            0.11             --
                                              ----          ----            ----           ----    
                                           $  0.25       $  0.20          $ 0.68        $  1.26
                                           =======       =======          ======        =======  
  Fully diluted:                                                        
   Income before extraordinary item        $  0.25       $  0.20          $ 0.56        $  1.10
   Extraordinary item                           --            --            0.11             --
                                              ----          ----            ----           ----                            
                                           $  0.25       $  0.20          $ 0.67        $  1.10
                                           =======       =======          ======        =======  
Weighted average shares:                                                
   Primary                                  54,240        52,209          53,471         52,175
                                           =======       =======          ======        =======  
   Fully diluted                            74,871        52,209          54,365         74,489
                                           =======       =======          ======        =======  
</TABLE>

             The accompanying notes are an integral part of these 
                        condensed financial statements

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                            CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In Thousands)
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Nine months ended
                                                            September 30,
                                                            ------------
                                                        1995            1994
                                                        ----            ----
<S>                                                <C>             <C> 
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                      $    36,398       $  65,504
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
   net cash provided by/(used in) 
   operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                      69,994          67,170
     Unusual items                                       2,817              --
     Gain from sale of  building                        (6,098)             --
     Extraordinary item, net                            (6,171)             --
     Minority interest and other                         2,536           4,063
Changes in assets and liabilities:
   Accounts receivable, net                           (110,923)         38,709
   Inventory                                            (9,476)       (122,033)
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses               105,723         (47,472)
   Other                                               (29,078)        (16,007)
                                                   -----------       ---------  
     Cash provided by/(used in)                         
      operating activities                              55,722         (10,066)
                                                   -----------       ---------  
Cash flows from investing activities:                           
  Proceeds from Read Rite stock sale                    18,664              --
  Proceeds from note receivable                         10,807              --
  Proceeds from sale of capital assets                  31,996              --
  Capital expenditures                                 (95,736)        (69,442)
  Purchases of investments held to maturity           (100,053)       (197,877)
  Purchases of investments available for sale       (1,016,845)       (143,886) 
  Maturity of investments held to maturity             197,738         277,558 
  Sale of investments available for sale               974,719         190,013
  Business acquisitions                                 (7,500)         (8,500)
                                                   -----------       ---------  
     Cash provided by investing activities              13,790          47,866
                                                   -----------       ---------  
                                                                 
Cash flows from financing activities:                           
  Repayments of long-term debt                        (118,383)        (40,755)
  Issuance of common stock                              10,641          11,883
                                                   -----------       ---------  
     Cash used in financing activities                (107,742)        (28,872)
                                                   -----------       ---------  

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and                     
 cash equivalents                                      (38,230)          8,928
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning                
 of the period                                         202,386         197,499 
                                                   -----------       ---------  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period         164,156         206,427
Short-term investments                                 185,294         194,240
                                                   -----------       ---------  
Total cash and short-term investments              $   349,450       $ 400,667
                                                   ===========       =========
</TABLE>

            The  accompanying notes are an integral part of these 
                        condensed financial statements

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                           CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.
        NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
- ------------------------------

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the
three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1994, have been
prepared on substantially the same basis as the annual consolidated financial
statements.  In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements reflect all material adjustments, consisting of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
position, operating results and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for
the year ended December 31, 1994, included in the Company's 1994 Annual Report
on Form 10-K.

NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES
- --------------------

Inventories consisted of the following components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       September 30,     December 31,  
                                               1995             1994     
                                               ----             ----
                                                  (In Thousands)          
                                                                       
           <S>                         <C>               <C>                
           Purchased components            $113,893         $ 86,970      
           Work-in-process                   76,979           72,692      
           Finished goods                    74,484           96,218      
                                            -------          -------
                                           $265,356         $255,880       
                                            =======          =======
</TABLE>

NOTE 3 - ACQUISITIONS AND PENDING MERGER
- ----------------------------------------

In August 1995, Arcada Software, Inc. (Arcada), a majority-owned subsidiary of
the Company, acquired the assets of Sytron Corporation, a subsidiary of REXON,
Inc., for $4,500,000 in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. In
connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $2,817,000 to write-off
in-process research and development to Unusual Items for the three and nine-
month periods ended September 30, 1995. The acquisition was accounted for as a
purchase and did not have a material impact on the Company's financial 
condition or results of operations.

                                       6
<PAGE>

On September 20, 1995, the Company and Seagate Technology, Inc. (Seagate), a
Delaware corporation, announced negotiations concerning the possible business
combination of the two companies. On October 3, 1995, the Company entered into
an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (Reorganization Agreement) with Seagate
and Athena Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Seagate (Sub), pursuant to which Sub will merge with and into the
Company (Merger).  As a result of the Merger, each outstanding share of the
Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (Company Common Stock), will
be converted into 0.442 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
Seagate. The Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, approval by
shareholders of the Company and by shareholders of Seagate, the effectiveness of
Seagates registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the expiration of any waiting period applicable to the
Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the
approval of certain foreign governmental entities.  The Merger will be accounted
for as a pooling of interests.

As a condition to the Reorganization Agreement, the Company and Seagate on
October 3, 1995, entered into a Stock Option Agreement between the Company, as
issuer, and Seagate, as grantee, (Company Option Agreement), pursuant to which
the Company granted Seagate the right, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth therein, to purchase up to 8,015,420 of the outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock (equivalent to approximately 15% of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock) at a price of $17.90 per share.  The
rights granted to Seagate in the Company Option Agreement become exercisable in
the event a third party acquires 20% of the outstanding Company Common Stock, or
commences a tender offer or exchange offer (or enters into an agreement to make
such a tender offer or exchange offer) for at least 20% of the outstanding
Company Common Stock, or the Company enters into a written definitive agreement
or written agreement in principle with a third party in connection with a
liquidation, dissolution, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or acquisition
or purchase of all or a material portion of the assets or the equity interest in
the Company.

Copies of the Reorganization Agreement and the Company Option Agreement have
been filed as exhibits to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated October
19, 1995.

In February 1995, the Company purchased additional shares from a minority 
stockholder for $3,000,000.

NOTE 4 - WARRANTY EXPENSE
- -------------------------

The Company provides for the estimated cost which may be incurred under its
various product warranties upon product shipment.  During the three and nine-
month periods ended September 30, 1995, the Company lowered  its estimate of its
future disk drive warranty costs by $5,000,000 and $12,600,000, respectively, as
a benefit to cost of sales due to cost saving opportunities resulting from the
Company's relocation of its disk drive service center from Singapore to a lower
cost structure in Malaysia and lower required warranty reserves due to favorable
warranty returns experience.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
NOTE 5 - RESTRUCTURING
- ----------------------

There have been no significant changes to the Company's estimate of the total
cost of restructuring subsequent to December 31, 1994.  During the nine-month
period  ended September 30, 1995, the restructuring reserves decreased by
$1,609,000 primarily due to  employee severance and benefit payments and
noncancellable rent costs of excess facilities.  This decrease represented
approximately $1,360,000 and $249,000 of cash and non-cash charges,
respectively.

NOTE 6 - REDUCTION OF DEBT AND EXTRAORDINARY ITEM
- -------------------------------------------------

During the  nine-month period ended September 30, 1995, the Company purchased at
a discount, certain of its 6.5% and 6.75% Convertible Subordinated Debentures
with a face value of $56,102,000. The Company also prepaid and retired the
remaining $41,666,000 of its outstanding Series A and Series B Senior Notes with
a prepayment fee of $1,100,000.  As a result of these transactions, the Company
recorded a net extraordinary gain for the period of $6,171,000 (less applicable
income taxes of $4,288,000) or $0.11 per share on a fully diluted basis.

NOTE 7 - OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSE), NET
- ------------------------------------

Other income/(expense), net consisted of the following components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                    Three months ended         Nine months ended  
                                       September 30,             September 30,    
                                       -------------             ------------    
                                    1995           1994        1995         1994  
                                    ----           ----        ----         ---- 
                                       (In Thousands)           (In Thousands)   
                                                                                  
<S>                                 <C>                        <C>                
Interest income                   $5,302        $ 4,036     $17,233      $11,989  
Gain on sale of building              --             --       6,098           --  
Minority interest                   (289)           614      (1,763)       2,651  
Other                               (193)           383         (72)      (5,100) 
                                  ------        -------     -------      ------- 
                                  $4,820        $ 5,033     $21,496      $ 9,540 
                                  ======        =======     =======      =======  
</TABLE> 
 
NOTE  8 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURE
- -------------------------------------------

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                    Nine months ended
                                                     September 30,
                                                     -------------
                                                  1995            1994
                                                  ----            ----
                                                     (In Thousands)
                                                   
     <S>                                        <C>             <C>   
     Cash paid during the period for:              
          Interest                              $40,971         $48,456
          Income taxes                          $15,215         $ 4,016
</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
NOTE  9 - LITIGATION
- --------------------

The Company and certain of its officers and directors are defendants in a
securities class action lawsuit that purports to represent a class of investors
who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's common stock between January
1992 and May 1993.  Certain officers and directors are also defendants in a
related stockholders derivative suit.  The complaints seek unspecified damages
and other relief.  The Company intends to defend the actions vigorously.

In 1993, the Company was served with a patent infringement complaint, filed by
IBM, alleging that products manufactured by the Company have infringed certain
patents owned by IBM.  In addition, the complaint sought declaratory relief to
the effect that disk drives produced by IBM did not infringe certain patents
held by the Company and sought to have such patents declared invalid.  The
Company answered the complaint, denying all material allegations and
counterclaiming that IBM disk drives infringe certain patents owned by the
Company, including those patents contained in the IBM complaint.

During the first quarter of 1995, the Company received a newly issued patent
concerning various aspects of the power management features incorporated in the
Company's disk drives.  Promptly following the issuance of the patent, the
Company filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission
alleging that various disk drives produced by IBM infringe the new power
management patent, and seeking an exclusion order concerning IBM products
incorporating these infringing drives.  The Company filed a lawsuit in Federal
Court, Southern District of New York, seeking damages and injunctive relief
related to the infringement of the power management patent.

In late July 1995, the Company and IBM agreed to dismiss all of the litigation
against each other and entered into patent cross license agreements. The Company
and IBM also established a five year commercial relationship, whereby, IBM may
buy the Company's products. The outcome of the litigation settlement did not
have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
position.

In December 1994, the Internal Revenue Service concluded a field audit of the
Company's federal income tax returns for the fiscal years 1989 and 1990 and
issued to the Company a  "Notice of Deficiency"  (Notice) with respect to those
fiscal years.  The majority of the proposed adjustments to income in the Notice
related to the allocation of income between the Company and its foreign
manufacturing subsidiaries.  The Notice resulted in proposed tax deficiencies of
approximately $43,000,000 and assessed interest.  On March 20, 1995, the Company
filed a Petition in the United States Tax Court entitled Conner Peripherals,
Inc. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Docket No. 4322-95.  The Company
believes that the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In 1992, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Western Digital
Corporation (Western Digital) alleging the infringement of five of the Company's
patents by Western Digital.   Western Digital has filed a counterclaim alleging
infringement of certain of its patents by the Company.   The Company believes it
has valid claims against Western Digital and meritorious defenses to the claims
asserted by Western Digital.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
NOTE  10 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
- ----------------------------

On October 30, 1995, the Company re-negotiated the terms of its $100 million
revolving credit facility agreement (Agreement) with certain banks.  Borrowings
under the Agreement continue to carry interest at the banks prime rate or, at
the option of the Company, at an interbank offered rate with a fixed spread. The
Agreement continues to prohibit the Company from payment of cash dividends,
requires the maintenance of various financial covenants and requires the payment
of commitment fees and other costs.  In addition, the Company continues to be
prohibited from incurring debt and lease commitments in excess of specified
amounts or entering into an acquisition, sale of business, merger or joint
venture agreement in excess of certain amounts without the prior consent of the
banks.  The banks granted a waiver permitting the Company to enter into the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization with Seagate and Sub, pursuant to which Sub
will merge with and into the Company  as discussed in Note 3 - Acquisitions and
Pending Merger. However, upon consummation of the Merger this credit facility
will terminate and  any outstanding balance will be required to be repaid. This
credit facility expires on October 28, 1996.

On October 26, 1995, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, CDD Conner Mexico
S.A. de C.V. (CDD), purchased the assets of Stormex, S.A. de C.V. (Stormex),
located in Mexicali, Mexico, and certain assets of Computer Memory Disk
Corporation (CMD), based in San Jose, California and Eugene, Oregon for
approximately $21,200,000 in cash and certain future royalty payments  not to
exceed $3,000,000.  Both Stormex and CMD are wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Furukawa Electric North America.  The acquisition is being accounted for as a
purchase.  Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, CDD has assumed ownership
of the assets of two Stormex substrate processing factories in Mexicali and
associated intellectual property and manufacturing processes.

NOTE 11 - PRESENTATION
- ----------------------

Certain prior year interim and year end financial statement balances have been
reclassified to conform to the 1995 presentation.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
          Results of Operations


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------

The following table sets forth certain income statement data for the quarters
ended September 30, 1995 and 1994 and June 30, 1995, as a percentage of net
sales in these periods.  This data has been derived from the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   Three months ended
                                          September 30,              June 30,
                                          ------------               -------
                                          1995     1994                1995
                                          ----     ----                ---- 
 
<S>                                       <C>      <C>               <C> 
Net sales                                 100.0%   100.0%             100.0%
Cost of sales                              84.6     81.9               81.4
                                           ----     ----               ---- 
Gross profit                               15.4     18.1               18.6
                                           ----     ----               ----
 
Operating expenses:
    Selling, general and administrative     6.8      7.7                8.7
    Research and development                4.3      5.8                5.1
    Amortization of goodwill                                               
        and other intangibles               0.4      0.7                0.4 
    Unusual items                           0.4       --                 --
                                            ---      ---                ---  
 
Income from operations                      3.5      3.9                4.4
Income taxes and other                      1.5      2.1                1.8
                                            ---      ---                ---
Income before extraordinary item            2.0      1.8                2.6
Extraordinary item                           --       --                0.3
                                            ---      ---                ---
 
Net income                                  2.0%     1.8%               2.9%
                                            ===      ===                ===
</TABLE>

ACQUISITIONS AND PENDING MERGER
- -------------------------------

On October 26, 1995, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, CDD Conner Mexico
S.A. de C.V. (CDD),  purchased the assets of Stormex, S.A. de C.V. (Stormex),
located in Mexicali, Mexico, and certain assets of Computer Memory Disk
Corporation (CMD), based in San Jose, California and Eugene, Oregon for $21.2
million in cash and certain future royalty payments not to exceed $3.0 million.
Both Stormex and CMD are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Furukawa Electric North
America.  The acquisition is being accounted for as a purchase.  Pursuant to the
asset purchase agreement, CDD has assumed ownership of the assets of two Stormex
substrate processing factories in Mexicali and associated intellectual property
and manufacturing processes.  This acquisition is intended to help supply the
Company with aluminum substrates for the Company's disk media manufacturing
operations.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
On September 20, 1995, the Company and Seagate Technology, Inc. (Seagate), a
Delaware corporation, announced negotiations concerning the possible business
combination of the two companies. On October 3, 1995, the Company entered into
an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (Reorganization Agreement) with Seagate
and Athena Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Seagate (Sub), pursuant to which Sub will merge with and into the
Company (Merger).  As a result of the Merger, each outstanding share of the
Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (Company Common Stock), will
be converted into 0.442 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
Seagate. The Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, approval by
shareholders of the Company and by shareholders of Seagate, the effectiveness of
Seagates registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the expiration of any waiting period applicable to the
Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the
approval of certain foreign governmental entities.  The Merger will be accounted
for as a pooling of interests.

As a condition to the Reorganization Agreement, the Company and Seagate on
October 3, 1995, entered into a Stock Option Agreement between the Company, as
issuer, and Seagate, as grantee, (Company Option Agreement), pursuant to which
the Company granted Seagate the right, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth therein, to purchase up to 8,015,420 of the outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock (equivalent to approximately 15% of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock) at a price of $17.90 per share.  The
rights granted to Seagate in the Company Option Agreement become exercisable in
the event a third party acquires 20% of the outstanding Company Common Stock, or
commences a tender offer or exchange offer (or enters into an agreement to make
such a tender offer or exchange offer) for at least 20% of the outstanding
Company Common Stock, or the Company enters into a written definitive agreement
or written agreement in principle with a third party in connection with a
liquidation, dissolution, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or acquisition
or purchase of all or a material portion of the assets or the equity interest in
the Company.

Copies of the Reorganization Agreement and the Company Option Agreement have
been filed as exhibits to the Company's current report on Form 8-K dated October
19, 1995.

In August 1995, Arcada Software, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of the
Company, acquired the assets of Sytron Corporation, a subsidiary of REXON, Inc.,
for $4.5 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. In
connection with the acquisition, the Company charged $2.8 million to write-off
in-process research and development during the third quarter of 1995. The
acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and did not have a material impact
on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

NET SALES
- ---------

Net sales for the third quarter of 1995 were $687.2 million, an increase of
22.8% from the same quarter of 1994 and an increase of 7.0% from the second
quarter of 1995. The increase in net sales over the third quarter of 1994
resulted primarily from record level unit volume shipments of disk drive
products and DAT (Digital Audio Tape) tape drive products and higher disk and
tape drive weighted average unit prices, partially attributable to a more
favorable product mix.  In addition, sales of disk media to third-party
customers and an increase in software revenue during the third quarter
of 1995 also contributed to the increase in sales.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
The increase in net sales over the second quarter of 1995 resulted primarily
from higher unit volume shipments of disk and tape drive products and a richer
mix of shipments towards higher capacity, higher priced disk drive products
offset partially by lower tape drive average unit prices and continuing declines
in disk drive average unit prices.

Sales to Compaq Computer represented 10.3% of net sales during the third quarter
of 1995 compared to 13.7% for the same quarter of 1994.  No other customer
represented more than 10% of net sales during these periods and during the
second quarter of 1995. The following table summarizes the net sales percentages
between OEM and distributor customers and foreign and domestic customers.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Three months ended
                            September 30,      June 30,
                            --------------     ---------
                         1995           1994      1995
                         ----           ----      ----
<S>                     <C>             <C>       <C>
OEM                       81%            74%        76%
Distributor               19             26         24
                        ----           ----       ----
Total                    100%           100%       100%
                        ====           ====       ====
                                   
Foreign                   43%            49%        49%
Domestic                  57             51         51
                        ----           ----       ----
Total                    100%           100%       100%
                        ====           ====       ====
</TABLE>

The increase in OEM revenue during the third quarter of 1995 as compared to the
same quarter in 1994 and the second quarter of 1995 is primarily due to
increased revenue from large corporate OEM customers consistent with the
Company's efforts to recapture lost market share from these customers.  The
decrease in foreign revenue in the third quarter of 1995 as compared to the
third quarter of 1994 and the second quarter of 1995 is due to higher sales
volumes to domestic customers and lower sales volumes to customers located in
Asia partially offset by an increase in European sales. The increase in sales
from European customers is due primarily to the sales and marketing
reorganization by the Company to increase European sales.  The reduction in
Asian sales is due primarily to continued  demand from Asian customers for disk
drive products with capacities of 540 megabytes and less as compared to the
Company's migration towards higher capacity disk drive products with capacities
greater than 540 megabytes.

During 1995, the Company implemented a program designed to ensure the timely
introduction of disk drive products and to address new design-in opportunities
with major OEM customers.  In addition, the Company introduced several new
products intended to meet the needs of these major OEM customers and recapture
lost market share.  While the Company has made progress through the adoption of
certain of the Company's high-capacity desktop and high-performance disk drives
by major OEM customers, there can be no assurance that the Company's efforts to
regain its position with major OEM customers will be successful or that
continued improvement in sales to such customers will occur in subsequent
quarters.  The Company believes that an increase in sales to major OEM customers
is important to the Company's long-term competitive position.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
As is common in the microcomputer industry, the Company's shipment patterns
during a quarter are frequently characterized by significantly higher shipment
volume in the third month of the quarter than that experienced in the first two
months of the quarter.   This pattern often makes quarterly results difficult to
predict.  Furthermore, order lead-times have been reduced by many of the
Company's customers.  This trend which is expected to continue, has impacted the
visibility of future orders and, accordingly, has also affected the
predictability of financial results. During the first quarter of 1995, the
Company experienced shipment delays for certain disk drive products introduced
during the first quarter of 1995 and the fourth quarter of 1994 due to certain
technical issues and shortages of key components as certain vendors were unable
to meet volume production of several new disk drive products. The Company
generally resolved the product technical issues but experienced a continued
shortage of certain key components during the second and third quarters of 1995.
No assurance can be given that these events will not recur in future quarters.

Consistent with the second quarter of 1995, demand for certain of the Company's
new disk drive products exceeded availability during the third quarter of 1995.
These products were available to customers on an allocation basis. This
situation appears to be continuing for a number  of the Company's desktop disk
drive products as the Company enters the fourth quarter of 1995.  However, there
can be no assurance that these trends will or will not continue throughout the
fourth quarter or into future periods.

GROSS PROFIT
- ------------

The Company's gross profit  as a percentage of net sales (gross margin) for the
third quarter of 1995 was 15.4% compared to 18.1% for the same quarter of 1994
and 18.6% for the second quarter of 1995.  The decrease in gross margin compared
to the same quarter of 1994 is largely due to lower average unit prices for disk
drive products in volume manufacturing not offset by similar reductions in unit
material costs, as a result of a continued imbalance in supply and demand of key
components.  In addition, declines in gross margins for certain DC2000 tape
drive products also contributed to the lower overall gross margin due to severe
price competition and certain promotional incentives.  This decline was
partially offset by the reduction of warranty reserves totaling $5.0 million
during the third quarter of 1995 resulting from favorable warranty returns
experience. Sales of disk media to third-party customers and a growing software
business, which carry higher than average gross margins, had a positive impact
on the Company's overall gross margin.

The decrease in gross margin as compared to the second quarter of 1995 was
primarily due to lower disk and tape drive gross margins.  In relation to disk
drive products, this decrease was primarily attributable to lower average unit
prices and higher material costs as discussed above.  This decrease, as it
relates to tape drive products, was primarily attributable to lower than average
gross margins for certain DC2000 products resulting from severe price
competition and promotional incentives. Higher gross margins from DAT products
partially offset this decline in the DC2000 products.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
The demand for the Company's disk drives depends principally on demand for
desktop and high-performance microcomputers manufactured by its customers.  A
slowdown in demand for such computers, reduction in demand from significant OEM
customers or continued price erosion in this intensely competitive industry may
have an exaggerated effect on the demand for the Company's products and/or
profitability in any given period.  In addition, the disk drive industry has
been characterized by periods of excess manufacturing capacity contributing to
higher inventory levels and severe price erosion resulting in lower gross
margins. While current demand for the Company's products remains strong, there
can be no assurance that this trend will recur and that gross margins will
recover to historical levels.  The Company anticipates that pricing and gross
margin pressures will continue as the industry migrates rapidly to higher
storage capacity products for entry level systems. In addition, competition in
the tape drive industry continues to be aggressive, placing pressure on pricing
and gross margins of tape drive products.

The Company launched several new disk and tape drive products during 1995 and
anticipates the launch of additional products during the remainder of 1995 and
the first half of 1996.  The failure of the Company to successfully launch or
achieve required production volumes at anticipated costs for one or more of the
new products could have a material adverse effect on the Company's revenues,
profitability and competitive position.  As is common in periods of product
transition, the Company has experienced certain technical difficulties and
delays in achieving volume production of certain products during 1995. The
Company has generally resolved these issues and has launched these products into
volume manufacturing. In addition, shortages of certain key disk drive
components during 1995 has inhibited the Company's ability to satisfy customer
demand.  There can be no assurance that the Company will not experience such
difficulties during the remainder of 1995 and into the first half of 1996.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
- -----------------------------------

The Company's selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) for the third
quarter of 1995 were $46.6 million, or 6.8% of sales, compared to $43.4 million,
or 7.7% of sales, for the same quarter of 1994 and $56.0 million, or 8.7% of
sales, for the second quarter of 1995.  The increase in SG&A in absolute dollars
for the third quarter of 1995 as compared to the prior year quarter is primarily
due to an increase in sales and marketing efforts within most product groups,
headcount increases and a larger international sales force to support a growing
European market.  This was partially offset by reductions in legal expenses and
other cost reductions. The decrease in SG&A compared to the second quarter was
due primarily to the absence of profit sharing and other cost reductions in the
third quarter of 1995.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- ------------------------

The Company's investment in research and development (R&D) for the third quarter
of 1995 was $29.7 million, or 4.3% of sales compared to $32.3 million, or 5.8%
of sales for the same quarter of 1994 and $32.8 million, or 5.1% of sales, for
the second quarter of 1994.  The decrease in R&D expenses for the third quarter
of 1995 as compared to the same quarter of 1994 and second quarter of 1995 is
due primarily to certain departmental reclassifications between R&D and
manufacturing and fewer new product launches.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
Due to the timing of new R&D programs and the release of new products into
volume manufacturing, the level of R&D spending may vary from quarter to quarter
in absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales. As product life cycles have
shortened and the need to rapidly introduce new products has become essential,
the Company has increased its focus on new product launch activities.  The
Company believes this investment has improved the efficiency and effectiveness
of its new product launch operations. The level of R&D spending reflects
management's belief that such spending is essential in order for the Company to
regularly and predictably introduce new products and remain competitive.

AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
- ----------------------------------------------

The Company's amortization of goodwill and other intangibles was $2.7 million in
the third  quarter of 1995 compared to $3.8 million for the same quarter of 1994
while remaining relatively flat compared to $2.5 million for the second quarter
of 1995.  Amortization decreased from the third quarter of 1994 primarily as a
result of reduced intangible asset balances. Goodwill and other intangibles are
being amortized over their remaining estimated useful lives ranging from 1 to 8
years.

UNUSUAL ITEMS
- -------------

The Company's unusual item charge of $2.8 million for the third quarter of 1995
represents the write-off of in-process research and development resulting from
the acquisition of Sytron Corporation by the Company's majority-owned
subsidiary, Arcada Software, Inc. in August 1995.

There have been no significant changes in the Company's estimate of the total
cost of restructuring subsequent to December 31, 1994. During the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1995, the restructuring reserves decreased by $1.6
million primarily due to  employee severance and benefit payments and
noncancellable rent costs of excess facilities. This decrease represented
approximately $1.4 million and $0.2 million of cash and non-cash charges,
respectively.

INTEREST EXPENSE, OTHER INCOME/EXPENSE
- --------------------------------------

Interest expense was $8.7 million for the third quarter of 1995 compared to
$11.5 million for the same quarter of 1994 and $9.0 million for the second
quarter of 1995.  Interest expense declined as compared to the same quarter of
1994 and the second quarter of 1995 due to the Company's early retirement of its
Senior Notes and a portion of its Convertible Subordinated Debentures during the
first and second quarters of 1995.

Other income/expense was a net gain of $4.8 million for the third quarter of
1995, which was relatively consistent when compared to the net gain of $5.0
million for the same quarter of 1994, and a net gain of $5.8 million for the
second quarter of 1995.  The decrease in the net gain for the third quarter of
1995 as compared to the second quarter of 1995 is due primarily to higher
foreign exchange losses during the third quarter of 1995.  However, the overall
foreign exchange gains and losses continue to have an immaterial impact on the
Company's results of operations.

                                       16
<PAGE>

INCOME TAXES
- ------------
 
The Company's effective tax rate for the second and third quarters of 1995 was
approximately 33%, excluding the impact of the extraordinary items recorded
during the first and second quarters which were recorded at the rate of 41%.

EXTRAORDINARY ITEM
- ------------------

During the first and second quarters of 1995, the Company purchased at a
discount certain of its 6.5% and 6.75% Convertible Subordinated Debentures with
a face value of $56.1 million. The Company also prepaid and retired the
remaining $41.7 million of its outstanding Series A and Series B Senior Notes
with a prepayment fee of $1.1 million.  As a result of these transactions, the
Company recorded a net extraordinary gain for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1995 of $6,171,000 (less applicable income taxes of $4,288,000) or
$0.11 per share on a fully diluted basis.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------

At September 30, 1995, the Company's principal sources of liquidity consisted of
cash and short-term investments of $349.5 million and a combined $100 million
revolving credit facility agreement (Agreement) with several banks which is
subject to the continued maintenance of certain covenants. The Company had no
borrowings outstanding under this credit facility as of September 30, 1995.

On October 30, 1995, the Company re-negotiated the terms of its $100 million
revolving credit facility agreement (Agreement) with certain banks.  The terms
of the Agreement prohibit or limit certain transactions without the prior
consent of the banks and require the maintenance of various covenants. This
credit facility expires on October 28, 1996. As of September 30, 1995, the
Company had outstanding letters of credit and guarantees of approximately $48.6
million.

Cash provided by operating activities was approximately $55.7 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1995 compared to cash used in operating
activities of $10.1 million for the same period in 1994.   This increase was
primarily attributable to an increase in accounts payable and other accrued
expenses and a decrease in inventory partially offset by an increase in accounts
receivable.

Capital expenditures for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995,
amounted to $95.7 million.  These expenditures primarily related to the purchase
of manufacturing and R&D equipment for the Company's operations, upgrades in
computer equipment and the expansion of the Companys disk media manufacturing
capacity. The Company is expanding the disk media manufacturing operation into
Singapore.  This expansion  is scheduled to begin production during the first
half of 1996. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995, the capital
expenditures related to this expansion have approximated $20.2 million. The
Company plans to spend approximately $55.0 million on additional capital
expenditures during the remainder of 1995.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995, the Company's cash
expenditures to retire its Debentures in the open market and normal repayments
of long-term debt were $118.4 million.  The Company received $32.0 million in
cash proceeds during the period for the sale of a manufacturing building located
in Singapore and other capital assets. In addition, $29.5 million was received
from proceeds from the sale of Read-Rite stock and notes receivable. The
acquisition of Sytron Corporation during the period included a cash payment of
$4.5 million and the acquisition of certain assets of Stormex, S.A. de C.V. and
Computer Memory Corporation subsequent to the nine-month period ended September
30, 1995 included a cash payment of $21.2 million. The Company believes that
current capital resources and cash generated from operations will be sufficient
to meet its liquidity and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable
future.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS
- ----------------------

The Company's cash flows are substantially U.S. dollar denominated. However, the
Company is exposed to certain foreign currency fluctuations, primarily British
Pound Sterling, Malaysian Ringgit, Italian Lira, Singapore Dollars and Japanese
Yen. At September 30, 1995, the Company had outstanding foreign currency forward
contracts and foreign currency purchase option contracts aggregating
approximately $68.1 million and $12.0 million, respectively.  These contracts
mature at various periods through December 1995 and are consistent with the
amounts and timing of the Company's underlying cash flow requirements and
purchase commitments.

LITIGATION
- ----------

The Company and certain of its officers and directors are defendants in a
securities class action lawsuit that purports to represent a class of investors
who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's common stock between January
1992 and May 1993.  Certain officers and directors are also defendants in a
related stockholders derivative suit.  The complaints seek unspecified damages
and other relief.  The Company intends to defend the actions vigorously.

In 1993, the Company was served with a patent infringement complaint, filed by
IBM, alleging that products manufactured by the Company have infringed certain
patents owned by IBM.  In addition, the complaint sought declaratory relief to
the effect that disk drives produced by IBM did not infringe certain patents
held by the Company and sought to have such patents declared invalid. The
Company answered the complaint, denying all material allegations and
counterclaiming that IBM disk drives infringe certain patents owned by the
Company, including those patents contained in the IBM complaint.

During the first quarter of 1995, the Company received a newly issued patent
concerning various aspects of the power management features incorporated in the
Company's disk drives.  Promptly following the issuance of the patent, the
Company filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission
alleging that various disk drives produced by IBM infringe the new power
management patent, and seeking an exclusion order concerning IBM products
incorporating these infringing drives.  The Company filed a lawsuit in Federal
Court, Southern District of New York, seeking damages and injunctive relief
related to the infringement of the power management patent.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
In late July 1995, the Company and IBM agreed to dismiss all of the litigation
against each other and entered into patent cross license agreements.  The
Company and IBM also established a five year commercial relationship, whereby,
IBM may buy the Companys products.  The outcome of the litigation settlement did
not have an adverse effect on the Companys results of operations or financial
position.

In December 1994, the Internal Revenue Service concluded a field audit of the
Companys federal income tax returns for the fiscal years 1989 and 1990 and
issued to the Company a "Notice of Deficiency" (Notice) with respect to those
fiscal years.  The majority of the proposed adjustments to income in the Notice
related to the allocation of income between the Company and its foreign
manufacturing subsidiaries.  The Notice resulted in proposed tax deficiencies of
approximately $43 million and assessed interest.  On March 20, 1995, the Company
filed a Petition in the United States Tax Court entitled Conner Peripherals,
Inc. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Docket No. 4322-95.  The Company
believes that the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In 1992, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Western Digital
Corporation (Western Digital) alleging the infringement of five of the Company's
patents by Western Digital.  Western Digital has filed a counterclaim alleging
infringement of certain of its patents by the Company.  The Company believes it
has valid claims against Western Digital and meritorious defenses to the claims
asserted by Western Digital.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
                          PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                          ---------------------------

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

Reference is made to Note 9 of notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 
(a)    Exhibits
 
       2.1   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of October 3, 1995
             among the Registrant, Seagate Technology, Inc. and Athena
             Acquisition Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1
             to the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K dated October
             19, 1995)
  
       2.2   Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 3, 1995 by and between
             the Registrant and Seagate Technology, Inc. (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's current report on Form
             8-K dated October 19, 1995)
              
       10.1  Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995 among Registrant and
             Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent,
             and the other financial institutions which are parties thereto
  
       11.1  Statement Regarding Computation of Earnings Per Share

       27.0  Article 5 of Regulation S-X - Financial Data Schedule



(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

      No reports on Form 8-K were filed on behalf of Registrant during the
      quarter ended September 30, 1995. A report on Form 8-K was filed by the
      Registrant on October 19, 1995.


 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                            CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.
                                            (Registrant)


Date:  November 8, 1995                     /s/ P. Jackson Bell
      -----------------                     -------------------
                                            P. Jackson Bell
                                            Executive Vice President and
                                            Chief Financial Officer
                                            (Principal Financial and 
                                            Accounting Officer)

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
                            CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
 Number             Description
- ------              -----------------------

<S>                 <C>                               
2.1                 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of October 3,
                    1995 among the Registrant, Seagate Technology, Inc. and
                    Athena Acquisition Corporation (incorporated by reference to
                    Exhibit 1 to the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K
                    dated October 19, 1995)

2.2                 Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 3, 1995 by and
                    between the Registrant and Seagate Technology, Inc.
                    (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's
                    current report on Form 8-K dated October 19, 1995)

10.1                Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995 among
                    Registrant and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
                    Association, as Agent, and the other financial institutions
                    which are parties thereto

11.1                Statement Regarding Computation of Earnings Per Share

27.0                Article 5 of Regulation S-X - Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE> 

                                       22

<PAGE>
 
================================================================================



                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         DATED AS OF OCTOBER 30, 1995
                                     AMONG


                           CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.,



                        BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                            AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION
                                   AS AGENT

                                      AND


                 THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO


                                  ARRANGED BY


                              BA SECURITIES, INC.



================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section                                                               Page
<S>                                                                   <C> 
                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS........................   1

1.01..  Certain Defined Terms........................................   1
1.02..  Other Interpretive Provisions................................  19
1.03..  Accounting Principles........................................  20
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                                                    <C>  
                                  ARTICLE II
                                 THE CREDITS.........................  20
2.01  Amounts and Terms of Commitments...............................  20
2.02  Loan Accounts..................................................  20
2.03  Procedure for Borrowing........................................  21
2.04  Conversion and Continuation Elections..........................  22
2.05  Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments..............  23
2.06  Optional Prepayments...........................................  23
2.07  Mandatory Prepayments..........................................  23
2.08  Repayment......................................................  24
2.09  Interest.......................................................  24
2.10  Fees...........................................................  24
          (a)  Arrangement, Agency Fees .............................  24
          (b)  Commitment Fees.......................................  25
          (c)  Closing Fees..........................................  25
2.11  Computation of Fees and Interest...............................  25
2.12  Payments by the Company........................................  25
2.13  Payments by the Banks to the Agent.............................  26
2.14  Sharing of Payments, Etc.......................................  27
2.15  Extension of Termination Date..................................  27
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                                                    <C>  
                                  ARTICLE III
                  TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY.............  27
3.01  Taxes..........................................................  27
3.02  Illegality.....................................................  29
3.03  Increased Costs and Reduction of Return........................  30
3.04  Funding Losses.................................................  31
3.05  Inability to Determine Rates...................................  31
3.06  Certificates of Banks..........................................  32
3.07  Survival.......................................................  32
3.08  Replacement....................................................  32
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
Section                                                               Page
<S>                                                                   <C> 

                                  ARTICLE IV
                          CONDITIONS PRECEDENT........................  32

4.01  Conditions of Effectiveness.....................................  32
         (a)  Credit Agreement........................................  32
         (b)  Resolutions; Incumbency.................................  32 
         (c)  Organization Documents; Good Standing...................  33 
         (d)  Legal Opinions..........................................  33
         (e)  Payment of Fees.........................................  33   
         (f)  Certificate.............................................  33   
         (g)  Financial Statements....................................  33
         (h)  Certified Documents.....................................  33
         (i)  Termination of Existing Facility Commitments............  34
         (j)  Disclosure Letter.......................................  34 
         (k)  Other Documents.........................................  34   
4.02  Conditions to All Borrowings ...................................  34
         (a)  Notice of Borrowing.....................................  34
         (b)  Continuation of Representations and Warranties..........  34
         (c)  Subordinated Debt Notices...............................  34
         (d)  No Material Adverse Effect .............................  34
         (e)  No Noncompliance Event..................................  34


                                   ARTICLE V
                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................  35 

5.01  Corporate Existence and Power...................................  35 
5.02  Corporate Authorization; No Contravention.......................  35 
5.03  Governmental Authorization......................................  35 
5.04  Binding Effect..................................................  36 
5.05  Litigation......................................................  36 
5.06  No Noncompliance Event..........................................  36 
5.07  ERISA Compliance................................................  36 
5.08  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.............................  37 
5.09  Title to Properties.............................................  37 
5.10  Taxes...........................................................  37 
5.11  Financial Condition.............................................  38 
5.12  Environmental Matters...........................................  38 
5.13  Regulated Entities..............................................  39 
5.14  No Burdensome Restrictions......................................  39 
5.15  Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, Etc...............  39 
5.16  Subsidiaries; Business Operations...............................  40 
5.17  Insurance.......................................................  40 
5.18  Labor Relations.................................................  40 
5.19  Internal Control................................................  40 
5.20  Swap Obligations................................................  40 
5.21  Full Disclosure.................................................  40 
5.22  Subordinated Debt...............................................  41  
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
Section                                                               Page
<S>                                                                   <C>  
                                   ARTICLE VI
                                AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.................  41
6.01  Financial Statements............................................  41
6.02  Certificates; Other Information.................................  42
6.03  Notices.........................................................  43
6.04  Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc........................  44
6.05  Maintenance of Property.........................................  45
6.06  Insurance.......................................................  45
6.07  Payment of Obligations..........................................  45
6.08  Compliance with Laws............................................  45
6.09  Compliance with ERISA...........................................  46
6.10  Inspection of Property and Books and Records....................  46
6.11  Environmental Laws..............................................  47
6.12  Use of Proceeds.................................................  47
6.13  Subordinated Debt Notices; Amendments...........................  47
6.14  Internal Controls...............................................  47
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                                                    <C> 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                           NEGATIVE COVENANTS........................  47
7.01  Limitation on Liens............................................  48
7.02  Disposition of Assets..........................................  51
7.03  Consolidations and Mergers.....................................  52
7.04  Loans and Investments..........................................  53
7.05  Amendments to Subordinated Debt Instrument.....................  55
7.06  Transactions with Affiliates...................................  55
7.07  Compliance with ERISA..........................................  55
7.08  Restricted Payments............................................  56
7.09  Leverage Ratio.................................................  57
7.10  Minimum Tangible Net Worth.....................................  57
7.11  Quick Ratio....................................................  58
7.12  Profitability..................................................  58
7.13  Change in Business.............................................  58
7.14  Accounting Changes.............................................  58
7.15  Sale/Leaseback Transactions....................................  58
</TABLE>
                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
Section                                                               Page
<S>                                                                   <C> 
                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                NONCOMPLIANCE EVENTS.................  59
8.01  Noncompliance Event............................................  59
         (a)    Non-Payment..........................................  59
         (b)    Representation or Warranty...........................  59
         (c)    Specific Noncompliance Events........................  59
         (d)    Other Noncompliance Events...........................  59
         (e)    Cross-Default .......................................  59
         (f)    Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings....................  60
         (g)    Involuntary Proceedings..............................  60
         (h)    ERISA................................................  60
         (i)    Monetary Judgments...................................  61
         (j)    Non-Monetary Judgments ..............................  61
         (k)    Change of Control....................................  61
         (l)    Invalidity of Subordination Provisions...............  61
8.02  Remedies.......................................................  61
8.03  Rights Not Exclusive...........................................  62
8.04  Certain Financial Covenant Defaults............................  62
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                                                    <C> 
                                    ARTICLE IX
                                    THE AGENT........................  62
 9.01  Appointment and Authorization; "Agent"........................  62
 9.02  Delegation of Duties..........................................  63
 9.03  Liability of Agent............................................  63
 9.04  Reliance by Agent.............................................  63
 9.05  Notice of Noncompliance Event.................................  64
 9.06  Credit Decision...............................................  64
 9.07  Indemnification of Agent......................................  65
 9.08  Agent in Individual Capacity..................................  65
 9.09  Successor Agent...............................................  65 
 9.10  Withholding Tax...............................................  66
</TABLE>

                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
Section                                                               Page
                                   ARTICLE X
                                MISCELLANEOUS........................  67
<S>                                                                   <C>  
10.01  Amendments and Waivers........................................  67
10.02  Notices.......................................................  68
10.03  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies................................  69
10.04  Costs and Expenses............................................  69
10.05  Company Indemnification.......................................  69
10.06  Payments Set Aside............................................  70
10.07  Successors and Assigns........................................  70
10.08  Assignments, Participations, Etc..............................  70
10.09  Confidentiality...............................................  72
10.10  Set-off.......................................................  72
10.11  Termination of the Commitments under Existing Facility........  73
10.12  Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc...............  73
10.13  Counterparts..................................................  73
10.14  Severability..................................................  73
10.15  No Third Parties Benefited....................................  73
10.16  Governing Law and Jurisdiction.......................... .....  73
10.17  Waiver of Jury Trial..........................................  74
10.18  Entire Agreement..............................................  74
</TABLE>


SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.01       Commitments
Schedule 7.01       Permitted Liens
Schedule 7.04(f)    Closing Date Investments
Schedule 10.02      Lending Offices; Addresses for Notices


EXHIBITS

Exhibit A           Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit B           Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit C           Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D           Form of Consolidating Statement Certificate
Exhibit E           Form of Legal Opinion of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
Exhibit F           Form of Legal Opinion of Company's Counsel
Exhibit G           Form of Promissory Note
Exhibit H           Form of Notice to Trustee
Exhibit I           Subordination Provisions
Exhibit J           Form of Assignment and Acceptance

                                       v
<PAGE>
 
                               CREDIT AGREEMENT
                               ----------------


     This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of October 30, 1995,among CONNER
PERIPHERALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the several financial
                                                -------                         
institutions from time to time party to this Agreement (collectively, the
"Banks"; individually, a "Bank"), and BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS
 -----                    ----                                                  
ASSOCIATION, as agent for the Banks.

     WHEREAS, the Banks have agreed to make available to the Company a revolving
credit facility upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

     1.01 Certain Defined Terms.  In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in
          ---------------------                                                
this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

          "Acquisition" means any transaction or series of related transactions
          ------------    
     for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the
     acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of
     any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of
     50% of the capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or
     equity of any Person, or otherwise causing any Person to become a
     Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with
     another Person (other than a Person that is a Subsidiary) provided that the
     Company or the Subsidiary is the surviving entity.

          "Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person which, directly
           ---------    
      or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common
      control with, such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another
      Person if the controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the
      power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
      the other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities,
      membership interests, by contract, or otherwise.

          "Agent" means BofA in its capacity as agent for the Banks hereunder,
           ----- 
      and any successor agent arising under Section 9.09.

          "Agent-Related Persons" means BofA and any successor agent arising
           ---------------------  
      under Section 9.09, together with their respective Affiliates (including,
      in the case of BofA, the

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     Arranger), and the officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-
     fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

          "Agent's Payment Office" means the address for payments set forth on
           ----------------------                                             
     Schedule 10.02 or such other address as the Agent may from time to time
     specify.

          "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, together with the Exhibits
           ---------
     and Schedules hereto and the Disclosure Letter, in each case, as amended,
     supplemented or modified from time to time. 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
          "Applicable Margin" means
           -----------------

          For each day on which the                          The Applicable Margin,
          aggregate principal of outstanding                     per annum, is:
                                                       --------------------------------
          Loans (after taking into account any          For Base           For Offshore
          Loans made or paid on such day) is:          Rate Loans:         Rate Loans:
          ------------------------------------         -----------         ------------

          <S>                                          <C>               <C>  
          $50,000,000 or less                          0.000%                0.875%
                                                                               
          More than $50,000,000                        0.250%                1.125% 
</TABLE> 

          The Applicable Margin shall be adjusted automatically as to all Loans
     then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the Applicable
     Margin, as set forth therein.

          "Arranger" means BA Securities, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
           --------                                                    

          "Assignee" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(a).
           --------                                                   

          "Attorney Costs" means and includes all reasonable fees and
           --------------      
     disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel, the allocated cost
     of internal legal services and all disbursements of internal counsel.

          "Bank" has the meaning specified in the introductory clause hereto.
           ----                                                              

          "Bankruptcy Code" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11
           ---------------                                                     
     U.S.C. (S)101, et seq.).
                    ------   

          "Base Rate" means, for any day, the higher of: (a) 0.50% per annum
           ---------   
     above the latest Federal Funds Rate; and (b) the rate of interest in effect
     for such day as publicly announced from time to time by BofA in San
     Francisco, California, as its "reference rate." The "reference rate" is a
     rate set by BofA based upon various factors including BofA's costs and
     desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used
     as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above,
     or below such announced rate.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          Any change in the reference rate announced by BofA shall take effect
     at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement
     of such change.

          "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base
           --------------
     Rate.
      
          "Board of Directors" means, at any time, the board of directors of the
           ------------------                                                   
     Company or any committee thereof which, in the instance, shall have the
     lawful power to exercise the power and authority of such board of
     directors.

          "BofA" means Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, a
           ----                                                                 
     national banking association.

          "Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of the
           --------- 
     same Type made to the Company on the same day by the Banks under Article
     II, and, in the case of Offshore Rate Loans, having the same Interest
     Period.

          "Borrowing Date" means any date on which a Borrowing occurs under
           --------------        
     Section 2.03.

          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
          ------------    
     day on which commercial banks in New York City or San Francisco are
     authorized or required by law to close and, if the applicable Business Day
     relates to any Offshore Rate Loan, means such a day on which dealings are
     carried on in the London interbank market.

          "Capital Adequacy Regulation" means any guideline, request or
          ---------------------------   
     directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other
     law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each
     case, regarding capital adequacy of any bank or of any corporation
     controlling a bank.

          "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means any obligation of the Company or
           -----------------------------      
     any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any rental that, under GAAP, is
     required to be capitalized on the books of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries, taken at the amount thereof accounted for as indebtedness net
     of interest expense determined on a consolidated basis, in accordance with
     GAAP.

          "Cash Equivalents" means, when used in connection with any Person,
           ----------------     
     such Person's Investments in:

               (a) obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by (or insured by),
     the United States government, its agencies, or any public instrumentality
     thereof with maturities not to exceed (or an unconditional right to compel
     purchase within) seven years from the date of acquisition;

               (b) commercial paper or loan participations maturing within seven
     years of the date of acquisition issued by or granting participations in
     obligations of a Person organized under the laws of the United States,
     Canada, a country that

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     is a member of the European Community, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia or
     Japan, rated at the time of acquisition (or issued by or granting
     participations in obligations of Persons organized under the laws of such
     jurisdiction with other outstanding unsecured and unsupported debt
     securities ranking pari passu with such commercial paper or loan
     participations and rated at the time of acquisition) in the top rating
     classification by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's
     Corporation, Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. or any other rating agency
     nationally recognized in the United States, Japan or any country which is a
     member of the European Community at the time of acquisition thereof;

               (c)  operating deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course
     of business for operating fund purposes;

               (d)  securities issued by any state of the United States or any
     political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality
     thereof with maturities not to exceed (or an unconditional right to compel
     purchase within) seven years of the date of acquisition, that are rated in
     one of the highest two rating classifications by Moody's Investors Service,
     Inc., Standard & Poor's Corporation, Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. or any
     other rating agency nationally recognized in the United States;

                   (e)  demand and time deposits with, Eurodollar deposits with,
     certificates of deposit issued by, or obligations or securities fully
     backed by letters of credit issued by

                        (1) any bank organized under the laws of the United
               States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or Canada
               having combined capital and surplus aggregating at least
               $100,000,000, and outstanding unsecured and unsupported debt
               rated "A" or better at the time of acquisition thereof by
               Standard and Poor's Corporation, Moody's Investor Service, Inc.,
               Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. or any other rating agency
               nationally recognized in the United States, Japan or any country
               which is a member of the European Community, or

                        (2) any other bank organized under the laws of a country
               that is a member of the European Community (or any political
               subdivision of any such country), Japan, Singapore, Taiwan,
               Malaysia, the Cayman Islands, the British West Indies or the
               Bahamas, having combined capital and surplus of not less than
               $500,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in a currency other than
               United States dollars.

               (the banks described in the foregoing subclauses (i) and (ii),
     inclusive, being referred to in this Agreement as "Permitted Banks");
                                                        ---------------   

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
               (f)  bankers' acceptances accepted by a Permitted Bank and
     eligible for rediscount under the requirements of the Board of Governors of
     the Federal Reserve System;

               (g)  Investments in money market programs that would be
     classified on the balance sheet of the investing Person as a current asset
     in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which money
     market programs have total invested assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; and

               (h)  Investments in money market preferred stocks or other
     equivalent Dutch-auction preferred stock of any corporation maturing within
     one year of the date of acquisition thereof and with a credit rating at the
     time of acquisition thereof of "AA+" or "aa1" or better (or a comparable
     rating) by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's Corporation,
     Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. or any other rating agency nationally
     recognized in the United States, Japan or any country which is a member of
     the European Community.

     "Change of Control" means the direct or indirect acquisition by any
      -----------------    
person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d)(2) of the
Exchange Act), or related persons constituting a group (as such term is used in
Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), of

               (i) beneficial ownership of issued and outstanding shares of
          voting stock of the Company, the result of which acquisition is that
          such person or such group possesses in excess of 50% of the combined
          voting power of all then issued and outstanding voting stock of the
          Company, or 

               (ii) the power to elect, appoint, or cause the election or
          appointment of at least a majority of the members of the Board of
          Directors.

          "Closing Date" means the date on which all conditions precedent set
           ------------     
forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived by all Banks (or, in the
case of subsection 4.01(e), waived by the Person entitled to receive such
payment).

          "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
           ----                                          

          "Commitment," as to each Bank, has the meaning specified in Section
           ----------    
2.01.
      
          "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in the form
           ----------------------    
of Exhibit C.
   ---------
      
         "Consolidated Current Liabilities" means, as of any date of
          --------------------------------      
      determination, all amounts which would, in accordance with GAAP, be
      included under current liabilities on a consolidated balance sheet of the
      Company and its Subsidiaries at such date.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          "Consolidated Net Income" for any fiscal period means net income
           -----------------------  
      before extraordinary items of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined
      on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

          "Consolidated Subsidiary" means, at any time, any Subsidiary of the
           -----------------------  
      Company that in accordance with GAAP would be consolidated with the
      Company for financial reporting purposes.

          "Consolidated Tangible Assets" means, as of any date of determination,
           ----------------------------                                         
     Consolidated Total Assets as of such date minus the net book value of (i)
                                               -----                          
     goodwill, organizational expenses, treasury shares, patents, patent
     applications, trademarks, trademark applications, trade names, service
     marks, service mark applications, copyrights, mask works, designs and other
     intellectual property and licenses therefor and rights therein, and other
     similar intangibles, and (ii) all deferred charges and amortizing debt
     issuance expenses carried as an asset in excess of $6,500,000.

          "Consolidated Total Assets" means, as of any date of determination,
           -------------------------
      the aggregate amount of all assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries
      that would, in accordance with GAAP, be required to be shown as assets on
      a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
      such date.

          "Consolidated Total Liabilities" means, as of any date of
           ------------------------------ 
      determination, the aggregate amount of all liabilities of the Company and
      its Subsidiaries that would, in accordance with GAAP, be required to be
      shown on as a liability on the liability side of a consolidated balance
      sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such date.

          "Contingent Obligation" means, as to any Person, any direct or
           ---------------------  
      indirect liability of that Person, whether or not contingent, with or
      without recourse, (a) with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend,
      letter of credit or other obligation (the "primary obligations") of
      another Person (the "primary obligor"), including any obligation of that
      Person (i) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such primary
      obligations or any security therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds for
      the payment or discharge of any such primary obligation, or to maintain
      working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to
      maintain the net worth or solvency or any balance sheet item, level of
      income or financial condition of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase
      property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the
      owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor
      to make payment of such primary obligation, or (iv) otherwise to assure or
      hold harmless the holder of any such primary obligation against loss in
      respect thereof (each, a "Guaranty Obligation"); (b) with respect to any
                                -------------------            
      Surety Instrument issued for the account of that Person or as to which
      that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings or payments;
      (c) to purchase any materials, supplies or other property from, or to
      obtain the services of, another Person if the relevant contract or other
      related document or obligation requires that payment for such materials,
      supplies or other property, or for such services, shall be made regardless
      of whether delivery of such materials, supplies or other property is ever

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     made or tendered, or such services are ever performed or tendered, or (d)
     in respect of any Swap Contract; provided, however, that the term
     Contingent Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for
     deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any
     Contingent Obligation shall, in the case of Guaranty Obligations, be deemed
     equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in
     respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made or, if not stated or if
     indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect
     thereof, and in the case of other Contingent Obligations other than in
     respect of Swap Contracts, shall be equal to the maximum reasonably
     anticipated liability in respect thereof and, in the case of Contingent
     Obligations in respect of Swap Contracts, shall be equal to the Swap
     Termination Value.

          "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
           ----------------------                                               
     security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract,
     indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or
     agreement to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
     Property is bound.

          "Conversion/Continuation Date" means any date on which, under Section
           ----------------------------      
     2.04, the Company (a) converts Loans of one Type to another Type, or (b)
     continues as Loans of the same Type, but with a new Interest Period, Loans
     having an Interest Period expiring on such date.

          "Determination Date" means the last day of each fiscal quarter of the
           ------------------                                                  
     Company.

          "Disclosure Letter" means that certain letter of even date herewith by
           -----------------  
      the Company addressed to the Agent containing the Schedules referenced in
      Article V hereof.

          "Dollars," "dollars" and "$" each mean lawful money of the United
           -------    -------       -
      States.
          
          "Eligible Assignee" means (a) a commercial bank organized under the
           -----------------    
      laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having a combined
      capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000; (b) a commercial bank
      organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the
      Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the "OECD"), or a
      political subdivision of any such country, and having a combined capital
      and surplus of at least $100,000,000, provided that such bank is acting
      through a branch or agency located in the United States; and (c) a Person
      that is primarily engaged in the business of commercial banking and that
      is (i) a Subsidiary of a Bank, (ii) a Subsidiary of a Person of which a
      Bank is a Subsidiary, or (iii) a Person of which a Bank is a Subsidiary.

          "Environmental Claims" means all claims, however asserted, by any
           --------------------                                            
     Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability or
     responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law, or for release or
     injury to the environment or threat to public health, personal injury
     (including sickness, disease or death), property damage, natural resources
     damage, or otherwise alleging liability or responsibility for damages
     (punitive or

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     otherwise), cleanup, removal, remedial or response costs, restitution,
     civil or criminal penalties, injunctive relief, or other type of relief,
     resulting from or based upon (a) the presence, placement, discharge,
     emission or release (including intentional and unintentional, negligent and
     non-negligent, sudden or nonsudden, accidental or nonaccidental placement,
     spills, leaks, discharges, emissions or releases) of any Hazardous Material
     at, in or from Property, whether or not owned by the Company, or (b) any
     other circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged
     violation, of any Environmental Law.

          "Environmental Laws" means all federal, state or local laws, statutes,
           ------------------                                                   
     common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with
     all administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses,
     authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental
     Authorities, in each case relating to environmental, health, safety and
     land use matters.

          "Environmental Permits" means all licenses, permits, authorizations
           ---------------------  
     and registrations required under any Environmental Law.

          "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
           -----                                                               
     amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

          "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
           ---------------    
     incorporated) under common control with the Company or any Subsidiary of
     the Company within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and
     Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to
     Section 412 of the Code).

          "ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension
           -----------   
     Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension
     Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a
     substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a
     cessation of operations which is treated as such a withdrawal under Section
     4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Company or
     any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a
     Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of
     intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination
     under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by
     the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or
     condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under
     Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a
     trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the
     imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than PBGC
     premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the
     Company or any ERISA Affiliate.

          "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" has the meaning specified in the
           -----------------------------   
     definition of "Offshore Rate."

          "Existing Facility" means the Credit Agreement dated as of December
           -----------------        
     23, 1993, as heretofore amended, among the Company, the several financial
     institutions party

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     thereto and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as
     agent for such financial institutions.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
           ------------    
     regulations promulgated thereunder.

          "FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and any
           ----                                                          
     Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate set forth in the
           ------------------
     weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor
     publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including
     any such successor, "H.15(519)") on the preceding Business Day opposite the
     caption "Federal Funds (Effective)"; or, if for any relevant day such rate
     is not so published on any such preceding Business Day, the rate for such
     day will be the arithmetic mean as determined by the Agent of the rates for
     the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m.
     (New York City time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of
     Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by the Agent.

          "Fee Letter" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.10(a).
           ----------                                                  

          "Foreign Receivables" means any and all receivables of the Company for
           -------------------                                                  
     which the account debtor with respect thereto either is not principally
     located or doing business in the United States or is organized under the
     laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any political
     subdivision of the United States.

          "FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and
           ---      
     any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from
           ----  
     time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
     Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
     and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards
     Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and
     authority within the U.S. accounting profession), which are applicable to
     the circumstances as of the date of determination.

          "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state or
           ----------------------  
     other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary
     or regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive,
     legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
     pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or
     controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the
     foregoing.

          "Guaranty Obligation" has the meaning specified in the definition of
           -------------------                                                
     "Contingent Obligation."

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          "Hazardous Materials" means all those substances which are regulated
           -------------------
     by, or which may form the basis of liability under, any Environmental Law,
     including all substances identified under any Environmental Law as a
     pollutant, contaminant, waste, solid waste, hazardous waste, hazardous
     constituent, special waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, or
     toxic substance, or petroleum or petroleum derived substance or waste.

          "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
           ------------                                                   
     indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken or
     assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than
     trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business on ordinary
     terms); (c) all noncontingent reimbursement or payment obligations with
     respect to Surety Instruments; (d) all obligations evidenced by notes,
     bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so
     evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of Property, assets
     or businesses; (e) all indebtedness created or arising under any
     conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as
     financing, in either case with respect to Property acquired by the Person
     (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such
     agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of
     such Property); (f) all Capitalized Lease Obligations; (g) all indebtedness
     referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above secured by (or for which the
     holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise,
     to be secured by) any Lien upon or in Property (including accounts and
     contracts rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not
     assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness; and (h) all
     Guaranty Obligations in respect of indebtedness or obligations of others of
     the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above. For all purposes of
     this Agreement, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include all recourse
     Indebtedness of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner.

          "Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning specified in Section 10.05.
           -----------------------                                             

          "Indemnified Person" has the meaning specified in Section 10.05.
           ------------------                                             

          "Independent Auditor" has the meaning specified in subsection 6.01(a).
           -------------------                                                  

          "Ineligible Securities" means securities which may not be underwritten
           ---------------------    
     or dealt in by member banks of the Federal Reserve System under Section 16
     of the Banking Act of 1933 (12 U.S.C. (S) 24, Seventh), as amended.

          "Insolvency Proceeding" means, with respect to any Person, (a) any
           ---------------------  
     case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person before any court or
     other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization,
     insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of
     debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors,
     composition, marshalling of assets for creditors, or other, similar
     arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial
     portion of its creditors; undertaken under U.S. Federal, state or foreign
     law, including the Bankruptcy Code.

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
          "Interest Payment Date" means, as to any Offshore Rate Loan, the last
           ---------------------           
     day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and, as to any Base
     Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, provided,
                                                                --------
     however, that if any Interest Period for an Offshore Rate Loan exceeds
     -------
     three months, the date that falls three months after the beginning of such
     Interest Period (and after each Interest Payment Date thereafter) is also
     an Interest Payment Date.

          "Interest Period" means, as to any Offshore Rate Loan, the period
           ---------------                                                 
     commencing on the Borrowing Date of such Loan or on the
     Conversion/Continuation Date on which the Loan is converted into or
     continued as an Offshore Rate Loan, and ending on the date one, two, three
     or six months thereafter as selected by the Company in its Notice of
     Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation;
     provided that:
     --------      

               (i)   if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is
          not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the
          following Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to
          carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event
          such Interest Period shall end on the preceding Business Day;

               (ii)  any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of
          a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
          corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
          Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at
          the end of such Interest Period; and

               (iii) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend (or shall be
          requested) beyond the Termination Date.

          "Investment" means, when used in connection with any Person, any
           ----------   
     investment by that Person, whether by means of purchase or other
     acquisition of capital stock or other securities, limited partnership
     interests, or any warrant or option, of any other Person or by means of
     loan, advance, capital contribution, guaranty, bonds, debentures, notes or
     other debt or equity participation or interest, or otherwise, in any other
     Person, including any partnership or Joint Venture interest in any other
             ---------
     Person.

                               
          "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, and any Governmental
           ---    
     Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under the Code.

          "Joint Venture" means a single-purpose corporation, partnership,
           -------------    
     limited liability company, joint venture or other legal arrangement
     (whether created by contract or conducted through a separate legal entity)
     now or hereafter formed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with
     another Person in order to conduct a common venture or enterprise with such
     Person.

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
          "Latent Noncompliance Event" means any event or circumstance which,
           --------------------------      
     with the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured
     or otherwise remedied during such time) constitute a Noncompliance Event.

         "Lending Office" means, as to any Bank, the office or offices of such
          --------------       
     Bank specified as its "Lending Office" or "Domestic Lending Office" or
     "Offshore Lending Office," as the case may be, on Schedule 10.02, or such
                                                       -------------- 
     other office or offices as such Bank may from time to time notify the
     Company and the Agent.

          "Lien" means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation,
           ----   
     security interest, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance,
     lien (statutory or other) or priority or preferential arrangement of any
     kind or nature whatsoever in respect of any Property (including those
     created by, arising under or evidenced by any conditional sale or other
     title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under any Capital Lease
     Obligation, any financing lease having substantially the same economic
     effect as any of the foregoing, or the filing of any financing statement
     naming the owner of the asset to which such lien relates as debtor, under
     the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable law) and any contingent or
     other agreement to provide any of the foregoing.

         "Loan" means an extension of credit by a Bank to the Company under
          ----      
     Article II, and may be a Base Rate Loan, or an Offshore Rate Loan (each, a
     "Type" of----Loan).

          "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, any Notes, the Fee Letter and
           --------------    
     all other documents delivered to the Agent or any Bank in connection
     herewith.

          "Majority Banks" means at any time, Banks then holding at least 50% of
           --------------    
     the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans, or, if no such
     principal amount is then outstanding, Banks then having at least 50% of the
     Commitments.

          "Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in
           ------------                                                 
     Regulation G, T, U or X of the FRB.

          "Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse change in, or a
           -----------------------                                              
     material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties or
     condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company or the Company and its
     Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or (b) a material adverse effect upon the
     legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan Document.

          "Material Subsidiary" means, at any time, (a) any Consolidated
           -------------------    
     Subsidiary which either (i) at such time owns assets having a net book
     value equal to or greater than ten percent (10%) of Consolidated Assets, or
     (ii) for the most recent fiscal quarter or the most recent fiscal year had
     income from operations equal to or greater than five percent (5%) of the
     income from operations for the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on
     a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and (b) any Consolidated
     Subsidiary 

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
     owning more than 50% of the voting stock or other equity interest of any
     Subsidiary described in clause (a) of this definition.

          "Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiple employer plan" or a
           ------------------   
     "multiemployer plan," as described in Section 4064(a) and 4001(a)(3) of
     ERISA, to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate makes, is making, or is
     obligated to make contributions or, during the preceding three calendar
     years, has made, or been obligated to make, contributions.

          "Net Proceeds" means, with respect to a sale of equity securities,
           ------------
     gross proceeds thereof reduced by all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
     expenses paid or incurred by the Company directly in connection therewith,
     including underwriter's commissions or discounts, registration and filing
     fees, legal and accounting fees, and printing costs (but excluding amounts
     of such costs and expenses payable to the Company or any Affiliate of the
     Company).

          "1991 Indenture" means that certain Indenture dated as of March 1,
           --------------      
     1991 by the Company to The First National Bank of Boston, as trustee,
     relating to the 6 3/4% subordinated convertible debentures due 2001, as
     supplemented through the date hereof.

          "1992 Indenture" means that Indenture dated as of March 1, 1992, by
           --------------  
     and between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as trustee,
     relating to the 6 1/2% convertible subordinated debentures due 2002, as
     supplemented through the date hereof.

          "Noncompliance Event" means any of the events or circumstances
           -------------------    
     specified in Section 8.01.

          "Note" means a promissory note executed by the Company in favor of a
           ----
     Bank pursuant to subsection 2.02(b), in substantially the form of Exhibit
                                                                       -------
     G.
     -


          "Notice of Borrowing" means a notice in substantially the form of
           -------------------
     Exhibit A.
     ---------

          "Notice of Conversion/Continuation" means a notice in substantially
           ---------------------------------
     the form of Exhibit B.
                 ---------

          "Notice of Lien" means any "notice of lien" or similar document
           --------------   
     intended to be filed or recorded with any court, registry, recorder's
     office, central filing office or Governmental Authority for the purpose of
     evidencing, creating, perfecting or preserving the priority of a Lien
     securing obligations owing to a Governmental Authority.

          "Obligations" means all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations,
           -----------                                                      
     covenants, duties and other Indebtedness arising under any Loan Document
     owing by the Company to any Bank, the Agent, or any Indemnified Person,
     whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment),
     absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter
     arising. 

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
          "Offshore Rate" means, for any Interest Period, with respect to
           -------------
     Offshore Rate Loans comprising part of the same Borrowing, the rate of
     interest per annum (rounded upward to the next 1/16th of 1%) determined by
     the Agent as follows:

               Offshore Rate =                   LIBOR
                                ------------------------------------
                                1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

     Where,

               "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for any day for any
                -----------------------------
          Interest Period the maximum reserve percentage (expressed as a
          decimal, rounded upward to the next 1/100th of 1%) in effect on such
          day (whether or not applicable to any Bank) under regulations issued
          from time to time by the FRB for determining the maximum reserve
          requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal
          reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency funding (currently
          referred to as "Eurocurrency liabilities"); and

               "LIBOR" means the rate of interest per annum determined by the
                -----
          Agent to be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to the next 1/16th of
          1%) of the rates of interest per annum notified to the Agent by the
          Reference Bank as the rate of interest at which dollar deposits in the
          approximate amount of the amount of the Loan to be made or continued
          as, or converted into, an Offshore Rate Loan by such Reference Bank
          and having a maturity comparable to such Interest Period would be
          offered to major banks in the London interbank market at their request
          at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to
          the commencement of such Interest Period.

          The Offshore Rate shall be adjusted automatically as to all Offshore
     Rate Loans then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the
     Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

          "Offshore Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on the
           ------------------    
     Offshore Rate.

          "Organization Documents" means, for any corporation, the certificate
           ----------------------     
     or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination
     or instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such
     corporation, any shareholder rights agreement, and all applicable
     resolutions of the board of directors (or any committee thereof) of such
     corporation.

          "Other Taxes" means any present or future stamp, court or documentary
           -----------  
     taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies
     which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution,
     delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with
     respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Documents.

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
          "Participant" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(d).
           -----------                                                   

          "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
           ----   
     Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under
     ERISA.

          "Pension Plan" means a pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of
           ------------    
     ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA which the Company or any ERISA
     Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or to which the Company or any ERISA
     Affiliate makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions, or in
     the case of a multiple employer plan (as described in Section 4064(a) of
     ERISA) has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding
     five plan years.

          "Permitted Investments" has the meaning specified in Section 7.04.
           ---------------------                                            

          "Permitted Liens" has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
           ---------------                                            

          "Permitted Swap Obligations" means all obligations (contingent or
           --------------------------                                      
     otherwise) of the Company or any Subsidiary existing or arising under Swap
     Contracts, provided that each of the following criteria is satisfied: (a)
     such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary
     course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated
     with liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably anticipated by
     such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person in
     conjunction with a securities repurchase program not otherwise prohibited
     hereunder, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a "market view;"
     and (b) such Swap Contracts do not contain (i) any provision ("walk-away"
     provision) exonerating the nondefaulting party from its obligation to make
     payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party, or (ii) any
     provision creating or permitting the declaration of an event of default,
     termination event or similar event upon the occurrence of a Noncompliance
     Event hereunder (other than a Noncompliance Event under subsection
     8.01(a)).

          "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
           ------      
     liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust,
     unincorporated association, Joint Venture or Governmental Authority.

          "Plan" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
           ----   
     ERISA) which the Company sponsors or maintains or to which the Company
     makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions and includes any
     Pension Plan.

          "Preferred Stock" means, at any time, with respect to any Person,
           ---------------    
     capital stock of such Person that is preferred as to the payment of
     dividends, or as to the distribution of Property on any voluntary or
     involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over any other class
     of capital stock of such Person (in each case, taken at the greater of its
     voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference at the time of calculation
     thereof, but exclusive of accrued dividends).

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
          "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset,
           -------- 
     whether real, personal or mixed, and whether tangible or intangible.

          "Pro Rata Share" means, as to any Bank at any time, the percentage
           --------------                                                   
     equivalent (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) at
     such time of such Bank's Commitment divided by the combined Commitments of
     all Banks.

          "Purchase Money Mortgage" means a Lien held by any Person (whether or
           ----------------------- 
     not the seller of the assets covered by such Lien) on tangible Property
     (other than assets acquired to replace, repair, upgrade or alter tangible
     Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the date of
     this Agreement), provided that such Lien:
                      --------

               (a)  secures all or a portion of the related purchase price or
          construction costs of such Property;

               (b)  encumbers only tangible Property, accretions and accessions
          thereto and (in the case of any Lien in respect of improvements to
          real estate) any theretofore unimproved real Property on which such
          Property is located (and the proceeds of the disposition thereof)
          acquired or constructed with the proceeds of the indebtedness secured
          by such Lien; and

               (c)  is created concurrently with or within one year of the
          acquisition or substantial completion of construction of such tangible
          Property.

          "Reference Bank" means BofA, or any successor "Reference Bank"
           -------------- 
          designated by the Majority Banks.

          "Replacement Bank" has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.
           ----------------                                            

          "Reportable Event" means, any of the events set forth in Section
           ----------------
     4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any such event
     for which the 30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been waived in
     regulations issued by the PBGC.

          "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, any law (statutory or
           ------------------                                                
     common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or of
     a Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon the
     Person or any of its Property or to which the Person or any of its Property
     is subject.

          "Responsible Officer" means the chief executive officer, the
           -------------------
     president, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the
     treasurer, any assistant treasurer or the general counsel of the Company.

          "Restricted Payments" has the meaning specified in subsection 7.08(a).
           -------------------                                                  

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
          "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means any transaction or series of
           --------------------------   
      related transactions in which the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company
      sells or transfers any of its Property to any Person (other than to the
      Company or to a Subsidiary of the Company) and within one year thereafter
      rents or leases such transferred Property or substantially similar
      Property from any Person.

          "Sale/Leaseback Transaction Amount" means, on any date, after giving
           ---------------------------------      
      effect to all Sale/Leaseback Transactions occurring on such date, the
      greater of:

               (a)  the present value, discounted at the Base Rate in effect as
          of the date of determination thereof, of all unpaid payment
          obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of all
          Sale/Leaseback Transactions in effect on such date; or

               (b)  the depreciated purchase price of all Property, subject to
          Sale/ Leaseback Transactions at such time, on such date.

          "Seagate" means Seagate Technology, Inc.
           -------                                

          "Section 20 Subsidiary" means the subsidiary of the bank holding
           ---------------------
     company of any Bank, which has been granted authority by the FRB to
     underwrite and deal in Ineligible Securities.

          "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
           ---  
     Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "Subordinated Debt" means all Indebtedness (whether now existing or
           -----------------                                                 
     hereafter incurred or arising) of the Company under the 1991 Indenture, the
     1992 Indenture, or which is subject to subordination provisions in favor of
     the holders of the Obligations no less favorable to such holders than those
     attached hereto as Exhibit I or is otherwise consented to in writing as
                        --------- 
     "Subordinated Debt" by the Majority Banks.

          "Subsidiary" of a Person means any corporation, association,
           ----------      
     partnership, limited liability company, Joint Venture or other business
     entity of which more than 50% of the voting stock, membership interests or
     other equity interests (in the case of Persons other than corporations), is
     owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Person, or one or more of
     the Subsidiaries of the Person, or a combination thereof. Unless the
     context otherwise clearly requires, references herein to a "Subsidiary"
     refer to a Subsidiary of the Company.

          "Surety Instruments" means all letters of credit (including standby
           ------------------ 
      and commercial), banker's acceptances, bank guaranties, shipside bonds,
      surety bonds and similar instruments.

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
          "Swap Contract" means any agreement, whether or not in writing,
           ------------- 
      relating to any transaction that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate
      transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap
      or option, bond, note or bill option, interest rate option, forward
      foreign exchange transaction, cap, collar or floor transaction, currency
      swap, cross-currency rate swap, swap option, currency option or any other,
      similar transaction (including any option to enter into any of the
      foregoing) or any combination of the foregoing, and, unless the context
      otherwise clearly requires, any master agreement relating to or governing
      any or all of the foregoing.

          "Swap Termination Value" means, in respect of any one or more Swap
           ----------------------                                           
     Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable
     netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or
     after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination
     value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and
     (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) the amount(s)
     determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as
     determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available
     quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which
     may include any Bank).

          "Tangible Net Worth" means at any time, Consolidated Tangible Assets
           ------------------      
     minus Consolidated Total Liabilities.
     -----

          "Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
           -----
     assessments, imposts, duties, deductions, fees, withholdings or similar
     charges, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the case
     of each Bank and the Agent, respectively, taxes (including income taxes or
     franchise taxes) imposed on, or measured by, its net income by the
     jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which
     such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, is organized or maintains a
     lending office.

     "Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of:
      ----------------                                

               (a)  October 28, 1996 (subject to extension as provided in
          Section 2.15), and

               (b)  the date on which the Commitments terminate in accordance
          with the provisions of this Agreement.

          "Transfers" has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.
           ---------                                            

          "Type" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Loan."
           ----                                                        

          "Unfunded Pension Liability" means the excess of a Pension Plan's
           --------------------------
     benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current
     value of that Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions
     used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for
     the applicable plan year.

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
               "United States" and "U.S." each means the United States of
                -------------       ---
     America.

               "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of the Company (or
                -----------------------
     of any Subsidiary of the Company) of which 100% of the voting stock is
     owned beneficially and of record, directly or indirectly, by the Company
     (or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Company or a combination
     thereof), provided that directors qualifying shares and shares issued to
     comply with local ownership legal requirements not exceeding in the
     aggregate 3% of the voting stock of such Subsidiary may be owned by Persons
     other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

     1.02      Other Interpretive Provisions.
               ----------------------------- 

               (a)  The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the
singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

               (b)  The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and similar words
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement; and subsection, Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this
Agreement unless otherwise specified.

               (c) (i) The term "documents" includes any and all instruments,
     documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other
     writings, however evidenced.

                    (ii)   The term "including" is not limiting and means
     "including without limitation."

                    (iii)  In the computation of periods of time from a
     specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and
     including"; the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding," and
     the word "through" means "to and including."

               (d)  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references
to agreements (including this Agreement) and other contractual instruments shall
be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto,
but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not
prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document, and (ii) references to any statute
or regulation are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory
provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the
statute or regulation.

               (e)  The captions and headings of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this
Agreement.

               (f)  This Agreement and other Loan Documents may use several
different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar
matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and shall
each be performed in accordance with their terms. Unless otherwise expressly
provided, any reference to any action of the Agent or the

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
Banks by way of consent, approval or waiver shall be deemed modified by the
phrase "in its/ their sole discretion."

          (g) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of
negotiations among and have been reviewed by counsel to the Agent, the Company
and the other parties, and are the products of all parties.  Accordingly, they
shall not be construed against the Banks or the Agent merely because of the
Agent's or Banks' involvement in their preparation.

     1.03 Accounting Principles.
          --------------------- 

          (a) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all accounting
terms not expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all financial
computations required under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with
GAAP, consistently applied.

          (b) References herein to "fiscal year" and "fiscal quarter" refer to
such fiscal periods of the Company.


                                  ARTICLE II

                                  THE CREDITS
                                  -----------

     2.01  Amounts and Terms of Commitments.  Each Bank severally agrees, on the
           --------------------------------                                     
terms and conditions set forth herein, to make loans to the Company from time to
time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date to the
Termination Date, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding
the amount set forth on Schedule 2.01 (such amount as the same may be reduced
under Section 2.05 or as a result of one or more assignments under Section
10.08, the Bank's "Commitment"); provided, however, that, after giving effect to
                   ----------    --------  -------                              
any Borrowing, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans shall not
at any time exceed the combined Commitments.  Within the limits of each Bank's
Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Company
may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.06 and reborrow under
this Section 2.01.

     2.02  Loan Accounts.
           ------------- 

          (a) The Loans made by each Bank shall be evidenced by one or more loan
accounts or records maintained by such Bank in the ordinary course of business.
The loan accounts or records maintained by the Agent and each Bank shall be
conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Banks to
the Company and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure so to record or
any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the
obligation of the Company hereunder to pay any amount actually owing with
respect to the Loans.

          (b) Upon the request of any Bank made through the Agent, the Loans
made by such Bank may be evidenced by one or more Notes, instead of or in
addition to loan accounts.

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
Each such Bank shall endorse on the schedules annexed to its Note(s) the date,
amount and maturity of each Loan made by it and the amount of each payment of
principal made by the Company with respect thereto. Each such Bank is
irrevocably authorized by the Company to endorse its Note(s) and each Bank's
record shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided, however, that the
                                                  --------  -------
failure of a Bank to make, or an error in making, a thereon with respect to any
Loan shall not limit or otherwise affect the actual obligations of the Company
hereunder or under any such Note to such Bank.

     2.03 Procedure for Borrowing.
          ----------------------- 

          (a)  Each Borrowing shall be made upon the Company's irrevocable
written notice delivered to the Agent in the form of a Notice of Borrowing
(which notice must be received by the Agent prior to 10:00 a.m. (San Francisco
time) (i) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case
of Offshore Rate Loans; and (ii) one Business Day prior to the requested
Borrowing Date, in the case of Base Rate Loans, specifying:

               (A)  the amount of the Borrowing, which shall be in an aggregate
     minimum amount of (I) $10,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
     thereof, in the case of requests for Offshore Rate Loans, or (II)
     $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, in the case of
     requests for Base Rate Loans;

               (B)  the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a Business Day;

               (C)  the Type of Loans comprising the Borrowing; and

               (D)  the duration of the Interest Period applicable to such Loans
     included in such notice. If the Notice of Borrowing fails to specify the
     duration of the Interest Period for any Borrowing comprised of Offshore
     Rate Loans, such Interest Period shall be three months.

          (b)  The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of any
Notice of Borrowing and of the amount of such Bank's Pro Rata Share of that
Borrowing.

          (c)  Each Bank will make the amount of its Pro Rata Share of each
Borrowing available to the Agent for the account of the Company at the Agent's
Payment Office by 11:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) on the Borrowing Date
requested by the Company in funds immediately available to the Agent.  Unless
any applicable condition specified in Article IV has not been satisfied, the
proceeds of all such Loans will then be made available to the Company by the
Agent at such office by crediting the account of the Company on the books of
BofA with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Agent by the Banks
and in like funds as received by the Agent.

          (d)  After giving effect to any Borrowing, unless the Agent shall
otherwise consent, there may not be more than six different Interest Periods in
effect.

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
     2.04      Conversion and Continuation Elections.
               ------------------------------------- 

               (a)  The Company may, upon irrevocable written notice to the
Agent in accordance with subsection 2.04(b):

                    (i)   elect to convert, as of any Business Day, any Base
     Rate Loans, (or any part thereof in an amount not less than $10,000,000, or
     that is in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) into
     Offshore Rate Loans; or

                    (ii)  elect to convert, as of the last day of the applicable
     Interest Period, any Offshore Rate Loans expiring on such day (or any part
     thereof in an amount not less than $5,000,000, or that is in an integral
     multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) into Base Rate Loans; or

                    (iii) elect to continue, as of the last day of the
     applicable Interest Period, any Offshore Rate Loans having Interest Periods
     expiring on such day (or any part thereof in an amount not less than
     $10,000,000, or that is in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
     thereof);

provided, that if at any time the aggregate amount of Offshore Rate Loans in
- --------                                                                    
respect of any Borrowing is reduced, by payment, prepayment, or conversion of
part thereof to be less than $5,000,000, all Offshore Rate Loans shall
automatically convert into Base Rate Loans, and on and after such date the right
of the Company to continue such Loans as, and convert such Loans into, Offshore
Rate Loans shall terminate.

               (b)  The Company shall deliver a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation to be received by the Agent not later than 10:00 a.m.
(San Francisco time) at least (i) three Business Days in advance of the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Loans are to be converted into or continued
as Offshore Rate Loans; and (ii) one Business Day in advance of the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Loans are to be converted into Base Rate
Loans, specifying:

                    (A)  the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date;

                    (B)  the aggregate amount of Loans to be converted or
               continued;

                    (C)  the Type of Loans resulting from the proposed
               conversion or continuation; and

                    (D)  other than in the case of conversions into Base Rate
               Loans, the duration of the requested Interest Period.

               (c)  If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to
Offshore Rate Loans, the Company has failed to select timely a new Interest
Period to be applicable to such Offshore Rate Loans, or if any Latent
Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event then 

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
exists, the Company shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Offshore
Rate Loans into Base Rate Loans effective as of the expiration date of such
Interest Period.

          (d) The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of a
Notice of Conversion/Continuation, or, if no timely notice is provided by the
Company, the Agent will promptly notify each Bank of the details of any
automatic conversion.  All conversions and continuations shall be made ratably
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans subject
to such conversion or continuation held by each Bank.

          (e) Unless the Majority Banks otherwise consent, during the existence
of a Latent Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event, the Company may not
elect to have a Loan converted into or continued as an Offshore Rate Loan.

          (f) After giving effect to any conversion or continuation of Loans,
unless the Agent shall otherwise consent, there may not be more than six
different Interest Periods in effect.

     2.05  Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments.  The Company may,
           -------------------------------------------------                   
upon not less than three Business Days' prior notice to the Agent, terminate the
Commitments, or permanently reduce the Commitments by an aggregate minimum
amount of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; unless,
                                                                      ------ 
after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of Loans made on the
effective date thereof, the then-outstanding principal amount of the Loans would
exceed the amount of the combined Commitments then in effect.  Once reduced in
accordance with this Section 2.05, the Commitments may not be increased.  Any
reduction of the Commitments shall be applied to each Bank according to its Pro
Rata Share.

     2.06  Optional Prepayments.  Subject to Section 3.04, the Company may, at
           --------------------                                               
any time or from time to time, upon notice to the Agent as described in the
following sentence, ratably prepay principal amounts outstanding under any Loans
in whole or in part, in minimum amounts of $1,000,000 for Base Rate Loans and
$5,000,000 for Offshore Rate Loans or in either case any multiple of $1,000,000
in excess of the applicable minimum amount.  Such notice of prepayment shall be
provided to the Agent by no later than 10:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) not less
than three Business Days prior to the proposed date of prepayment in respect of
any Offshore Rate Loans, and by no later than 10:00 a.m. (San Francisco time)
not less than one Business Day prior to the proposed date of prepayment in
respect of any Base Rate Loans.  Such notice of prepayment shall be irrevocable
and shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of
Loans to be prepaid.  The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of
any such notice.  If such notice is given by the Company, the Company shall make
such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and
payable on the date specified therein, together with any amounts required
pursuant to Section 3.04.  Accrued interest to each such date of prepayment on
the principal amount so prepaid shall be due and payable as provided in Section
2.09(b).

     2.07  Mandatory Prepayments.  The principal amount of the outstanding
           ---------------------                                          
Loans, together with all interest accrued thereon, and amounts required pursuant
to Section 3.04, and all 

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
accrued and unpaid fees and other amounts outstanding hereunder, shall be
immediately due and payable, and the Commitments shall terminate, upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control.

     2.08 Repayment. The Company shall repay to the Banks on the Termination
          ---------
Date the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding on such date.

     2.09 Interest.
          -------- 

          (a) Each Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount
thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a rate per annum equal to the
Offshore Rate or the Base Rate, as the case may be (and subject to the Company's
right to convert to other Types of Loans under Section 2.04), plus the
                                                              ----    
Applicable Margin.

          (b) Interest on each Loan (including any Loan or any portion thereof
voluntarily prepaid pursuant to Section 2.06) shall be paid in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date.  Accrued and unpaid interest shall also be paid on the
date of any termination of the Commitments (including pursuant to Section 2.05
and 2.07) and, during the existence of any Noncompliance Event, interest shall
be paid on demand of the Agent at the request or with the consent of the
Majority Banks.

          (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, if any amount of
principal of or interest on any Loan (regardless of its Type), or any other
amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, is not paid in full
when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, demand or otherwise), the
Company agrees to pay interest on such unpaid principal or other amount from the
date such amount becomes due until the date such amount is paid in full, and
after as well as before any entry of judgment thereon, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, payable on demand, at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to
the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin plus two percent (2%); provided,
                                                                -------- 
however, that in respect of payments of principal or interest coming due in
- -------                                                                    
respect of any Offshore Rate Loan prior to the termination of its then current
Interest Period, the applicable rate shall be the Offshore Rate plus the
Applicable Margin plus two percent (2%) until the end of such then current
Interest Period (and thereafter shall be the Base Rate plus the Applicable
Margin plus two percent (2%)).

          (d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations
of the Company to any Bank hereunder shall be subject to the limitation that
payments of interest shall not be required for any period for which interest is
computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent) that contracting for
or receiving such payment by such Bank would be contrary to the provisions of
any law applicable to such Bank limiting the highest rate of interest that may
be lawfully contracted for, charged or received by such Bank, and in such event
the Company shall pay such Bank interest at the highest rate permitted by
applicable law.

     2.10 Fees.
          ---- 

          (a) Arrangement, Agency Fees.  The Company shall pay an arrangement
              ------------------------                                       
fee to the Agent for the Arranger's account, and shall pay an agency fee to the
Agent for the Agent's 

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
own account, as required by the letter agreement ("Fee Letter") between the
                                                   ----------
Company and the Arranger and Agent dated September 8, 1995.

               (b)  Commitment Fees.  The Company shall pay to the Agent for the
                    ---------------                                             
account of each Bank a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of
such Bank's Commitment, computed on a quarterly basis in arrears on the last
Business Day of each calendar quarter based upon the daily utilization for that
quarter as calculated by the Agent, equal to 0.30 percent per annum.  Such
commitment fee shall accrue from the Closing Date to the Termination Date and
shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each
quarter commencing with the quarter beginning on October 1, 1995 through the
Termination Date, with the final payment to be made on the Termination Date;
provided that, in connection with any termination of Commitments under Section
- --------                                                                      
2.05 or Section 2.07, the accrued commitment fee calculated for the period
ending on such date shall also be paid on the date of such termination, with the
following quarterly payment being calculated on the basis of the period from
such termination date to such quarterly payment date.  The commitment fees
provided in this subsection shall accrue at all times after the above-mentioned
commencement date, including at any time during which one or more conditions in
Article IV are not met.

               (c)  Closing Fees.  The Company shall pay to the Agent for the
                    ------------
account of each Bank on the Closing Date a closing fee equal to 0.1% of such
Bank's Commitment as of the Closing Date.

     2.11      Computation of Fees and Interest.
               --------------------------------

               (a)  All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the
Base Rate is determined by BofA's "reference rate" shall be made on the basis of
a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All
other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day
year and actual days elapsed (which results in more interest being paid than if
computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest and fees shall accrue during
each period during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day
thereof to the last day thereof.

               (b)  Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent shall be
conclusive and binding on the Company and the Banks in the absence of manifest
error. The Agent will, at the request of the Company or any Bank, deliver to the
Company or the Bank, as the case may be, a statement showing the quotations used
by the Agent in determining any interest rate and the resulting interest rate.

     2.12      Payments by the Company. 
               -----------------------

               (a)  All payments to be made by the Company shall be made without
set-off, recoupment or counterclaim. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, all payments by the Company shall be made to the Agent for the account
of the Banks at the Agent's Payment Office, and shall be made in dollars and in
immediately available funds, no later than 10:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) on
the date specified herein. The Agent will promptly distribute to each 

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
Bank its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as expressly provided herein)
of such payment in like funds as received. Any payment received by the Agent
later than 10:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) shall be deemed to have been received
on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue
to accrue.

               (b)  Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of
"Interest Period" herein, whenever any payment is due on a day other than a
Business Day, such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest
or fees, as the case may be.

               (c)  Unless the Agent receives notice from the Company prior to
the date on which any payment is due to the Banks that the Company will not make
such payment in full as and when required, the Agent may assume that the Company
has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date in immediately available
funds and the Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such
assumption, distribute to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the
amount then due such Bank. If and to the extent the Company has not made such
payment in full to the Agent, each Bank shall repay to the Agent on demand such
amount distributed to such Bank, together with interest thereon at the Federal
Funds Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank
until the date repaid.

     2.13      Payments by the Banks to the Agent.
               ---------------------------------- 

               (a)  Unless the Agent receives notice from a Bank on or prior to
the Closing Date or, with respect to any Borrowing after the Closing Date, at
least one Business Day prior to the date of such Borrowing, that such Bank will
not make available as and when required hereunder to the Agent for the account
of the Company the amount of that Bank's Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing, the
Agent may assume that each Bank has made such amount available to the Agent in
immediately available funds on the Borrowing Date and the Agent may (but shall
not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the
Company on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent any Bank shall
not have made its full amount available to the Agent in immediately available
funds and the Agent in such circumstances has made available to the Company such
amount, that Bank shall on the Business Day following such Borrowing Date make
such amount available to the Agent, together with interest at the Federal Funds
Rate for each day during such period. A notice of the Agent submitted to any
Bank with respect to amounts owing under this subsection (a) shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error. If such amount is so made available, such
payment to the Agent shall constitute such Bank's Loan on the date of Borrowing
for all purposes of this Agreement. If such amount is not made available to the
Agent on the Business Day following the Borrowing Date, the Agent will notify
the Company of such failure to fund and, upon demand by the Agent, the Company
shall pay such amount to the Agent for the Agent's account, together with
interest thereon for each day elapsed since the date of such Borrowing, at a
rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans
comprising such Borrowing.

               (b)  The failure of any Bank to make any Loan on any Borrowing
Date shall not relieve any other Bank of any obligation hereunder to make a Loan
on such Borrowing Date, 

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make the
Loan to be made by such other Bank on any Borrowing Date.

     2.14      Sharing of Payments, Etc.  If, other than as expressly provided
               ------------------------                                       
elsewhere herein, any Bank shall obtain on account of the Loans made by it any
payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of
set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share
contemplated hereunder), such Bank shall immediately (a) notify the Agent of
such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Banks such participations in the
Loans made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Bank to share
the excess payment pro rata with each of them; provided, however, that if all or
                                               --------  -------                
any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing
Bank, such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Bank shall
repay to the purchasing Bank the purchase price paid therefor, together with an
amount equal to such paying Bank's ratable share (according to the proportion of
(i) the amount of such paying Bank's required repayment to (ii) the total amount
so recovered from the purchasing Bank) of any interest or other amount paid or
payable by the purchasing Bank in respect of the total amount so recovered.  The
Company agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation from another Bank
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 10.10) with respect to
such participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of the
Company in the amount of such participation.  The Agent will keep records (which
shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of
participations purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the
Banks and the Company following any such purchases or repayments.

     2.15      Extension of Termination Date.  Upon (a) the written request of
               -----------------------------
the Company, received by the Agent not sooner than ninety (90) days nor later
than sixty (60) days prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date (and, if
extended, thereafter at any time during the third month prior to the then
current Termination Date), and (b) the written concurrence of all the Banks (in
the sole discretion of each Bank) which is received by the Agent not later than
thirty (30) days prior to the then current Termination Date, the Termination
Date shall be extended for an additional one-year period commencing on the then
current Termination Date. In the event such written concurrence from each and
every one of the Banks is not received by the Agent on or before thirty (30)
days prior to the then current Termination Date (after receipt by the Agent of
such request from the Company), the Termination Date shall not be extended. The
Agent will promptly notify each Bank of the receipt by it of a request under
this subsection.


                                  ARTICLE III

                     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
                     --------------------------------------

     3.01      Taxes.
               ----- 

               (a)  Any and all payments by the Company to each Bank or the
Agent under this Agreement and any other Loan Document shall be made free and
clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any Taxes. In addition, the
Company shall pay all Other Taxes. 

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  If the Company shall be required by law to deduct or
withhold any Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable
hereunder to any Bank or the Agent, then, subject to Section 3.01(f):

                    (i)    the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so
     that, after making all required deductions and withholdings (including
     deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under
     this Section), such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, receives an
     amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or
     withholdings been made;

                   (ii)    the Company shall make such deductions and
     withholdings;

                  (iii)    the Company shall pay the full amount deducted or
     withheld to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance
     with applicable law; and

                   (iv)    the Company shall also pay to each Bank or the Agent
     for the account of such Bank, at the time interest is paid, further taxes,
     withholdings or the like in the amount that the respective Bank specifies
     as necessary to preserve the after-tax yield such Bank would have received
     if such Taxes or Other Taxes had not been imposed.

               (c)  Subject to Section 3.01(f), the Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Bank and the Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other
Taxes (including any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts
payable under this Section 3.01) paid by the Bank or the Agent and any liability
(including penalties, interest, additions to tax and expenses) arising therefrom
or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly
or legally asserted. Payment under this indemnification shall be made within 30
days after the date the Bank or the Agent makes written demand therefor.

               (d)  Within 30 days after the date of any payment by the Company
of Taxes or Other Taxes, the Company shall furnish to each Bank or the Agent the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof, or other
evidence of payment satisfactory to such Bank or the Agent.

               (e)  If the Company is required to pay any amount to any Bank or
the Agent pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this Section, then such Bank
shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions)
to change the jurisdiction of its Lending Office so as to eliminate any such
additional payment by the Company which may thereafter accrue, if such change in
the sole judgment of such Bank is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank.

               (f)  The Company will not be required to pay any additional
amounts in respect of United States Federal income tax pursuant to subsection
3.01(b) to any Bank for the account of any Lending Office of such Bank:

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
           (i)   if the obligation to pay such additional amounts would not have
arisen but for a failure by such Bank to comply with its obligations under
Section 9.10 in respect of such Lending Office;

          (ii)   if such Bank shall have delivered to the Company a Form 4224 in
respect of such Lending Office pursuant to Section 9.10, and such Bank shall not
at any time be entitled to exemption from deduction or withholding of United
States Federal income tax in respect of payments by the Company hereunder for
the account of such Lending Office for any reason other than a change in United
States Requirement of Law or in the official interpretation of such Requirement
of Law by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof (whether or not having the force of law) after the date
of delivery of such Form 4224; or

          (iii)  if the Bank shall have delivered to the Company a Form 1001 in
respect of such Lending Office pursuant to Section 9.10, and such Bank shall not
at any time be entitled to exemption from deduction or withholding of United
States Federal income tax in respect of payments by the Company hereunder for
the account of such Lending Office for any reason other than a change in United
States Requirement of Law or in the official interpretation of any such
Requirement of Law by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation
or administration thereof (whether or not having the force of law) after the
date of delivery of such Form 1001.

          (g)  Each Bank and the Agent agrees that it will (i) take reasonable
actions to maintain all exemptions, if any, available to it from the United
States withholding taxes (whether available by treaty, existing administrative
waiver or otherwise) and (ii) otherwise cooperate with the Company to minimize
amounts payable by the Company under this Section 3.01; provided, however, that,
                                                        --------  -------
neither the Agent nor any Bank shall be obligated by reason of this subsection
3.01(g) to disclose any information regarding its tax affairs or tax
computations or to reorder its tax or other affairs or tax or other planning, or
to undertake any action that the Agent or such Bank deems to involve incurring
any risk of liability or cost to itself or which requires any expenditure of
effort that the Agent or such Bank deems unreasonable under the circumstances;
and provided further that this subsection 3.01(g) shall not limit the
    -------- -------                                                 
obligations of the Company under this Section 3.01.

     3.02      Illegality.
               ---------- 

               (a)  If any Bank determines that the introduction of any
Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law, or in the
interpretation or administration of any Requirement of Law, has made it
unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted
that it is unlawful, for any Bank or its applicable Lending Office to make
Offshore Rate Loans, then, on notice thereof by the Bank to the Company through
the Agent, any obligation of that Bank to make Offshore Rate Loans shall be
suspended until the Bank notifies the Agent and the Company that the
circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  If a Bank determines that it is unlawful to maintain any
Offshore Rate Loan, the Company shall, upon its receipt of notice of such fact
and demand from such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), prepay in full such
Offshore Rate Loans of that Bank then outstanding, together with interest
accrued thereon and amounts required under Section 3.04, either on the last day
of the Interest Period thereof, if the Bank may lawfully continue to maintain
such Offshore Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if the Bank may not
lawfully continue to maintain such Offshore Rate Loan. If the Company is
required to so prepay any Offshore Rate Loan, then concurrently with such
prepayment, the Company shall borrow from the affected Bank, in the amount of
such repayment, a Base Rate Loan.

               (c)  If the obligation of any Bank to make or maintain Offshore
Rate Loans has been so terminated or suspended, the Company may elect, by giving
notice to the Bank through the Agent that all Loans which would otherwise be
made by the Bank as Offshore Rate Loans shall be instead Base Rate Loans.

               (d)  Before giving any notice to the Agent under this Section,
the affected Bank shall designate a different Lending Office with respect to its
Offshore Rate Loans if such designation will avoid the need for giving such
notice or making such demand and will not, in the judgment of the Bank, be
illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to the Bank.

     3.03      Increased Costs and Reduction of Return.
               ----------------------------------------- 

               (a)  If any Bank determines that, due to either (i) the
introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or
regulation after the Closing Date or (ii) the compliance by that Bank with any
guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority
(whether or not having the force of law), which in either case was not announced
prior to the Closing Date, there shall be any increase in the cost to such Bank
of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining any Offshore Rate Loans,
then the Company shall be liable for, and shall from time to time, upon demand
(with a copy of such demand to be sent to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the
account of such Bank, additional amounts as are sufficient to compensate such
Bank for such increased costs.

               (b)  If any Bank shall have determined that (i) the introduction
of any Capital Adequacy Regulation, (ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy
Regulation, or (iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of any
Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental Authority
charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, which introduction or
change was not announced prior to the Closing Date, affects or would affect the
amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by the Bank or any
corporation controlling the Bank and (taking into consideration such Bank's or
such corporation's policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Bank's
desired return on capital) determines that the amount of such capital is
increased as a consequence of its Commitment, loans, credits or obligations
under this Agreement, then, upon demand of such Bank to the Company through the
Agent, the Company shall pay to the Bank, from time to time as specified by the
Bank, additional amounts sufficient to compensate the Bank for such increase.

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
     3.04      Funding Losses.  The Company shall reimburse each Bank and hold
               --------------
each Bank harmless from any loss or expense which the Bank may sustain or incur
as a consequence of:

               (a)   the failure of the Company to make on a timely basis any
payment of principal of any Offshore Rate Loan;

               (b)   the failure of the Company to borrow, continue or convert a
Loan after the Company has given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice of
Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation;

               (c)   the failure of the Company to make any prepayment in
accordance with any notice delivered under Section 2.06;

               (d)   the prepayment (including pursuant to Section 2.07) or
other payment (including after acceleration thereof) of an Offshore Rate Loan on
a day that is not the last day of the relevant Interest Period; or

               (e)   the automatic conversion under Section 2.04 of any Offshore
Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of the relevant
Interest Period;

including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment
of funds obtained by it to maintain its Offshore Rate Loans or from fees payable
to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. For purposes of
calculating amounts payable by the Company to the Banks under this Section and
under subsection 3.03(a), (i) each Offshore Rate Loan made by a Bank (and each
related reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be conclusively
deemed to have been funded at the LIBOR used in determining the Offshore Rate
for such Offshore Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the
interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period,
whether or not such Offshore Rate Loan is in fact so funded, and (ii) the last
day of any relevant Interest Period shall be determined without regard to clause
(iii) in the definition of Interest Period.

     3.05      Inability to Determine Rates.  If the Majority Banks determine
               ----------------------------
that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining
the Offshore Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed
Offshore Rate Loan, or that the Offshore Rate applicable pursuant to subsection
2.09(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Offshore
Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Banks of
funding such Loan, the Agent will promptly so notify the Company and each Bank.
Thereafter, the obligation of the Banks to make or maintain Offshore Rate Loans
hereunder shall be suspended until the Agent upon the instruction of the
Majority Banks revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt of such notice, the
Company may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation
then submitted by it. If the Company does not revoke such Notice, the Banks
shall make, convert or continue the Loans, as proposed by the Company, in the
amount specified in the applicable notice submitted by the Company, but such
Loans shall be made, converted or continued as Base Rate Loans instead of
Offshore Rate Loans.

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
     3.06      Certificates of Banks.  Any Bank claiming reimbursement or
               ---------------------                                     
compensation under this Article III shall deliver to the Company (with a copy to
the Agent) a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable
to the Bank hereunder (including a description in reasonable detail of the way
in which such amount was determined) and such certificate shall be conclusive
and binding on the Company in the absence of manifest error; provided, however,
                                                             --------- -------- 
that the Company shall not be liable for any such amount attributable to any
period prior to the date one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date of such
certificate.

     3.07      Survival.  The agreements and obligations of the Company in this
               --------                                                        
Article III shall survive the payment of all other Obligations; provided that
the obligation of the Company to make any payment under this Article III is
contingent upon receipt of the certificate described in Section 3.06 within one
hundred eighty (180) days of the repayment of all Loans and the termination of
the Commitments.

     3.08      Replacement.  If any Bank claims any additional reimbursement or
               -----------                                                     
compensation under this Article III (other than under Section 3.04) or if
Section 3.02 is applicable to such Bank, the Company shall have the right other
than during the existence of a Noncompliance Event to cause such Bank to be
replaced with a financial institution identified by the Company and willing to
become a "Bank" hereunder (a "Replacement Bank").  Any such Replacement Bank
                              ----------------                              
must be reasonably acceptable to the Agent and shall meet the requirements
specified for an Eligible Assignee, including the execution and delivery of such
documents required of each Assignee and the payment of such fees to the Agent as
required pursuant to Section 10.08(a).

                                  ARTICLE IV

                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
                             --------------------

     4.01      Conditions of Effectiveness. The effectiveness of the Commitment
               ---------------------------
of each Bank hereunder is subject to the condition that the Agent shall have
received on or before the Closing Date all of the following, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent and each Bank, and in sufficient copies for
each Bank:

               (a)  Credit Agreement.  This Agreement executed by each of the
                    ---------------- 
Company, the Agent and the Banks listed on the signature pages hereto (such that
the combined Commitments of the Banks executing this Agreement equal 100% of the
Commitments listed on Schedule 2.01);

               (b)  Resolutions; Incumbency.
                    ----------------------- 

                    (i)    Copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors
of the Company authorizing the transactions contemplated hereby, certified as of
the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company; and

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
                    (ii)   A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary
of the Company certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the
Company authorized to execute, deliver and perform, as applicable, this
Agreement, and all other Loan Documents to be delivered by it hereunder;

               (c)  Organization Documents; Good Standing. Each of the following
                    -------------------------------------                       
documents:

                    (i)   the articles or certificate of incorporation and the
bylaws of the Company as in effect on the Closing Date, certified by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company as of the Closing Date; and

                   (ii)   a good standing certificate for the Company from the
Secretary of State (or similar, applicable Governmental Authority) of its state
of incorporation and the states of California, Colorado and Florida, as of a
recent date, together with a bring-down certificate by facsimile, dated the
Closing Date;

               (d)  Legal Opinions.  Opinions of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich &
                    --------------
Rosati, special counsel to the Company, and Thomas Mulvaney, Esq., general
counsel to the Company, and addressed to the Agent and the Banks, collectively
substantially in the form of Exhibit E and Exhibit F, respectively;
                             ---------     ---------               

               (e)  Payment of Fees.  Evidence of payment by the Company of all
                    ---------------                                            
accrued and unpaid fees, costs and expenses to the extent then due and payable
on the Closing Date, together with Attorney Costs of BofA to the extent invoiced
prior to or on the Closing Date; including any such costs, fees and expenses
arising under or referenced in Sections 2.10 and 10.04;

               (f)  Certificate.  A certificate signed by a Responsible Officer,
                    -----------
dated as of the Closing Date, stating that:

                    (i)   the representations and warranties contained in
Article V are true and correct on and as of such date, as though made on and as
of such date;

                    (ii)   no Latent Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event
exists or would result from the initial Borrowing; and

                    (iii)   except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11 of
the Disclosure Letter, since June 30, 1995 there has occurred no Material
Adverse Effect;

               (g)  Financial Statements.  A certified copy of financial
                    --------------------
statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries referred to in Section 5.11;

               (h)  Certified Documents.  Certified copies of the 1991
                    -------------------
Indenture, 1992 Indenture, each as supplemented through the date hereof;

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
               (i)  Termination of Existing Facility Commitments.  A copy of
                    --------------------------------------------
written notice from the Company to BofA, as agent under the Existing Facility,
confirming that the Aggregate Commitment under the Existing Facility of the
Banks (as such terms are defined in the Existing Facility) shall terminate on
the Closing Date, and evidence satisfactory to BofA, as agent under the Existing
Facility, of waiver by such Banks of the three Business Days' prior notice
requirement in Section 2.5 of the Existing Facility for such notice;

               (j)  Disclosure Letter.  The Disclosure Letter, together with all
                    -----------------                                           
schedules required to be attached thereto, executed by the Company and
acknowledged by the Agent and the Banks; and

               (k)  Other Documents.  Such other approvals, opinions, documents
                    ---------------
or materials as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.

     4.02      Conditions to All Borrowings.  The obligation of each Bank to
               ----------------------------
make any Loan to be made by it (including its initial Loan) is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing
Date:

               (a)  Notice of Borrowing.  The Agent shall have received (with,
                    -------------------
in the case of the initial Loan only, a copy for each Bank) a Notice of
Borrowing;

               (b)  Continuation of Representations and Warranties.  The
                    ----------------------------------------------      
representations and warranties in Article V shall be true and correct on and as
of such Borrowing Date with the same effect as if made on and as of such
Borrowing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties
expressly refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct
as of such earlier date);

               (c)  Subordinated Debt Notices.  The Agent shall have previously
                    -------------------------                                  
received a copy of written notice, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent,
from the Company to the trustee under each of the 1991 Indenture, the 1992
Indenture, and any and all other trustees or creditors in respect of
Subordinated Debt outstanding as of such Borrowing Date, informing each such
Person that the Company has incurred or (upon such Borrowing Date) shall incur
"Senior Indebtedness" (or equivalent term, as defined in such Indentures)
pursuant to this Agreement;
      
               (d)  No Material Adverse Effect. Since September 30, 1995, no
                    --------------------------
Material Adverse Effect has occurred; and 

               (e)  No Noncompliance Event.  No Latent Noncompliance Event or
                    ----------------------                                   
Noncompliance Event shall exist or shall result from such Borrowing.

Each Notice of Borrowing submitted by the Company hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Company hereunder, as of the date of each
such notice and as of each Borrowing Date, that the conditions in this Section
4.02 are satisfied.

The representations, warranties and conditions set forth in this Article IV are
solely for the benefit of the Agent and the Banks, and the Agent with the
written consent of each of the Banks may waive any or all of such conditions in
whole or in part; provided that no such waiver of a

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
condition shall constitute a waiver by the Agent or Banks of any of their other
respective rights or remedies under this Agreement or otherwise at law or in
equity if the Company should be in default of any of its covenants, agreements,
representations or warranties under this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE V

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                        ------------------------------

     The Company represents and warrants to the Agent and each Bank that:

     5.01      Corporate Existence and Power.  The Company and each of its
               ----------------------------- 
Material Subsidiaries:

               (a)  is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation;

               (b)  has the power and authority and all governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals (i) to own its assets and carry on its
business, and (ii) to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the
Loan Documents to which it is a party;

               (c)  is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is licensed
and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership,
lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification or license; and

               (d)  is in compliance with all Requirements of Law;

except, in each case referred to in clause (b)(i), clause (c) or clause (d), to
the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     5.02      Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. The execution,
               -----------------------------------------
delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each other Loan
Document to which it is a party, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and do not and will not:

               (a)  contravene the terms of any of the Company's Organization
Documents;

               (b)  conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of,
or the creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any Contractual
Obligation to which the Company is a party or any order, injunction, writ or
decree of any Governmental Authority to which the Company or its Property is
subject; or

               (c)  violate any Requirement of Law.

     5.03      Governmental Authorization.  No approval, consent, exemption,
               --------------------------                                   
authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is necessary or required 

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement
against, the Company of this Agreement or any other Loan Documen t.

     5.04      Binding Effect.  This Agreement and each other Loan Document to
               --------------
which the Company is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

     5.05      Litigation.  Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.05 to
               ----------                                       ------------- 
the Disclosure Letter, there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or
disputes pending, or to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened or
contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental
Authority, against the Company, or its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective
Properties, which:

               (a)  purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or

               (b)  could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has
been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or
restrain the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, or directing that the transactions provided for herein or therein
not be consummated as herein or therein provided.

     5.06      No Noncompliance Event.  No Latent Noncompliance Event or
               ----------------------                                   
Noncompliance Event exists or would result from the incurring of any Obligations
by the Company.  As of the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in any respect
which, individually or together with all such defaults, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or that would, if such default had
occurred after the Closing Date, create a Noncompliance Event under subsection
8.01(e).

     5.07      ERISA Compliance.  Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule
               ----------------                                       --------
5.07 to the Disclosure Letter:
- ----

               (a)  Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state law.  Each
Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received
a favorable determination letter from the IRS (or a favorable determination
letter has been requested and is pending) and to the best knowledge of the
Company, nothing has occurred which would cause the loss of such qualification
(or a denial or withdrawal of such request).  The Company and each ERISA
Affiliate has made all required contributions to any Plan subject to Section 412
of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any
amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with
respect to any Plan.

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of Company,
threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority,
with respect to any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.  There has been no prohibited transaction
or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan
which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.

               (c)  (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to
occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii) neither
the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to
incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan
(other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv)
neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects
to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of
notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under
Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v)
neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that
could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

     5.08      Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.  The proceeds of the Loans
               -----------------------------------
are to be used solely for the purposes set forth in and permitted by Section
6.12. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is generally engaged in the
business of purchasing or selling Margin Stock or extending credit for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. No portion of the Loans will be
used, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry Margin Stock, to repay or
otherwise refinance indebtedness of the Company or others incurred to purchase
or carry Margin Stock, to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying any Margin Stock, or to make payments of principal or interest on
Ineligible Securities underwritten by any Section 20 Subsidiary and issued by or
for the benefit of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. No proceeds of
any Loans will be used to acquire any security in any transaction which is
subject to Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act; provided, that this sentence
shall not apply to the acquisition by the Company of its own securities.

     5.09      Title to Properties.  The Company and each Subsidiary have good
               -------------------                                            
record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in,
all real Property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of their respective
businesses, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  As of
the Closing Date, the Property of the Company and its Subsidiaries is subject to
no Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

     5.10      Taxes.  The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal,
               -----                                                           
state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have
paid all Federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or
assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being or will be
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in each case for which
adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP and no Notice of
Lien has been filed or recorded.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.10 of the
Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice
from any Governmental Authority of any deficiency in respect of 

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
any such return or report in an amount which, if assessed or required to be
paid, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.11      Financial Condition.
               ------------------- 

               (a)  The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries dated December 31, 1994, and the related
consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for the fiscal year ended on that date:

                    (i)   were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly
noted therein; and

                    (ii)  accurately and fairly present, in accordance with
GAAP, the consolidated financial condition of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and results of operations for the period
covered thereby;

               (b)  The consolidated balance sheet of the Company dated June 30,
1995, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the
fiscal quarter ended on that date:

                    (i)    were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly
noted therein; and

                    (ii)   accurately and fairly present in all material
respects, in accordance with GAAP, the consolidated financial condition of the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and results of
operations for the period covered thereby, subject only to normal year end
adjustments and the absence of complete footnotes.

               (c)  Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11 to the
                                                        -------------       
Disclosure Letter, since June 30, 1995, there has been no Material Adverse
Effect.

     5.12      Environmental Matters.  The Company conducts in the ordinary
               ---------------------
course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and
existing Environmental Claims on its business, operations and properties, and as
a result thereof:

               (a)  the Company has reasonably concluded that, except as
specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.12 to the Disclosure Letter, such
                          -------------
Environmental Laws and Environmental Claims could not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

               (b)  each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has obtained all
Environmental Permits necessary for its respective operations, and all such
Environmental Permits are in good standing, and the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries is in compliance with all terms and conditions of such Environ-
mental Permits, except where failure to obtain such Environmental 

                                      38
<PAGE>
 
Permits, maintain such Environmental Permits in good standing or be in
compliance with such Environmental Permits could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect;

               (c)  neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have
received any notice that any of their present Property or operations is subject
to any outstanding written order from or agreement with any Governmental
Authority or other Person, or subject to any judicial or docketed administrative
proceeding, respecting any Environmental Law, Environmental Claim or Hazardous
Material that could reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect; and

               (d)  there are no conditions or circumstances which may give rise
to any Environmental Claim arising from the operations of the Company or its
Subsidiaries, including Environmental Claims associated with any operations of
the Company or its Subsidiaries which, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.13      Regulated Entities.  None of the Company, any Person controlling
               ------------------
the Company, or any Subsidiary, is (a) an "Investment Company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940; or (b) subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act, any state public utilities code, or any other Federal
or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness.

     5.14      No Burdensome Restrictions.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.14
               --------------------------
of the Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to
or bound by any Contractual Obligation, or subject to any restriction in any
Organization Document, or any Requirement of Law, which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.15      Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, Etc.  Except as set
               -------------------------------------------------                
forth in Schedule 5.15 of the Disclosure Letter, the Company and its
Subsidiaries own or are licensed or otherwise have the right to use (or could
obtain ownership of licenses or rights on terms not materially adverse to such
Person and under circumstances that could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect) all of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade
names, copyrights, contractual franchises, authorizations and other rights that
are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses,
without conflict with the rights of any other Person except where such conflict
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the best
knowledge of the Company, no slogan or other advertising device, product,
process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now
contemplated to be employed, by the Company or any Subsidiary infringes upon any
rights held by any other Person, except where the consequence of any such
infringement could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
To the best knowledge of the Company, except as specifically disclosed in
Schedule 5.05 to the Disclosure Letter, no claim or litigation regarding any of
- -------------
the foregoing is pending or threatened, and no patent, invention, device,
application, principle or any statute, law, rule, regulation, standard or code
is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, proposed, which, in either case,
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      39
<PAGE>
 
     5.16      Subsidiaries; Business Operations.  As of the Closing Date, the
               ---------------------------------                              
Company has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in part (a)
of Schedule 5.16 to the Disclosure Letter hereto and has no equity investments
   -------------                                                              
in any other corporation or entity in excess of 10% of the outstanding voting
stock of such other corporation or entity other than those specifically
disclosed in part (b) of Schedule 5.16 to the Disclosure Letter.  As of the
                         -------------                                     
Closing Date, the Company maintains its primary domestic business operations in
the states of California, Colorado and Florida.

     5.17      Insurance.  The properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries
               --------- 
are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not
Affiliates of the Company, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering
such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses
and owning similar properties in localities where the Company or such Subsidiary
operates.

     5.18      Labor Relations.  As of the Closing Date there are no material
               ---------------                                               
strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against or
affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no significant unfair
labor practice complaint is pending against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened against any of
them before any Governmental Authority.  After the Closing Date, except as could
not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect individually or in
the aggregate, there are no strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes against
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and no significant unfair labor practice complaint is pending
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the
Company, threatened against any of them before any Governmental Authority.

     5.19      Internal Control.  The Company has established and maintains
               ----------------                                            
reasonable internal controls and reporting systems designed to insure that
Responsible Officers will be promptly informed of all material financial,
operational and compliance matters relevant to compliance with the provisions of
the Loan Agreements.

     5.20      Swap Obligations.  Neither the Company nor any of its
               ----------------
Subsidiaries has incurred any outstanding obligations under any Swap Contracts,
other than Permitted Swap Obligations. The Company has undertaken its own
independent assessment of its consolidated assets, liabilities and commitments
which could be the subject of risk management through the use of Swap Contracts
and has considered appropriate means of mitigating and managing risks associated
with such matters and has not relied on any swap counterparty or any Affiliate
of any swap counterparty in determining whether to enter into any Swap Contract.

     5.21      Full Disclosure.  None of the representations or warranties made
               ---------------
by the Company or any Subsidiary in the Loan Documents as of the date such
representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the
statements contained in any exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished
by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the Loan
Documents (including the offering and disclosure materials delivered by or on
behalf of 

                                      40
<PAGE>
 
the Company to the Banks prior to the Closing Date) taken together with all such
exhibits, reports, statements, certificates and reports filed with the SEC and
furnished to the Agent and the Banks, contains any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading as of the time when made or delivered;
provided, however, that it is recognized by the Agent and the Banks that
projections and forecasts provided by the Company, while reflecting the
Company's good faith projections or forecasts based upon methods and data the
Company believed to be reasonable and accurate when made, are not to be viewed
as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any
such projections and forecasts may differ from the projected or forecast
results. Nothing in the foregoing proviso shall in any way impair the Agent's
and the Banks' right to declare and enforce (subject to Section 8.02) a
Noncompliance Event if any representation or warranty by the Company in
connection with any Loan Document shall prove to be incorrect in any material
respect on or as of the date made or deemed made.

     5.22      Subordinated Debt.  As of the Closing Date, no Subordinated Debt
               -----------------
is outstanding other than the Subordinated Debt arising under the 1991 Indenture
and the 1992 Indenture. All of the Obligations consisting of principal, interest
or any other payment due pursuant to the terms hereof or of the other Loan
Documents, including fees, expenses, collection expenses (including attorneys'
fees), interest yield amounts, post-petition interest and taxes) constitute
"Senior Indebtedness" as such term is defined in the 1991 Indenture and the 1992
Indenture. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any payment
of principal or redemption of Subordinated Debt, except as permitted pursuant to
Section 7.08(b).


                                  ARTICLE VI

                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
                             ---------------------

     So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation (other than indemnity obligations of the Company pursuant to
Section 10.05 arising after the Termination Date) shall remain unpaid or
unsatisfied, unless the Majority Banks waive compliance in writing:

     6.01      Financial Statements.  The Company shall deliver to the Agent, in
               --------------------                                             
form and detail satisfactory to the Agent and the Majority Banks, with
sufficient copies for each Bank:

               (a)  as soon as available, but not later than 95 days after the
end of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the audited consolidated
balance sheet of the Company as at the end of such year and the related
consolidated statements of operations for such fiscal year, setting forth in
each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, and accompanied
by the unqualified opinion of Price Waterhouse or another nationally recognized
independent public accounting firm ("Independent Auditor") which report shall
                                     -------------------                      
state that such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position for the periods indicated in
conformity with GAAP;

                                      41
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  as soon as available, but not later than 95 days after the
     end of each fiscal year of the Company, an unaudited consolidating balance
     sheet of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries as at the end of such
     fiscal year and the related consolidating statement of operations for such
     fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, together with a certificate by an
     appropriate Responsible Officer in the form of Exhibit D; and
                                                    ---------     
               (c)  as soon as available, but not later than 50 days after the
     end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each year a copy of the
     unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such
     quarter and the related consolidated statements of income, and cash flows
     for the period commencing on the first day and ending on the last day of
     such quarter, and certified by an appropriate Responsible Officer that such
     consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects,
     the financial position and the results of operations of the Company and the
     Company's Consolidated Subsidiaries for the periods indicated in conformity
     with GAAP, subject only to normal year end adjustments and the absence of
     footnotes.

     6.02      Certificates; Other Information.  The Company shall furnish to
               -------------------------------
the Agent with sufficient copies for each Bank:

               (a)  concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
     referred to in subsections 6.01(a) and (c) above, a Compliance Certificate
     of a Responsible Officer, which shall include, among other things, a
     certification that as of the date of such Compliance Certificate the
     Company has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in a
     schedule thereto and has no equity investments in any other corporation or
     entity in excess of 10% of the outstanding voting stock of such other
     corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in a schedule
     thereto;

               (b)  promptly upon transmission thereof, copies of all such
     financial statements, proxy statements, notices and reports as the Company
     sends to its public stockholders generally, copies of all final
     registration statements on Form S-1 or Form S-3 (without exhibits) or their
     successor forms relating to offerings of debt or equity securities on
     behalf of the Company, and copies of all Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs, and Form
     8-Ks or their successor forms, and all amendments to such forms, that the
     Company or any Subsidiary may make to, or file with, the SEC;

               (c)  promptly upon receipt thereof by the Company, a copy of the
     final management letter, if any, submitted by the Company's independent
     accountants in connection with any annual audit made by them of the books
     of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and

               (d)  promptly, such additional business, financial and other
     information regarding the Company or any Subsidiary as the Agent, at the
     request of any Bank, may from time to time reasonably request (subject to
     the second proviso of Section 6.10 hereof).

                                      42
<PAGE>
 
     6.03      Notices.  The Company shall promptly after any Responsible
               -------
Officer becomes aware thereof notify the Agent and each Bank of each of the
following:

               (a)  the occurrence of any Latent Noncompliance Event or
Noncompliance Event;

               (b)  any matter that has resulted or can reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect, which matters may include (i) breach or
non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the
Company or any Subsidiary; or (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation,
proceeding or suspension between the Company or any Subsidiary and any
Governmental Authority;

               (c)  the commencement of, or any material and adverse pre-trial
judicial or administrative determination in, any litigation or proceeding
affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in which the amount of damages
claimed is $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies) or
more, in which injunctive or similar relief is sought and which could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or in which the relief sought is
an injunction or other stay of the performance of this Agreement or any Loan
Document or the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

               (d)  any of the following which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, any and all enforcement, cleanup, removal or
other governmental or regulatory actions instituted, completed or threatened
against the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any of their properties
pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws, all other Environmental Claims,
and any environmental or similar condition on any real Property adjoining or in
the vicinity of the Property of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
that could reasonably be anticipated to cause such Property or any part thereof
to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, transferability
or use of such Property under any Environmental Laws;

               (e)  any other litigation or proceeding affecting the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries which the Company would be required to report to the SEC
pursuant to the Exchange Act;

               (f)  the occurrence of any of the following events affecting the
Company or any ERISA Affiliate, and deliver to the Agent and each Bank a copy of
any notice with respect to such event that is filed with a Governmental
Authority and any notice delivered by a Governmental Authority to the Company or
any ERISA Affiliate with respect to such event:

                    (i)   an ERISA Event;

                    (ii)  a material increase in the Unfunded Pension Liability
     of any Pension Plan;

                                      43
<PAGE>
 
                    (iii)  the adoption of, or the commencement of contributions
     to, any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code by the Company or any ERISA
     Affiliate; or

                    (iv)   the adoption of any amendment to a Plan subject to
     Section 412 of the Code, if such amendment results in a material increase
     in contributions or Unfunded Pension Liability.

               (g)  any material change in accounting policies or financial
reporting practices by the Company or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries;
provided that the description of any such changes set forth in the Company's
filings with the SEC, when delivered to the Agent and the Banks, shall
constitute notice sufficient under this paragraph;

               (h)  any material labor controversy, including any strike, work
stoppage, boycott, shutdown or other labor disruption against or involving the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has continued for more than 15 days;

               (i)  the giving or receiving of any notices of prepayment,
redemption, repurchase or default under the 1991 Indenture, the 1992 Indenture,
any other agreement, instrument or document with respect to Subordinated Debt,
or any agreement entered into by the Company or its Subsidiaries after the date
hereof pursuant to which the Company is obligated in respect of debt for
borrowed money aggregating in excess of $15,000,000 (in the case of any one such
agreement);

               (j)  any actual Change of Control or the execution by the Company
of an agreement providing for or which would result in a Change of Control; and

               (k)  any transaction described in Section 7.03(b) hereof promptly
upon the consummation or effectiveness of the transactions contemplated by such
an agreement.

                    Each notice under this Section shall be accompanied by a
written statement by a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the
occurrence referred to therein, and stating what action the Company or any
affected Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time. Each
notice under subsection 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all
clauses or provisions of this Agreement or other Loan Document that have been
breached or violated.

     6.04      Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc.  The Company shall, and
               ---------------------------------------- 
shall cause each Material Subsidiary to:

               (a)  preserve and maintain in full force and effect its corporate
existence and good standing under the laws of its state or jurisdiction of
incorporation, except, with respect to any Material Subsidiary, in connection
with transactions permitted by Section 7.03 and disposition of assets permitted
by Section 7.02;

                                      44
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  preserve and maintain in full force and effect all
governmental rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and
franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except
where the failure to do so could not individually or in the aggregate be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and except in connection
with transactions permitted by Section 7.03 and sales of assets permitted by
Section 7.02;

               (c)  use reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course of business,
to preserve its business organization and goodwill, except, with respect to any
Material Subsidiary, in connection with transactions permitted by Section 7.03
and except, with respect to the Company, in connection with the agreements
entered into between the Company and Seagate as permitted by Section 7.03(c);
and

               (d)  preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks,
trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     6.05      Maintenance of Property.  The Company shall maintain, and shall
               -----------------------
cause each Material Subsidiary to maintain, and preserve all its Property which
is used or useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary
wear and tear excepted and make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and
replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as permitted by Section
7.02.

     6.06      Insurance.  The Company shall maintain, and shall cause each
               ---------
Material Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable
independent insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business
against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons
engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as
are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.

     6.07      Payment of Obligations.  The Company shall, and shall cause each
               ----------------------                                          
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all
their respective obligations and liabilities, to the extent that the nonpayment
thereof could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,
including:

               (a)  all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or
levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being or will be
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in each case adequate
reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Company or such
Subsidiary; and

               (b)  all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a
Lien upon its Property.

     6.08      Compliance with Laws.  The Company shall comply, and shall cause
               --------------------
each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all Requirements of Law
of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business
(including the Federal Fair Labor Standards 

                                      45
<PAGE>
 
Act), except such as may be contested in good faith or as to which a bona fide
dispute may exist, except where the failure to comply could not (a) impair or
adversely affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan
Document, including any remedy set forth therein; (b) result, directly or
indirectly, in any liability to the Agent or any Bank or cause the Agent or any
Bank to violate any Requirement of Law; or (c) reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect upon the operations, business, properties or
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as
a whole.

     6.09      Compliance with ERISA.  The Company shall, and shall cause each
               ---------------------
of its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or
state law; (b) cause each Plan which is qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code to maintain such qualification; and (c) make all required contributions to
any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code.

     6.10      Inspection of Property and Books and Records.  The Company shall
               --------------------------------------------                    
maintain and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain books of record and account
sufficient to permit the Company and its auditors to prepare financial
statements in accordance with GAAP.  The Company shall permit, and shall cause
each Subsidiary to permit, representatives and independent contractors of the
Agent or any Bank at the Agent's or such Bank's expense to visit and inspect any
of their respective properties, to examine their respective corporate, financial
and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to
discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective
directors, officers, and independent public accountants, at such reasonable
times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired,
upon reasonable advance notice to the Company; provided, however, when a
                                               --------  -------        
Noncompliance Event or Latent Noncompliance Event exists the Agent or any Bank
may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Company at any time during
normal business hours and without advance notice; provided, further, however,
                                                  --------  -------  ------- 
that the Company and its Subsidiaries will not be required to disclose, permit
the inspection, examination, copying or making extracts of, or discuss, any
portion of, any document, or any information, in respect of which and to the
extent that disclosure to the Agent or such Bank is then prohibited by law or by
agreement binding on the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and entered
into between the Company or any such Subsidiary and any Person not an Affiliate
of the Company and that was not entered into by the Company or such Subsidiary
for the purpose of concealing information from the Agent, the Banks or other
creditors having contract provisions similar to this Section in particular, and
in respect of which (in the case of any such agreement) a Responsible Officer
has provided the Agent with a certificate setting forth a brief description of
the agreement (including, without limitation, the nature and purpose of the
agreement, the parties to the agreement, and the provision of the agreement that
prohibits such disclosure), provided, however, that if disclosure of the
                            --------  -------
existence of any agreement is prohibited by the provisions thereof, such
certificate may state generally, with respect to such agreement, that there are
agreements pertaining to the matter as to which information was requested which
are binding on the Company or a Subsidiary and which prohibit disclosure of the
existence thereof. Nothing set forth in this Section 6.10 shall in any way
relieve the Company of its obligations to deliver documents pursuant to Sections
6.01, 6.02(a) through (c) or 6.03 hereof.

                                      46
<PAGE>
 
     6.11      Environmental Laws.  The Company shall, and shall cause each
               ------------------                                          
Subsidiary to, conduct its operations and keep and maintain its Property in
compliance with all Environmental Laws, except where the failure to do so could
not reasonably be expected to, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

     6.12      Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds of the Loans
               ---------------                                                 
solely for working capital and other general corporate purposes not in
contravention of any Requirement of Law or of any Loan Document; provided,
                                                                 -------- 
however, that the Company shall not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of
- -------                                                                       
the Loans for any Acquisition of any Person if such Acquisition has not been
approved by the board of directors (or other body exercising similar authority)
of such Person.

     6.13      Subordinated Debt Notices; Amendments.  Immediately upon
               -------------------------------------
incurring any Subordinated Debt (except to the extent that notice has been
provided pursuant to Section 4.02(c)), the Company shall send a written notice
to the trustee or creditors in respect of such Subordinated Debt, with a copy to
the Agent and the Banks, informing each such Person that the Company has
incurred or shall incur "Senior Indebtedness" (or equivalent term), as defined
in the 1991 Indenture and the 1992 Indenture) pursuant to this Agreement. At any
time as there exists a Noncompliance Event hereunder, the Company shall
immediately upon the receipt of a notice from the Agent, together with the
request by the Agent at the request of Banks holding in the aggregate the amount
of "Senior Indebtedness" (or equivalent term) as is necessary under the
applicable Subordinated Debt documentation to issue such notices, send by the
most expeditious means available written notices in the form specified by, and
in accordance with, Section 4.05 of the 1991 Indenture and the 1992 Indenture
(or other, equivalent section under other applicable documentation) to such
trustee or other Person, and to all other Persons entitled to such notice
pursuant to the terms of such indenture, with a copy to the Agent. The Company
irrevocably authorizes the Agent to prepare, execute and deliver a notice
substantially in the form of Exhibit H (or in such other form as may be
                             ---------   
appropriate to such indenture), in the event that the Company shall fail to
deliver promptly when required any of the foregoing notices required by this
Section 6.13. The Company shall provide the Agent and the Banks with copies of
all amendments, modifications, supplements or other changes to any of the
Subordinated Debt documents, promptly after execution thereof.

     6.14      Internal Controls.  The Company will maintain reasonable internal
               -----------------                                                
controls and reporting systems designed to insure that a Responsible Officer
will be promptly informed of all material financial, operational and compliance
matters relevant to compliance with the provisions of the Loan Agreements.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                              NEGATIVE COVENANTS
                              ------------------

     So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation (other than indemnity obligations of the Company pursuant to
Section 10.05 arising 

                                      47
<PAGE>
 
after the Termination Date) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the
Majority Banks waive compliance in writing:

     7.01      Limitation on Liens.  The Company shall not, nor shall it suffer
               -------------------
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make, create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of
its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following
"Permitted Liens"):
- -----------------   

               (a)  any Lien (i) identified on Schedule 7.01 and (ii) arising in
                                               -------------                    
connection with the Agreement dated as of September 1991 between the Company and
Isefi Finfactoring SpA, providing for the factoring by Isefi of receivables of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, provided, that the aggregate principal amount
                                  --------
secured by any such Lien shall not at any time exceed the Italian Lire
equivalent of $10,000,000 plus accrued interest;

               (b)  any Lien created under any Loan Document;

               (c)  Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental
charges which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty, or to the
extent that nonpayment thereof is permitted by Section 6.07, provided that no
Notice of Lien has been filed or recorded;

               (d)  Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
business,

                    (i)   in respect of leases, statutory obligations or claims
     or demands of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and
     other like Persons that are not yet due or that are being actively
     contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and in respect of which
     adequate reserves are carried on the books of the Person liable therefor to
     the extent required by GAAP,

                    (ii)   in connection with workers' compensation,
     unemployment insurance, social security and other like laws (other than
     ERISA),

                    (iii)  to secure the performance of letters of credit used
     in place of performance bonds, bids, leases, tenders, sales contracts,
     statutory obligations, government con tracts, surety and performance bonds
     and other similar obligations not incurred in connection with the borrowing
     of money, the obtaining of advances or the payment of the deferred purchase
     price of Property,

                    (iv)  incidental to the conduct of the Company's business
     or ownership of its Property, provided that,
                                   --------

                           (A)  such obligations shall not have arisen in
               connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances
               or credit, the sale of accounts receivable or the payment of the
               deferred purchase price of Property, and

                                      48
<PAGE>
 
                          (B)  such Liens shall not in the aggregate materially
               detract from the value of the Property encumbered thereby or
               materially interfere with the use of such Property in the
               ordinary conduct of the owning Person's business;

                    (v)   which constitute purchase money security interests
     with respect to advances or the payment of deferred purchase price in
     connection with the purchase of goods and services in the ordinary course
     of business, provided that such Lien attaches solely to the Property so
                  -------- ----
     acquired in such transaction;

                    (vi)  which constitute Liens with respect to conditional
     sale or other title retention agreements and any lease in the nature
     thereof, provided that any such Lien with respect to conditional sales or
              --------
     other title retention agreements encumbers only Property and accretions
     thereto (and proceeds arising from the disposition thereof) which are
     subject to such conditional sale or other title retention agreement or
     lease in the nature thereof and, provided, further, that the aggregate
                                      --------  -------
     amount secured by all such conditional sale or other title retention
     agreements and leases in the nature thereof shall not be more than
     $5,000,000 (it being understood that additional amounts may be so secured
     if permissible under any other provision of this Section 7.01);

               (e)  reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights-
of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions and other similar title exceptions
or encumbrances affecting real Property, provided such Liens do not interfere
                                         --------
with the use of such Property in the ordinary conduct of the business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

               (f)  Liens on Property of a Subsidiary of the Company to secure
obligations of such Subsidiary to the Company or another Subsidiary of the
Company;

               (g)  Liens with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations and
financing leases (together with any related interest), provided that such Liens
                                                       --------
encumber only Property and accretions thereto (and proceeds arising from the
disposition thereof) acquired with the proceeds of the Indebtedness secured
thereby;

               (h)  leases and subleases of, and licenses and sublicenses with
respect to, Property where the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company is the
lessor or licensor (or sublessor or sublicensor), provided that such leases,
                                                  --------
subleases, licenses and sublicenses do not in the aggregate materially interfere
with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

               (i)(i) Liens to secure appeal bonds, supersedeas bonds and other
similar Liens arising in connection with court proceedings (including, without
limitation, surety bonds and letters of credit) or any other instrument serving
a similar purpose, provided that the aggregate amount so secured, together with
                   --------                                                    
the aggregate amount secured pursuant to clause (ii) below, shall not at any
time exceed $5,000,000 (it being understood that additional amounts may be so
secured if permissible under any provision of this Section 7.01), and

                                      49
<PAGE>
 
                    (ii)   attachments, judgments and other similar Liens
     arising in connection with court proceedings, provided that the execution
                                                   --------
     or other enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and the claims
     secured thereby are being actively contested in good faith and by
     appropriate proceedings and, provided, further, that the aggregate amount
                                  --------  -------      
     so secured, together with the aggregate amount secured pursuant to clause
     (i) above, shall not exceed $5,000,000 (it being understood that additional
     amounts may be so secured if permissible under any other provision of this
     Section 7.01);

               (j)  Liens on the Property of any corporation at the time such
corporation becomes a Subsidiary of the Company, or such corporation is acquired
by, consolidated with or merged into the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company,
and Liens on any Property at the time acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary of
the Company, provided, in each case, that such Lien was not incurred in
             --------                                                  
contemplation of such transaction;

               (k)  any Lien permitted by this Section 7.01 securing
Indebtedness that is being renewed, extended or refunded, provided that the
                                                          --------
principal amount of such Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such renewal,
extension or refunding is not increased and such Lien is not extended to any
other Property (other than pursuant to its original terms);

               (l)  Purchase Money Mortgages, provided that each such Purchase
                                              --------
Money Mortgage (i) secures an amount not exceeding 100% of the lesser of the
cost (including liabilities assumed) or the fair market value at the time of
acquisition or construction of the Property to which it relates (as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors), and (ii) encumbers only Property and
accretions thereto (and proceeds arising from the disposition thereof) acquired
or constructed with the proceeds of the Indebtedness secured thereby;

               (m)  Liens which constitute rights of set-off of a customary
nature or bankers' Liens with respect to amounts on deposit, whether arising by
operation of law or by contract, in connection with working capital facilities,
lines of credit, term loans, or other credit facilities and similar arrangements
other than in connection with any Subordinated Debt entered into with banks in
the ordinary course of business (to the extent that such Indebtedness is
otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement);

               (n)  Liens on inventory, if any, arising in connection with any
arrangement pursuant to which the Company or a Subsidiary agrees to repurchase
inventory from a customer or a third party providing financing to a customer;
provided that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness so secured shall not at
- --------
any time exceed $50,000,000;

               (o)  Liens consisting of pledges of cash collateral or government
securities to secure on a mark-to-market basis Permitted Swap Obligations only,
provided that (i) the counterparty to any Swap Contract relating to any such
Permitted Swap Obligation is under a similar requirement to deliver similar
collateral from time to time to the Company or the Subsidiary party thereto on a
mark-to-market basis; and (ii) the aggregate value of such collateral so pledged
by the Company and the Subsidiaries together in favor of any counterparty does
not at any time exceed $10,000,000; 

                                      50
<PAGE>
 
               (p)  Liens arising in favor of a Subsidiary of the Company in
connection with transactions permitted pursuant to Section 7.02(f), provided
that such Liens do not extend to any assets or Property other than the Foreign
Receivables involved in such transaction;

               (q)  Liens arising in connection with a transaction permitted
under Section 7.15; and

               (r)  Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section 7.01 on
Property of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that, as of
                                                          -------- 
each Determination Date, the amount of

                    (i)   all Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted only by
     this subsection 7.01(r), plus
                              ----

                    (ii)  all Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Company (other
     than Indebtedness owed by a Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or
     another Subsidiary of the Company) and all Preferred Stock of the Company's
     Subsidiaries (other than such Preferred Stock owned by the Company or
     another Subsidiary of the Company),

(without duplication) does not exceed 15% of Tangible Net Worth, in each case
determined as of such Determination Date; and further provided that such Liens
                                              ------- --------                
do not secure indebtedness for borrowed money loans or advances (which should
not be deemed to include receivables factoring).

     7.02      Dispositions of Assets.  The Company shall not, nor shall it
               ----------------------
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) (collectively, "Transfers") any of its assets, business or
                              ---------                               
Property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or without recourse) or
enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing, except:

               (a)  Transfers, consistent with its past practices, of used, 
worn-out or surplus Property;

               (b)  Transfers of equipment to the extent that such equipment is
exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement equipment
or the proceeds of such sale are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase
price of such replacement equipment;

               (c)  Transfers in the ordinary course of its business;

               (d)  Transfers to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not
otherwise prohibited by Section 7.06;

                                      51
<PAGE>
 
               (e)  Transfers which (i) constitute dispositions of cash or Cash
Equivalents not prohibited by this Agreement, (ii) constitute Investments which
are permitted under Section 7.04 hereof, or (iii) constitute the liquidation of
any Permitted Investment; and

               (f)  Transfers permitted pursuant to Section 7.15;

               (g)  Transfers of Foreign Receivables, in an aggregate amount
outstanding at any time not to exceed $100,000,000,  to a Subsidiary of the
Company for the purpose of issuing debt or equity securities in respect thereto
in one or more securitization, factoring or similar financing transactions with
respect to such transferred Foreign Receivables; and

               (h)  any other Transfers, provided that the aggregate net book
value of all Transfers not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 7.02
does not exceed 33-1/3% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company calculated
as of the last day of the preceding fiscal year.

     7.03      Consolidations and Mergers.
               -------------------------- 

               (a)  The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, merge, consolidate or combine with or into, or Transfer or
otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions)
all or substantially all of its business or assets (whether now owned or
hereafter acquired) to or in favor of, any Person, except (i) any Subsidiary of
the Company (other than a Subsidiary created for such purpose) may merge,
consolidate or combine with or into, the Company (provided that the Company
shall be the continuing or surviving corporation) or with any one or more
Subsidiaries of the Company (provided that if any transaction shall be between a
                             --------                                           
Subsidiary of the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, the
Wholly Owned Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving corporation), or
(ii) any Subsidiary of the Company may, and (so long as the Company is the
surviving corporation) the Company may, merge, consolidate or combine with or
into any Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, but only
as expressly permitted pursuant to subsection 7.03(b); and

               (b)  the Company shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, do any of the following, or enter into any agreement or
make any offer to do any of the following: (i) merge, consolidate or combine
with or into any Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company,
or (ii) purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, all or
substantially all of the assets of any Person, business or division other than
of or from the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, or (iii) purchase or
otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, in excess of 50% of the voting stock
or equity of any Person other than a Subsidiary of the Company; provided that
                                                                --------
the Company and its Subsidiaries may enter into agreements, make offers and
engage in the transactions described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this
subsection if:

                      (A)  the amount of all consideration payable (including by
               assumption of liabilities and the fair market value of Property
               other than cash paid, including any consideration paid in the
               form of equity) by the Company or 

                                      52
<PAGE>
 
               any such Subsidiary (other than to the Company or a Wholly Owned
               Subsidiary of the Company), when added to the amount of all
               consideration paid or assumed by the Company and all of its
               Subsidiaries for all prior transactions undertaken after the
               Closing Date which would not be permitted under this subsection
               7.03(b) but for this proviso, is not greater than 33-1/3% of
               Consolidated Total Assets of the Company calculated as of the
               last day of the preceding fiscal year, and

                      (B)  at such time and immediately after giving effect
               thereto, no Latent Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event
               would exist.

               (c)  Notwithstanding anything in subsection 7.03 (a) or (b) to
the contrary, the Company may enter into or suffer to exist an agreement to
merge or consolidate with or into Seagate or a subsidiary of Seagate; provided,
                                                                      --------
however, that upon the consummation or effectiveness of the transactions
- -------
contemplated by such agreement, a Change in Control with respect to the Company
shall occur and, pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, the principal amount of the
outstanding Loans, together with all interest and fees accrued thereon and all
other amounts outstanding hereunder, including amounts required to be paid
pursuant to Section 3.04, shall be immediately due and payable at such time, and
the Commitments shall terminate at such time.

     7.04      Loans and Investments.  The Company will not and will not
               ---------------------                                    
permit any of its Subsidiaries to purchase or make or agree to make any
Investments (including to any corporation proposed to be acquired or created as
a Subsidiary) other than the following (collectively, "Permitted Investments"):
                                                       ---------------------   

               (a)  Investments permitted by the Company's or such Subsidiary's
Board of Directors approved investment policy, as amended from time to time;

               (b)  Investments in or to the Company or its Subsidiaries and
Investments in or to companies which simultaneously with such Investments become
Subsidiaries of the Company, and guarantees by the Company of the obligations of
its Subsidiaries and guarantees by Subsidiaries of the Company of obligations of
the Company or other Subsidiaries of the Company;

               (c)  Investments arising from transactions by the Company or its
Subsidiaries with customers or suppliers (including Investments received in
settlement of trade receivables which trade receivables are fully reserved
against on the books of the Company or such Subsidiary or are less than one year
overdue) in the ordinary course of business;

               (d)  notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other credit
extensions to, customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

               (e)  guarantees by the Company and its Subsidiaries of the
obligations of Subsidiaries of the Company and of vendors and suppliers of such
Subsidiaries or the Company, in each case in respect of transactions of such
Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business of such
Subsidiaries and such vendors and suppliers and directly related to the business

                                      53
<PAGE>
 
conducted by such vendors and suppliers with such Subsidiaries or the Company,
as the case may be;

               (f)  Investments existing on the Closing Date and listed on
Schedule 7.04(f) and Investments in cash or Cash Equivalents;
- ----------------

               (g)  Investments constituting Permitted Swap Obligations or
payments or advances under Swap Contracts relating to Permitted Swap
Obligations; and

               (h)  Investments not otherwise permitted by the other provisions
of this Section 7.04, if, on the date of the making of any such Investment, and
after giving effect to such Investment, no Latent Noncompliance Event or
Noncompliance Event exists or would occur and the sum of (i) the difference
between (A) the aggregate cost of all Investments outstanding on such date made
pursuant to this subsection 7.04(h), minus (B) the net return of capital
received by the Company and its Subsidiaries on or prior to such date from all
Investments made pursuant to this subsection 7.04(h) during the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending on such date, plus (ii) the aggregate
amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to clause (iv) of subsection 7.08(a)
(and not otherwise permitted under subsection 7.08(a)) during the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending on such date, does not exceed the
greater of $100 million or 25% of Tangible Net Worth.

Notwithstanding any provision in this Section 7.04 to the contrary, none of the
following shall constitute "Investments" for purposes of this Section 7.04 if,
both before and after giving effect thereto, no Latent Noncompliance Event or
Noncompliance Event exists:

                    (i)  Any distributions paid or made in respect of the stock
      of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (whether in cash, Property
      or stock of the Company or any such Subsidiary), and

                   (ii)  Any payments (whether in cash, Property or stock of the
      Company or any Subsidiary) to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any
      stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

provided, in each case, (A) that any such distribution or payment is otherwise
permitted under the terms of this Agreement or consented to in writing by the
Majority Banks, and (B) if any such distribution or payment is changed from the
form in which it was received, it must comply with the provisions of this
Section 7.04 or otherwise be consented to in writing by the Majority Banks. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "stock" shall include warrants,
options and other rights to purchase stock.

For purposes of calculating compliance with this covenant, with respect to any
Investment denominated other than in Dollars, the equivalent in Dollars of any
such other Investment on the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Company
shall be deemed the amount of such Investment.

                                      54
<PAGE>
 
     7.05      Amendments to Subordinated Debt Instruments.  The Company shall
               -------------------------------------------
not amend or agree to amend any instrument, agreement or other documentation
relating to Subordinated Debt; provided, however that the Company may enter into
agreements or amendments in connection with transactions expressly permitted
pursuant to Section 7.08(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the prior
written consent of the Majority Lenders and the Agent, the Company shall not
amend or agree to amend any instrument, agreement or other documentation
relating to Subordinated Debt that in any way affects any subordination
provisions thereof, or any repayment schedule with respect thereto so as to
cause any principal amount thereof to be payable earlier than is provided as of
the Closing Date, or any other provisions in any manner adverse to the Banks.

     7.06      Transactions with Affiliates.  The Company shall not and shall
               ----------------------------
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate of the Company or of any such Subsidiary except:

               (a)  in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to the
reasonable requirements of the business of the Company or such Subsidiary and
upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or such
Subsidiary than would obtain in a comparable arm's-length transaction with a
Person not an Affiliate of the Company or such Subsidiary;

               (b)  if such transaction relates to the compensation of an
Affiliate who is an officer, director or employee of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, such transaction (i) is in the best interests of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (ii) (A) has been approved
by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, and
(B) at the time of such transaction, the Company is required to file reports
pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act; or

               (c)  transactions between Subsidiaries of the Company and
transactions between the Company and a Subsidiary of the Company on terms fair
and reasonable to the Company and undertaken by the Company in good faith.

     7.07      Compliance with ERISA.  The Company shall not directly or
               ---------------------
indirectly and shall not permit any ERISA Affiliate directly or indirectly to,
(i) terminate any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA so as to result in any
material liability to the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, (ii) permit to exist
any ERISA Event which presents the risk of a material liability of the Company
or any ERISA Affiliate, or (iii) make a complete or partial withdrawal (within
the meaning of ERISA Section 4201) from any Multiemployer Plan so as to result
in any material liability to the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, (iv) enter into
any new Plan or modify any existing Plan (except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice) which could reasonably be expected to
create Unfunded Pension Liabilities with respect to such Plan in an amount which
exceeds $30,000,000, or (v) permit the Unfunded Pension Liabilities under any
Plan to exceed $30,000,000.

                                      55
<PAGE>
 
     7.08      Restricted Payments.
               ------------------- 

               (a)  The Company shall not declare or make any dividend payment
or other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or
securities on account of any shares of any class of its capital stock or
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value (or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to do so) any shares of its capital stock or any warrants, rights
or options to acquire such shares, now or hereafter outstanding (collectively,
Restricted Payments"); except that (i) the Company may declare and make dividend
- -------------------    -----------                                              
payments or other distributions payable solely in its capital stock and may
redeem rights issued pursuant to a stockholders rights plan, provided that
                                                             --------     
immediately after giving effect to any such proposed action, no Latent
Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event would exist; (ii) any Subsidiary of
the Company may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions of
assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on account of any
shares of any class of its capital stock or redeem or otherwise acquire for
value any shares of its capital stock or any warrants, rights or options to
acquire such shares, to or from the Company or to or from a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) the Company may repurchase shares of capital
stock or warrants, rights or options to acquire such shares from employees or
directors pursuant to repurchase rights set forth in employment, stock purchase,
stock option or similar agreements with such employees or directors; and (iv)
the Company and its Subsidiaries may make such other Restricted Payments (other
than the declaration or making by the Company of any dividend payment on account
of any shares of any class of its capital stock) if, on the date of making such
Restricted Payment, and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the sum
of (A) the difference between (I) the aggregate cost of all Investments
outstanding on the date of such Restricted Payment made pursuant to subsection
7.04(g), minus (II) the net return of capital received by the Company and its
Subsidiaries on or prior to such date from all Investments made pursuant to
subsection 7.04(g) during the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending
on such date, plus (B) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant
to this clause (iv) of subsection 7.08(a) (and not otherwise permitted under
this subsection 7.08(a)) during the period commencing on the Closing Date and
ending on such date, does not exceed the greater of $100 million or 25% of
Tangible Net Worth on such date, provided that immediately after giving effect
                                 --------                                     
to any such proposed action, no Latent Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance
Event would exist.

               (b)  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, make any payment of principal or redemption of Subordinated
Debt, other than mandatory prepayments or mandatory redemptions scheduled at the
time of issuance of such Subordinated Debt, or otherwise purchase or acquire any
Subordinated Debt, directly or indirectly, or give any notice that irrevocably
binds it to take any such action; provided, however, that as long as no Latent
                                  --------  -------                           
Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event shall exist immediately prior to, or
immediately after, the consummation of any such action, (i) the Company may
refinance Subordinated Debt by issuing additional Subordinated Debt (the terms,
conditions and provisions of which shall be approved by the Majority Banks and
the Agent in writing in advance) in an amount equal to or exceeding the amount
required to redeem any Subordinated Debt, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary may
purchase or acquire Subordinated Debt in exchange for its equity securities, and
(iii) the Company or any Subsidiary may purchase or acquire Subordinated Debt
for cash in privately negotiated or open-market transactions, provided, that (A)
                                                              --------          
the aggregate cash 

                                      56
<PAGE>
 
payable by the Company or its Subsidiary in connection with any such purchase or
acquisition shall be equal to or less than the stated par amount of the
Subordinated Debt being purchased or acquired, plus accrued interest thereon
pursuant to the terms of such Subordinated Debt, (B) the aggregate cash payable
by the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with all such purchases and
acquisitions occurring on or after the Closing Date shall not exceed
$100,000,000, and (C) at the time of any such purchase or acquisition and
immediately thereafter, no Latent Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event
exists. Purchases and acquisitions of Subordinated Debt by the Company made in
accordance with this Section 7.08(b) shall not constitute Restricted Payments
for purposes of Section 7.08(a).

     7.09      Leverage Ratio.  The Company shall not, as of the end of any
               --------------                                              
fiscal quarter, suffer or permit the ratio of (a) Total Liabilities, less the
aggregate principal amount outstanding of Subordinated Debt as of the date of
determination, to (b) Tangible Net Worth, plus the aggregate principal amount
outstanding of Subordinated Debt as of the date of determination, to be greater
than 1.10 to 1.00.

     7.10      Minimum Tangible Net Worth.  The Company shall not suffer or
               -------------------------- 
permit its Tangible Net Worth as of the end of any fiscal quarter to be less
than

                    (i)    $260,000,000, plus
                                         ----

                    (ii)   50% of Consolidated Net Income from July 1, 1995
     through the end of each fiscal quarter thereafter, determined quarterly on
     a consolidated basis and not reduced by any quarterly loss, plus 
                                                                 ----

                    (iii)  75% of the Net Proceeds received by the Company of
     any sale of common stock of the Company by or for the account of the
     Company, (but excluding any sale of stock which is not made to the public
     generally, including, without limitation, sales to employees, directors,
     and consultants), occurring on or after July 1, 1995, plus
                                                           ----

                    (iv)   (without duplication) 75% of the amount by which the
     consolidated Tangible Net Worth of the Company is increased, in accordance
     with GAAP, due to conversions of Indebtedness to equity occurring on or
     after the July 1, 1995, minus
                             -----

                    (v)    the cumulative amount, not to exceed $75,000,000, of
     write-offs (taken in accordance with GAAP) associated with any Acquisitions
     by the Company or its Subsidiaries, minus
                                         -----

                    (vi)   the cumulative amount, not to exceed $45,000,000, of
     write-offs (taken in accordance with GAAP) associated with restructuring of
     operations; provided, however, that in determining such amount, no amount
     of any write-off taken in any fiscal quarter with respect to any
     restructuring of the Company's or any Subsidiary's United States' domestic
     operations shall be included if, for such fiscal quarter, the Company (on a
     consolidated basis) shall have had an operating loss.

                                      57
<PAGE>
 
     7.11      Quick Ratio.  The Company shall not suffer or permit, as of the
               -----------
end of each fiscal quarter, its ratio (determined on a consolidated basis) of
(a) cash plus the value of all Cash Equivalents (valued in accordance with
GAAP), plus the amount of Eligible Receivables, net of any allowance for
doubtful accounts, to (b) current liabilities (determined in accordance with
GAAP) and including Loans not already included as current liabilities, to be
less than 0.90 to 1.00.

     7.12      Profitability.  The Company, on a consolidated basis, shall not
               -------------
incur or suffer or permit to be incurred in any one fiscal quarter or in any two
consecutive fiscal quarters (on a rolling basis), and determined on the last day
of each fiscal quarter, an operating loss or a net loss in excess of the greater
of (i) $50,000,000 and (ii) 10% of Tangible Net Worth as determined on the last
day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, all as determined in accordance
with GAAP. For purposes of this Section 7.12, the financial performance of the
Company, on a consolidated basis, shall exclude write-offs taken (in accordance
with GAAP) after the Closing Date with respect to (a) any Acquisitions by the
Company or its Subsidiaries up to a maximum cumulative amount of $75,000,000,
and (b) any restructuring of operations up to a maximum cumulative amount of
$45,000,000, provided, however, that no amount of any write-off taken in any
fiscal quarter with respect to any restructuring of the Company's or any
Subsidiary's United States' domestic operations shall be included if, for such
fiscal quarter, the Company (on a consolidated basis) shall have had an
operating loss.

     7.13      Change in Business.  The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
               ------------------
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any material respect in any
businesses other than the businesses as carried on at the date hereof, together
with businesses which are appropriate extensions of or are reasonably related or
incidental to the current businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

     7.14      Accounting Changes.  The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
               ------------------ 
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any significant change in accounting
treatment and reporting practices, except as permitted by GAAP, or change,
suffer or permit to be changed the fiscal year of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

     7.15      Sale/Leaseback Transactions.  The Company shall not, and shall
               ---------------------------
not suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, undertake any Sale/Leaseback
Transaction which would cause the Sale/Leaseback Transaction Amount to exceed
$150 million at any time.

                                      58
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE VIII

                             NONCOMPLIANCE EVENTS
                             --------------------

     8.01      Noncompliance Events. Any of the following shall constitute a
               --------------------
"Noncompliance Event":
 -------------------
 
               (a)  Non-Payment.  The Company fails to pay, (i) when and as
                    -----------
required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within
three Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest payable on any Loan
or any amount required by Section 2.10 hereof, or (iii) within thirty (30) days
of the date any written request therefor is given, any fees, expenses, costs,
indemnity and reimbursement obligations and other Obligations arising and
outstanding from time to time hereunder or under any other Loan Document other
than (a) the principal amount of the Loans, (b) interest accrued thereon (or on
accrued interest), and (c) fees described in Section 2.10; or

               (b)  Representation or Warranty.  Any representation or warranty
                    -------------------------- 
by the Company made or deemed made herein, in any other Loan Document, or which
is contained in any certificate, document or financial or other written
statement by the Company or any Responsible Officer, furnished at any time under
this Agreement, or in or under any other Loan Document, is incorrect in any
material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or

               (c)  Specific Noncompliance Events.  The Company fails to perform
                    ----------------------------- 
or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 6.13 or Article
VII; or

               (d)  Other Noncompliance Events.  The Company fails to perform or
                    --------------------------                                  
observe any other term or covenant contained in this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days
after the earlier of (i) the date upon which a Responsible Officer of the
Company knew or should have known of such failure or (ii) the date upon which
written notice thereof is given to the Company by the Agent or any Bank; or

               (e)  Cross-Default.  The Company or any Subsidiary (i) fails to
                    -------------
make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation (other
than in respect of Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount
(including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to
all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than
$10,000,000 when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment,
acceleration, demand, or otherwise) and such failure continues after the
applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating
thereto; or (ii) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant, or
any other event shall occur or condition exist, under any agreement or
instrument relating to any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation (in such
aggregate principal amount) other than in respect of any Swap Contract, and such
failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified
in the document relating thereto if the effect of such event or condition is to
cause or to permit the holder or 

                                      59
<PAGE>
 
holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such
Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or
beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause such Indebtedness to be declared to be
due and payable prior to its stated maturity, or to be paid upon demand, or
require the repurchase of such Indebtedness, or if in respect of any Contingent
Obligation, to compel the Company or such Subsidiary to deliver cash collateral
(including in the form of Cash Equivalents) in an amount exceeding $10,000,000;
or (iii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as
defined in such Swap Contract) or similar defined event resulting from (1) any
event of default under such Swap Contract as to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (or similar term as defined in such Swap
Contract) or (2) any Termination Event ( as so defined) or similar defined event
as to which the Company or any Subsidiary is an Affected Party (or similar term
as so defined), and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by the
Company or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than $10,000,000;
provided, however, that no Noncompliance Event shall exist under this subsection
- --------  -------
8.01(e) solely as a result of the voluntary prepayment or redemptions of
Indebtedness by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the absence of
any event of default thereunder; or

               (f)  Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings.  (i) The Company is or
                    ---------------------------------
becomes not Solvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its
inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to applicable grace
periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or otherwise; or (ii) the Company or
any of its Material Subsidiaries (A) commences any Insolvency Proceeding; (B)
acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator
for itself or a substantial portion of its Property, assets or business or
effects a plan or other arrangement with its creditors; (C) admits the material
allegations of a petition filed against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or (D)
takes any action to effectuate any of the foregoing; or (iii) the Company and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis are or become not Solvent; or

               (g)  Involuntary Proceedings.  (i) Any involuntary Insolvency
                    -----------------------                                 
Proceeding is commenced or filed against the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar
process, is issued or levied against a substantial part of the Company's or any
of its Subsidiaries' Property, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be
dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar
process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after
commencement, filing or levy; (ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries admits
the material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding,
or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any
Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator,
liquidator, mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person
for itself or a substantial portion of its Property or business; or

               (h)  ERISA.  (i) An ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a
                    -----
Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted in or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) the aggregate amount of
Unfunded Pension Liability among all Pension Plans at any time exceeds
$30,000,000; or (iii) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall fail to 

                                      60
<PAGE>
 
pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any
installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201
of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of
$40,000,000; or

               (i)  Monetary Judgments.  One or more final judgments, orders,
                    ------------------
decrees or arbitration awards is entered against the Company or any Subsidiary
involving in the aggregate a liability of $50,000,000 or more (excluding amounts
covered by insurance provided by a Person not an Affiliate of the Company under
a policy to the extent to which such insurer has not contested coverage) as to
any single or related series of transactions, incidents or conditions, and the
same shall remain unvacated, undischarged (other than by payment thereof), and
unstayed pending appeal for a period of 45 consecutive days after the entry
thereof; or

               (j)  Non-Monetary Judgments.  Any non-monetary judgment, order or
                    ----------------------                                      
decree is entered against the Company or any Subsidiary which does or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be any
period of 45 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in
effect, unless such judgment, order or decree shall, within such 45-day period,
be vacated or discharged (other than by satisfaction thereof); or

               (k)  Change of Control.  There occurs any Change of Control; or
                    -----------------                                         
 
               (l)  Invalidity of Subordination Provisions.  The  subordination
                    --------------------------------------                     
provisions of the 1991 Indenture, the 1992 Indenture, or any agreement or
instrument governing any other Subordinated Debt are for any reason revoked or
invalidated, or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect.

     8.02      Remedies.  If any Noncompliance Event occurs, the Agent shall, at
               --------
the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Majority Banks,

               (a)  declare the Commitment of each Bank to make Loans to be
terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall be terminated;

               (b)  declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding
Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and
payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company; and

               (c)  exercise on behalf of itself and the Banks all rights and
remedies available to it and the Banks under the Loan Documents or applicable
law;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection
- --------  -------                                                               
(f) or (g) of Section 8.01 (in the case of clause (i) of subsection (g) upon the
expiration of the 60-day period mentioned therein) (an "Insolvency Event"), the
                                                        ----------------       
obligation of each Bank to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the
unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest 

                                      61
<PAGE>
 
and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable
without further act of the Agent or any Bank; and provided further that if at
                                                  -------- -------
the time any Noncompliance Event other than an Insolvency Event or as a result
of a Change of Control occurs or exists no Loan or other monetary Obligation is
outstanding (or, unless paid as and when due, becomes outstanding), the Banks
shall have no right to terminate their respective Commitments or exercise any
other rights or remedies with respect to the Company available as a consequence
of such Noncompliance Event. Nothing in this Section 8.02 shall require any Bank
to make any Loan unless, at the time of making such Loan, all of the conditions
precedent to making such Loan required pursuant to Section 4.02, including
Section 4.02(d), shall have been and remain satisfied.

     8.03      Rights Not Exclusive.  The rights provided for in this Agreement
               --------------------
and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under
any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

     8.04      Certain Financial Covenant Defaults.  In the event that, after
               ----------------------------------- 
taking into account any extraordinary charge to earnings taken or to be taken as
of the end of any fiscal period of the Company (a "Charge"), and if solely by
                                                   ------
virtue of such Charge, there would exist a Noncompliance Event due to the breach
of any of Sections 7.09, 7.10, 7.11 or 7.12 as of such fiscal period end date,
such Noncompliance Event shall be deemed to arise upon the earlier of (a) the
date after such fiscal period end date on which the Company announces publicly
it will take, is taking or has taken such Charge (including an announcement in
the form of a statement in a report filed with the SEC) or, if such announcement
is made prior to such fiscal period end date, the date that is such fiscal
period end date, and (b) the date the Company delivers to the Agent its audited
annual or unaudited quarterly financial statements in respect of such fiscal
period reflecting such Charge as taken.


                                  ARTICLE IX

                                   THE AGENT
                                   ---------

     9.01      Appointment and Authorization; "Agent."  Each Bank hereby
               -------------------------------------
irrevocably (subject to Section 9.09) appoints, designates and authorizes the
Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement
and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties
as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this
Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Agent shall not have any duties or
responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Agent
have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Bank, and no
implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
otherwise exist against the Agent. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing sentence, the use of the term 
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
"agent" in this Agreement with reference to the Agent is not intended to connote
any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency
doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of
market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative
relationship between independent contracting parties.

     9.02      Delegation of Duties.  The Agent may execute any of its duties
               --------------------
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees
or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects with
reasonable care.

     9.03      Liability of Agent.  None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (i)
               ------------------
be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions
contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct),
or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for any recital,
statement, representation or warranty made by the Company or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company, or any officer thereof, contained in this Agreement or
in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other
document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent under or in
connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, or for any failure of the Company or any other party to
any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent-
Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Bank to ascertain or to
inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained
in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect
the properties, books or records of the Company or any of the Company's
Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

     9.04      Reliance by Agent.
               ----------------- 

               (a)  The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully
protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message,
statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons,
and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the
Company), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Agent. The
Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such
advice or concurrence of the Majority Banks as it deems appropriate and, if it
so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Banks
against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason
of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Agent shall in all cases be
fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or
any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Majority
Banks and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto
shall be binding upon all of the Banks.

                                      63
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions
specified in Section 4.01, each Bank that has executed this Agreement shall be
deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each
document or other matter either sent by the Agent to such Bank for consent,
approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to
or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Bank.

     9.05      Notice of Noncompliance Event.  The Agent shall not be deemed to
               -----------------------------
have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Latent Noncompliance Event or
Noncompliance Event, except with respect to defaults in the payment of
principal, interest and fees required to be paid to the Agent for the account of
the Banks, unless the Agent shall have received written notice from a Bank or
the Company referring to this Agreement, describing such Latent Noncompliance
Event or Noncompliance Event and stating that such notice is a "notice of
noncompliance event." The Agent will notify the Banks of its receipt of any such
notice. The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Latent
Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event as may be requested by the Majority
Banks in accordance with Article VIII; provided, however, that unless and until
                                       --------  -------                       
the Agent has received any such request, the Agent may (but shall not be
obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect
to such Latent Noncompliance Event or Noncompliance Event as it shall deem
advisable or in the best interest of the Banks.

     9.06      Credit Decision.  Each Bank acknowledges that none of the Agent-
               ---------------                                                
Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act
by the Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to constitute any representation
or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Bank.  Each Bank represents to
the Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related
Person and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate,
made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects,
operations, Property, financial and other condition and credit worthiness of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating
to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into
this Agreement and to extend credit to the Company hereunder.  Each Bank also
represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-
Related Person and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals
and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform
itself as to the business, prospects, operations, Property, financial and other
condition and credit worthiness of the Company.  Except for notices, reports and
other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Banks by the
Agent, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Bank
with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects,
operations, Property, financial and other condition or credit worthiness of the
Company which may come into the possession of any of the Agent-Related Persons.

                                      64
<PAGE>
 
     9.07      Indemnification of Agent.  Whether or not the transactions
               ------------------------                                  
contemplated hereby are consummated, the Banks shall indemnify upon demand the
Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the
Company and without limiting the obligation of the Company to do so), pro rata,
from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, however, that no
                                                      --------  -------         
Bank shall be liable for the payment to the Agent-Related Persons of any portion
of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each
Bank shall reimburse the Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or
out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Agent in
connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or
responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document
contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Agent is not
reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Company.  The undertaking in
this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the
resignation or replacement of the Agent.

     9.08      Agent in Individual Capacity.  BofA and its Affiliates may make
               ----------------------------
loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from,
acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust,
financial advisory, underwriting or other business with the Company and its
Subsidiaries and Affiliates as though BofA were not the Agent hereunder and
without notice to or consent of the Banks. The Banks acknowledge that, pursuant
to such activities, BofA or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the
Company or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to
confidentiality obligations in favor of the Company or such Subsidiary) and
acknowledge that the Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such
information to them. With respect to its Loans, BofA shall have the same rights
and powers under this Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise the same as
though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Bank" and "Banks" include BofA in
its individual capacity.

     9.09      Successor Agent.  The Agent may, and at the request of the
               ---------------
Majority Banks shall, resign as Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Banks. If the
Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Majority Banks shall appoint from among
the Banks a successor agent for the Banks. If no successor agent is appointed
prior to the effective date of the resignation of the Agent, the Agent may
appoint, after consulting with the Banks and the Company, a successor agent from
among the Banks. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor agent
hereunder, such successor agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and
duties of the retiring Agent and the term "Agent" shall mean such successor
agent and the retiring Agent's appointment, powers and duties as Agent shall be
terminated. After any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the
provisions of this Article IX and Sections 10.04 and 10.05 shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent
under this Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Agent by
the date which is 30 days following a retiring Agent's notice of resignation,
the retiring Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective
and the Banks shall perform all of the duties of the Agent hereunder until such
time, if any, as the Majority Banks appoint a successor agent as provided for
above.

                                      65
<PAGE>
 
     9.10      Withholding Tax.
               ---------------

               (a)  If any Bank is a "foreign corporation, partnership or trust"
within the meaning of the Code and such Bank claims exemption from, or a
reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the Code, such
Bank agrees with and in favor of the Agent, to deliver to the Agent (with an
additional copy to be forwarded to the Company):

                    (i)    if such Bank claims an exemption from, or a reduction
     of, withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, two properly
     completed and executed copies of IRS Form 1001 before the payment of any
     interest in the first calendar year and before the payment of any interest
     in each third succeeding calendar year during which interest may be paid
     under this Agreement;

                    (ii)   if such Bank claims that interest paid under this
     Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because it is
     effectively connected with a United States trade or business of such Bank,
     two properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form 4224 before the
     payment of any interest is due in the first taxable year of such Bank and
     in each succeeding taxable year of such Bank during which interest may be
     paid under this Agreement; and

                    (iii)  such other form or forms as may be required under the
     Code or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from,
     or reduction of, United States withholding tax.

Such Bank agrees to promptly notify the Agent of any change in circumstances
which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

               (b)  If any Bank claims exemption from, or reduction of,
withholding tax under a United States tax treaty by providing IRS Form 1001 and
such Bank sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all
or part of the Obligations of the Company owing to such Bank, such Bank agrees
to notify the Agent of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the
beneficial owner of such Obligations of the Company to such Bank. To the extent
of such percentage amount, the Agent will treat such Bank's IRS Form 1001 as no
longer valid.

               (c)  If any Bank claiming exemption from United States
withholding tax by filing IRS Form 4224 with the Agent sells, assigns, grants a
participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of the
Company owing to such Bank, such Bank agrees to undertake sole responsibility
for complying with the withholding tax requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and
1442 of the Code.

               (d)  If any Bank is entitled to a reduction in the applicable
withholding tax, the Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Bank
an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into account
such reduction.  However, if the forms or other documentation required by
subsection (a) of this Section are not delivered to the Agent, 

                                      66
<PAGE>
 
then the Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Bank not providing
such forms or other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable
withholding tax imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code, without
reduction.

               (e)  If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United
States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Agent did not properly
withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Bank (because the
appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed, or because such
Bank failed to notify the Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered the
exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other
reason) such Bank shall indemnify the Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly
or indirectly, by the Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and
interest, and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts
payable to the Agent under this Section, together with all costs and expenses
(including Attorney Costs).  The obligation of the Banks under this subsection
shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement
of the Agent.

                                   ARTICLE X

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

     10.01     Amendments and Waivers.  No amendment or waiver of any provision
               ----------------------    
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any
departure by the Company therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be
in writing and signed by the Majority Banks (or by the Agent at the written
request of the Majority Banks) and the Company and acknowledged by the Agent,
and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that
                                                       --------  -------      
no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all
the Banks and the Company and acknowledged by the Agent, do any of the
following:

               (a)  increase or extend the Commitment of any Bank (or reinstate
any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02);

               (b)  postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any
other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other
amounts due to the Banks (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan
Document;

               (c)  reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified
herein on any Loan, or (subject to clause (ii) below) any fees or other amounts
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

               (d)  change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Loans which is required for the Banks or any of
them to take any action hereunder; or

                                      67
<PAGE>
 
               (e)  amend this Section, Section 2.14 or 2.15 or any provision
herein providing for consent or other action by all Banks;

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
     -------- -------                                                           
writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Majority Banks or all the
Banks, as the case may be, affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) the Fee Letter may be amended, or
rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties
thereto.

     10.02     Notices.
               ------- 

               (a)  All notices, requests, consents, approvals, waivers and
other communications shall be in writing (including, unless the context
expressly otherwise provides, by facsimile transmission, provided that any
matter transmitted by the Company by facsimile (i) shall be immediately
confirmed by a telephone call to the recipient at the number specified on
Schedule 10.02, and (ii) shall be followed promptly by delivery of a hard copy
- --------------
original thereof) and mailed, faxed or delivered, to the address or facsimile
number specified for notices on Schedule 10.02; or, as directed to the Company
                                --------------     
or the Agent, to such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to the other parties, and as directed to any other party, at such
other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the
Company and the Agent.

               (b)  All such notices, requests and communications shall, when
transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for
overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile
machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon receipt, or if delivered, upon
delivery; except that notices pursuant to Article II or IX to the Agent shall
not be effective until actually received by the Agent.

               (c)  Any agreement of the Agent and the Banks herein to receive
certain notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience and at
the request of the Company. The Agent and the Banks shall be entitled to rely on
the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the Company
to give such notice and the Agent and the Banks shall not have any liability to
the Company or other Person on account of any action taken or not taken by the
Agent or the Banks in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile notice. The
obligation of the Company to repay the Loans shall not be affected in any way or
to any extent by any failure by the Agent and the Banks to receive written
confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile notice or the receipt by the Agent
and the Banks of a confirmation which is at variance with the terms understood
by the Agent and the Banks to be contained in the telephonic or facsimile
notice.

                                      68
<PAGE>
 
     10.03     No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.  No failure to exercise and no
               ------------------------------
delay in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Bank, any right, remedy,
power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, remedy, power or privilege.

     10.04     Costs and Expenses.  The Company shall, whether or not the
               ------------------
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated:

               (a)  pay or reimburse BofA (including in its capacity as Agent)
within thirty (30) Business Days after demand (subject to subsection 4.01(f))
for all costs and expenses incurred by BofA (including in its capacity as Agent)
as provided for in the Fee Letter and in connection with any amendment,
supplement, waiver or modification to (in each case, whether or not
consummated), this Agreement, any Loan Document and any other documents prepared
in connection herewith or therewith, including Attorney Costs incurred by BofA
(including in its capacity as Agent) with respect thereto; and

               (b)  pay or reimburse the Agent, the Arranger and each Bank
within five Business Days after demand (subject to subsection 4.01(f)) for all
costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by them in connection
with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights or
remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document during the existence of
a Noncompliance Event or after acceleration of the Loans (including in
connection with any "workout" or restructuring regarding the Loans, and
including in any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceeding).

     10.05     Company Indemnification.  Whether or not the transactions
               -----------------------                                  
contemplated hereby are consummated, the Company shall indemnify, defend and
hold the Agent-Related Persons, and each Bank and each of its respective
officers, directors, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (each, an
"Indemnified Person") harmless from and against any and all liabilities,
 ------------------                                                     
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
charges, expenses and disbursements (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or
nature whatsoever which may at any time (including at any time following
repayment of the Loans and the termination, resignation or replacement of the
Agent or replacement of any Bank) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
any such Person in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any
document contemplated by or referred to herein, or the transactions contemplated
hereby, or any action taken or omitted by any such Person under or in connection
with any of the foregoing, including with respect to any investigation,
litigation or proceeding (including any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate
proceeding) related to or arising out of this Agreement or the Loans or the use
of the proceeds thereof, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party
thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities");
                                               -----------------------   
provided, that the Company shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnified
- --------                                                                        
Person with respect to Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person. The agreements in
this Section shall survive payment of all other Obligations.

                                      69
<PAGE>
 
     10.06     Payments Set Aside.  To the extent that the Company makes a
               ------------------
payment to the Agent or the Banks, or the Agent or the Banks exercise their
right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part
thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential,
set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the
Agent or such Bank in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any
other party, in connection with any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, then (a)
to the extent of such recovery the obligation or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b)
each Bank severally agrees to pay to the Agent upon demand its pro rata share of
any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Agent.

     10.07     Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of this Agreement shall
               ----------------------
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns, except that the Company may not
assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of the Agent and each Bank.

     10.08     Assignments, Participations, Etc.
               ---------------------------------

               (a)  Any Bank may, with the written consent of the Company (which
consent shall not be required during the existence of a Noncompliance Event) and
the Agent, which consent of the Company shall not be unreasonably withheld, at
any time assign and delegate to one or more Eligible Assignees (provided that no
written consent of the Company or the Agent shall be required in connection with
any assignment and delegation by a Bank to an Eligible Assignee that is an
Affiliate of such Bank) (each an "Assignee") all, or any ratable part of all, of
                                  --------
the Loans, the Commitments and the other rights and obligations of such Bank
hereunder, in a minimum amount of $10,000,000; provided, however, that the
                                               --------  -------          
Company and the Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with such Bank in
connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice
of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses and related
information with respect to the Assignee, shall have been given to the Company
and the Agent by such Bank and the Assignee; (ii) such Bank and its Assignee
shall have delivered to the Company and the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance
in the form of Exhibit J ("Assignment and Acceptance") together with any Note or
               ---------   -------------------------                            
Notes (if any) subject to such assignment, and (iii) the assignor Bank or
Assignee has paid to the Agent a processing fee in the amount of $3,500.

               (b)  From and after the date that the Agent notifies the assignor
Bank that it has received (and provided its consent with respect to, if
applicable) an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the above-
referenced processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto
and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to
it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights and
obligations of a Bank under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assignor Bank
shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and
Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the
Loan Documents.

                                      70
<PAGE>
 
               (c)  Upon or after the Company has received notice by the Agent
that the Agent has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of
the processing fee, (and provided that, if applicable, the Company consents to
such assignment in accordance with subsection 10.08(a)), the Company shall,
within five Business Days after its receipt of a request therefor from the
Agent, execute and deliver to the Agent, new Notes evidencing such Assignee's
assigned Loans and Commitment and, if the assignor Bank has retained a portion
of its Loans and its Commitment, replacement Notes in the principal amount of
the Loans retained by the assignor Bank (such Notes to be in exchange for, but
not in payment of, the Notes held by such Bank). Immediately upon each
Assignee's making its processing fee payment under the Assignment and
Acceptance, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only
to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the
resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising therefrom. The Commitment
allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Commitments of the assigning Bank
pro tanto.
- --- ----- 

               (d)  Any Bank may at any time sell to one or more commercial
banks or other Persons not Affiliates of the Company (a "Participant")
                                                         -----------       
participating interests in any Loans, the Commitment of that Bank and the other
interests of that Bank (the "originating Bank") hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents; provided, however, that (i) the originating Bank's obligations
                --------  -------
under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the originating Bank shall
remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the
Company and the Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with the
originating Bank in connection with the originating Bank's rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (iv) no Bank
shall transfer or grant any participating interest under which the Participant
has rights to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect
to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent such
amendment, consent or waiver would require unanimous consent of the Banks as
described in the first proviso to Section 10.01. In the case of any such
                 ----- -------
participation, the Participant shall not have any rights under this Agreement,
or any of the other Loan Documents, and all amounts payable by the Company
hereunder shall be determined as if such Bank had not sold such participation;
except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or
shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the
occurrence of a Noncompliance Event, each Participant shall be deemed to have
the right of set-off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing
under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating
interest were owing directly to it as a Bank under this Agreement.

               (e)  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, any
Bank may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any
portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement (and the Note held by
it) in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the
FRB or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR (S)203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank
may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under
applicable law.

                                      71
<PAGE>
 
     10.09     Confidentiality.  Each Bank agrees to take and to cause its
               ---------------                                            
Affiliates to take normal and reasonable precautions and exercise due care to
maintain the confidentiality of all nonpublic oral information or information
identified as "confidential" or "secret"  by the Company and provided to it by
the Company or any Subsidiary, or by the Agent on the Company's or such
Subsidiary's behalf, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and
neither it nor any of its Affiliates shall use any such information other than
in connection with or in enforcement of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents or in connection with other business now or hereafter existing or
contemplated with the Company or any Subsidiary; except to the extent such
information (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of disclosure by the Bank, or (ii) was or becomes available on a  non-
confidential basis from a source other than the Company, provided that such
source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company known to the
Bank; provided, however, that any Bank may disclose such information (A) at the
      --------  -------                                                        
request or pursuant to any requirement of any Governmental Authority to which
the Bank is subject or in connection with an examination of such Bank by any
such authority; (B) pursuant to subpoena or other court process; (C) when
required to do so in accordance with the provisions of any applicable
Requirement of Law; (D) to the extent reasonably required in connection with any
litigation or proceeding to which the Agent, any Bank or their respective
Affiliates may be party; (E) to the extent reasonably required in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (F)
to such Bank's independent auditors and other professional advisors; (G) to any
Participant or Assignee, actual or potential, provided that such Person agrees
in writing to keep such information confidential to the same extent required of
the Banks hereunder; (H) as to any Bank or its Affiliate, as expressly permitted
under the terms of any other document or agreement regarding confidentiality to
which the Company or any Subsidiary is party or is deemed party with such Bank
or such Affiliate; and (I) to its Affiliates.  Prior to disclosing any
information identified by the Company as "confidential" of "secret" pursuant to
clause (ii)(B) or (D), the Bank subject to such process, proceeding or
litigation shall provide the Company with notice thereof sufficient to provide
the Company with the opportunity to seek (on an expedited basis, if necessary) a
protective order.

     10.10     Set-off.  In addition to any rights and remedies of the Banks
               -------                                                      
provided by law, if a Noncompliance Event exists or the Loans have been
accelerated, each Bank is authorized at any time and from time to time, without
prior notice to the Company, any such notice being waived by the Company to the
fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits
(general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by,
and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such Bank to or for the credit or
the account of the Company against any and all Obligations owing to such Bank,
now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not the Agent or such Bank
shall have made demand under this Agreement or any Loan Document and although
such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured.  Each Bank agrees promptly to
notify the Company and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by
such Bank; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not
           --------  -------                                                
affect the validity of such set-off and application.

                                      72
<PAGE>
 
     10.11     Termination of the Commitments under Existing Facility.  Pursuant
               ------------------------------------------------------
to Section 2.5 of the Existing Facility, the Company hereby terminates the
Aggregate Commitments under, and as that term is defined in, the Existing
Facility as of the date hereof, and the Banks hereby waive the three Business
Days' prior notice requirement in Section 2.5 for such notice. The Company
agrees to pay, on the date hereof, all accrued commitment fees under the
Existing Facility to, but not including, the date hereof.

     10.12     Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc.  Each Bank shall
               -----------------------------------------------                  
notify the Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to
the Bank should be directed, of addresses of any Lending Office, of payment
instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such
other administrative information as the Agent shall reasonably request.

     10.13     Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number
               ------------                                               
of separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an
original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute but one and the same instrument.

     10.14     Severability.  The illegality or unenforceability of any
               ------------
provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder
shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the
remaining provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required
hereunder.

     10.15     No Third Parties Benefited.  This Agreement is made and entered
               --------------------------
into for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Company, the Banks, the
Agent and the Agent-Related Persons, and their permitted successors and assigns,
and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have
any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

     10.16     Governing Law and Jurisdiction.
               ------------------------------ 

               (a)  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA; PROVIDED THAT THE AGENT AND
THE BANKS SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

               (b)  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA,
AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE AGENT
AND THE BANKS CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE AGENT AND
THE BANKS IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE
LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF 

                                      73
<PAGE>
 
FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY
- -------------------- 
ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. THE COMPANY, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS EACH WAIVE
PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE
BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW.

     10.17     Waiver of Jury Trial.  THE COMPANY, THE BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH
               --------------------                                            
WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION
BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST
ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON, PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE, WHETHER
WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE.  THE COMPANY, THE
BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE
TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY.  WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE
PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED
BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING
WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THEREOF.
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

     10.18     Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the other Loan
               ----------------                                               
Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the Company,
the Banks and the Agent, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements
and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to the subject
matter hereof and thereof.

                                      74
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered in San Francisco, California by their proper and
duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

                                          CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.   
                                                                              
                                          By: /s/ James A. Taylor              
                                             ---------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President and Treasurer 
                                                ------------------------------

                                          By: ________________________________

                                          Title: _____________________________
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                          BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST      
                                          AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,            
                                          as Agent                            
                                                                              

                                          By: /s/ Wendy Young                 
                                             ---------------------------------  
                                          Title: Vice President               
                                                ------------------------------  
                                                                              
                                          BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST      
                                          AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,            
                                          as a Bank                           
                                                                              

                                          By: /s/ Kevin McMahon               
                                             --------------------------------- 
                                          Title: Vice President               
                                                ------------------------------ 
                                                                              
                                          BARCLAYS BANK, PLC                  
                                                                              

                                          By: /s/ James Tan                   
                                             --------------------------------- 
                                          Title:  Associate Director         
                                                ------------------------------ 
                                                                              
                                          STANDARD CHARTERED BANK             
                                                                              

                                          By: /s/ Peter Dodds                 
                                             --------------------------------- 
                                          Title:  Vice President              
                                                ------------------------------ 

                                      75
<PAGE>
 
                               SCHEDULE 2.01(a)

                                  Commitments
                                  -----------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Commitment
             Banks                 Commitment       Percentage
             -----                 ----------       ---------- 
<S>                               <C>               <C>
Bank of America National Trust
  and Savings Association          $50,000,000          50%
 
Barclays Bank, PLC                  35,000,000          35%
 
Standard Chartered Bank             15,000,000          15%
 
                   Total          $100,000,000         100%
                                  ============         ===
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 7.01

                                Permitted Liens
                                ---------------

                        [To be provided by the Company]
<PAGE>
 
                                SCHEDULE 7.04(f)

                            Closing Date Investments
                            ------------------------

                        [To be provided by the Company]
<PAGE>
 
                                SCHEDULE 10.02
                            to the Credit Agreement


Addresses for Notices:
- ----------------------


If to the Agent:                         If to the Banks:


Bank of America National Trust           Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association                  and Savings Association
Agency Management Services #5596         Credit Products-High Technology #3697
1455 Market Street                       555 California Street
12th Floor                               41st Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103                  San Francisco, CA 94104
Attention: Ms. Wendy Young               Attention: Mr. Kevin McMahon
Fax No.: (415) 436-2700                  Fax No.: (415) 622-2514
Telephone No.: (415) 436-3420            Telephone No.: (415) 622-8088


If to the Company:
                                         Barclays Bank, PLC
Conner Peripherals, Inc.                 388 Market Street
2895 Zanker Road                         Suite 1700
San Jose, CA 95134                       San Francisco, CA 94111-5317
Attention: Treasurer                     Attention: Mr. James Tan
Fax No.: (408) 456-4761                  Fax No.: (415) 765-4760
Telephone No.: (408) 456-3043            Telephone No.: (415) 765-4718


                                         Standard Chartered Bank
                                         160 Water Street
                                         New York, NY 10038-4995
                                         Attention: Mr. Peter Dodds
                                         Fax No.: (212) 612-0225
                                         Telephone No.: (212) 612-0367


                                      (i)
<PAGE>
 
                         Payment and Lending Offices:
                         ----------------------------


BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST               BARCLAYS BANK, PLC
 AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as Agent           ABA No. 026-002-574
ABA No. 121-000-358                          75 Wall Street
Attn: Agency Management Services #5596       New York, NY 10265
1850 Gateway Boulevard                       Account No. 050-019104
Concord, CA 94250                            Benf: CLAD
For credit to: Account No. 1233-3-15329      Reference: Conner Peripherals, Inc.
Reference: Conner Peripherals, Inc.

                                             Domestic Lending Office:
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONL TRUST
 AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as a Bank          75 Wall Street
ABA No. 121-000-358                          New York, NY 10265
1850 Gateway Boulevard
Concord, CA 94250                            Offshore Rate Lending Office:
For credit to: Account No. 12331-83980
Reference: Conner Peripherals, Inc.          Nassau Bahamas Branch
                                             c/o 75 Wall Street
                                             New York, NY 10265

Domestic and Offshore Rate Lending
Offices:
                                             STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
1850 Gateway Boulevard                       ABA No. 026002561
Concord, CA 94520                            160 Water Street
                                             New York, NY 10038-4995
                                             Account No.: 1750807
                                             Name: Commerical Loan Operations
                                             Reference: Conner Peripherals, Inc.
                                 


                                             Domestic Lending Offce:
                                             160 Water Street
                                             New York, NY 10038-4995


                                             Offshore Rate Lending Office:
 
                                             707 Wilshire Blvd.
                                             8th Floor
                                             Mail Sort W8-33
                                             Los Angeles, CA 90017

                                     (ii)
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                              to Credit Agreement

                          Form of Notice of Borrowing
                          ---------------------------



                           Date:  __________________


To:  Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association as Agent for the
     several financial institutions from time to time party to the Credit
     Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995 (as extended, renewed, amended or
     restated from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among Conner
                                      ----------------               
     Peripherals, Inc., the several financial institutions from time to time
     party thereto and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association,
     as Agent


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned, Conner Peripherals, Inc. (the "Company"), refers to the
                                                     -------                 
Credit Agreement, the terms defined therein being used herein as therein
defined, and hereby gives you notice irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.03 of
the Credit Agreement, of the Borrowing specified herein:

          1.  The Business Day of the proposed Borrowing is ____________ 19___.

          2.  The aggregate amount of the proposed Borrowing is $______________.

          3.  The Borrowing is to be comprised of $_______________ of [Offshore
     Rate] [Base Rate] Loans.

          4.  The duration of the Interest Period for the Offshore Rate Loans
     included in the Borrowing shall be [one] [two] [three] [six] month[s].
                                        -------------------------          

     The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true on
the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the proposed Borrowing, before
and after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds
therefrom:

          (a)  the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
     Article V of the Credit Agreement are true and correct as though made on
     and as of the date hereof (except to the extent such representations and
     warranties relate to an earlier date, in which case they are true and
     correct as of such date);

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  on or before the date hereof, the Company has delivered to the
     Agent a copy of written notice given by the Company to each trustee or
     creditor in respect of Subordinated Debt outstanding as of the date of the
     proposed Borrowing specified in paragraph 1, informing each such Person
     that the Company has incurred or shall incur "Senior Indebtedness" pursuant
     to the Credit Agreement;

          (c)  no Noncompliance Event or Latent Noncompliance Event has occurred
     and is continuing, or would result from such proposed Borrowing;

          (d)  no Material Adverse Effect has occurred since September 30, 1995;
     and

          (e)  The proposed Borrowing will not cause the aggregate principal
     amount of all outstanding Loans to exceed the combined Commitments of the
     Banks.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned as executed this Certificate as of the
date first set forth above.

                                    CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.



                                    By: _________________________

                                    Title: ________________________

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B
                            to the Credit Agreement

                   Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
                   -----------------------------------------



                           Date:  __________________


To:  Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association as Agent for the
     several financial institutions from time to time party to the Credit
     Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995 (as extended, renewed, amended or
     restated from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among Conner
                                      ----------------               
     Peripherals, Inc., the several financial institutions from time to time
     party thereto and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association,
     as Agent


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned, Conner Peripherals, Inc. (the "Company"), refers to the
                                                     -------                 
Credit Agreement, the terms defined therein being used herein as therein
defined, and hereby gives you notice irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.04 of
the Credit Agreement, of the [conversion] [continuation] of the Loans specified
herein, that:

          1.  The Conversion/Continuation Date is ________________, 19___.

          2.  The aggregate amount of the Loans to be [converted] [continued] is
     $_________.

          3.  The Loans are to be [converted into] [continued as] [Offshore
     Rate] [Base Rate] Loans.

          4.  [If applicable:]  The Conversion/Continuation Date is the last day
     of the applicable Interest Period of the Offshore Rate Loans to be
     [converted/continued].

          5.  [If applicable:] The duration of the Interest Period for the Loans
     included in the [conversion] [continuation] shall be [one] [two] [three]
                                                          -------------------
     [six] month[s].
     -----          

     The undersigned hereby certifies that, if this Notice of
Conversion/Continuation is given with respect to a Loan to be converted into or
continued as an Offshore Rate Loan, as of the date hereof, and as of the
proposed Conversion/Continuation Date , before and after giving effect thereto
and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, no Noncompliance Event or
Latent Noncompliance Event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from
such proposed [conversion] [continuation].

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned as executed this Certificate as of the
date first set forth above.

                                    CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.



                                    By: _________________________

                                    Title: _______________________

                                      B-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT C
                            to the Credit Agreement

                         Form of Compliance Certificate
                         ------------------------------


     The undersigned refers to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October
30, 1995 (as extended, renewed, amended or restated from time to time, the
                                                                          
"Credit Agreement") among Conner Peripherals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
- -----------------                                                              
"Company"), the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto
 -------                                                                      
and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Associations, as Agent.  Terms
defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein
as therein defined.

The undersigned ________________, certifies that [he][she] is the
________________ of the Company, and that, as such, [he] [she] is authorized to
execute and deliver this Certificate in the name and on behalf of the Company,
and that:

     1.   Attached as Schedule 1 hereto are true and correct copies of the
                      ----------                                          
Company's audited financial statements for the year ended ____________________,
199__.

                                       or

     1.   Attached as Schedule 1 hereto are true and correct copies of the
                      ----------                                          
Company's unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended _______________,
199__.

     2.   The attached financial statements accurately and fairly present in all
material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the consolidated financial position
and results of operations of the Company and the Company's Consolidated
Subsidiaries, subject only to normal year-end adjustments [and the absence of
footnotes].

     3.   I have reviewed and am familiar with the terms of the Credit
Agreement, and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a
review of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries
during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements (the
"Financial Statements") which could affect the Company's compliance with such
terms.

     4.   The examinations described in paragraph 3 above did not disclose the
existence or continuance of any condition or event, and no such condition or
event exists, which constitutes a Noncompliance Event or Latent Noncompliance
Event either during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the
attached Financial Statements or as of the date of this Certificate, except as
set forth in Schedule 2 attached hereto.  [Schedule 2 to set forth, in detail,
             ----------                    ----------                         
the nature of such condition or event, the period during which it has existed
and the actions that the Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with
respect to each such condition or event.]  Attached as Schedule 3 hereto are the
                                                       ----------               
calculations used to make such determination with respect to Sections 7.09
through 7.12 of the Credit Agreement as of the end of the accounting period
covered by the financial statements attached as Schedule 1 hereto.
                                                ----------  
                                      C-1
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The Company has no Subsidiaries (as defined in the Credit Agreement),
and no equity investment in any other corporation or entity in excess of 10% of
the outstanding voting stock of such other corporation or entity, except as
disclosed in Schedule 4 attached hereto.
             ----------                 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certificate in the
name and on behalf of the Company as of ______________, 199_.


                                    CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.



                                    By: _________________________

                                    Title: _______________________

                                      C-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE 2
                           TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
                           -------------------------
                                 ($ in 000's)

 
                                                      Date:______________, 199__
 
                                             For the fiscal [quarter/year] ended
                                                           ______________, 199__

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
============================================================================================================= 

                                                         Actual                     Required/Permitted    
                                                         ------                     ------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------           
<S>                                                   <C>                           <C> 
1.    Section 7.09 Leverage Ratio.
      ---------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      The ratio of:
 
      A.  the difference of:
 
          (i)    Total Liabilities                      _________
 
                         minus
                         -----
 
         (ii)    aggregate principal amount
                 outstanding under the 1991
                 Indenture and the 1992 Indenture
                 and other Subordinated Debt (if    
                 any)                                   _________
                     
                      (i) - (ii)                =       _________       
                 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       B.  the sum of:
                                                               
           (i)   Tangible Net Worth                     _________
                                                        
                        plus
                        ----
 
          (ii)   aggregate principal amount
                 outstanding under the 1991
                 Indenture and the 1992 Indenture
                 and other Subordinated Debt (if       
                 any)                                   _________        
                                         
                     (i) + (ii)                =
                                                        _________       
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
 
 
                   A                           =                                     Ratio not greater
                 -----                                                                   
                   B                                    ==========                   than:   1.10 to 1.00
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
  
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
============================================================================================================= 

                                                         Actual                     Required/Permitted    
                                                         ------                     ------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------           

<S>                                                   <C>                           <C>  
2.    Section 7.10 Minimum Tangible Net Worth. 
      ---------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            
 
      Tangible Net Worth                       =      ==============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------           
      Not to be less than the sum of:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            
      A.  $260,000,000                                $260,000,000
 
                        plus
                        ----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            
      B.  50% of Consolidated Net Income,
          commencing with the fiscal quarter
          beginning 07/01/95 and thereafter
         (not reduced by any quarterly loss)          ______________
 
                        plus
                        ----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            
 
      C.  75% of Net Proceeds arising from the
          sale (available to the public) of
          capital stock occurring on or after
          07/01/95                                    ______________
                        plus
                        ----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            
 
      D.  75% of any increase in consolidated
          Tangible Net Worth due to conversions
          of Indebtedness to equity occurring
          on or after 07/01/95/1/                     ______________
 
                        minus
                        -----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            
      E.  the cumulative amount of write-offs/2/ 
          taken on or after 09/30/95 associated
          with any Acquisitions by the Company        _____________/3/
          or its Subsidiaries
 
                        minus
                        -----  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 





      __________________________

               /1/  Without duplication.
          
               /2/  Taken in accordance with GAAP.

               /3/  Not to exceed $75,000,000. 
 
               
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>  
============================================================================================================= 

                                                         Actual                     Required/Permitted    
                                                         ------                     ------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>   <C>                                             <C>                           <C>    
      F.  the cumulative amount of write-offs/4/ 
          taken on or after 09/30/95 associated         
          with restructuring of operations/5/           ___________/6/

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                    Tangible Net Worth not
          A + B + C + D - E - F  =                      ==========                  less than the sum of
                                                                                    A + B + C + D - E - F
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
3.    Section 7.11 Quick Ratio.
      ------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------        
      The ratio/7/ of:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
      A.  the sum of:
 
          (i)    cash                                   __________
         (ii)    Cash Equivalents/8/                    __________
        (iii)    Eligible Receivables (net of
                 allowance for doubtful                      
                 accounts)                              __________
 
                 (i) + (ii) + (iii)           =         __________
                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      B.  current liabilities determined in
          accordance with GAAP and including
          (without duplication) Loans                   __________

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
              A                                                                      Ratio not less than:
            -----                                                                    -------------------
              B                              =                                            0.90:1.00
                                                        __________

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


</TABLE> 

       ___________________________       

               /4/  Taken in accordance with GAAP.

               /5/  If in any fiscal quarter the Company (on a consolidated
       basis) shall have had an operating loss, no amount of any write-off taken
       in such quarter with respect to any restructuring of the Company's or any
       Subsidiary's U.S. domestic operations shall be included.

               /6/  Not to exceed $45,000,000.
 
               /7/  Determined on a consolidated basis.

               /8/  Valued in accordance with GAAP.
   
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
============================================================================================================= 

                                                         Actual                     Required/Permitted    
                                                         ------                     ------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>   <C>                                             <C>                           <C> 
4.    Section 7.12 Profitability/9/
      --------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      10% of Tangible Net Worth/10/                     __________   

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      A.  Aggregate operating loss for the                                          Not to exceed the
          fiscal quarter just ended                   ______________                greater of:
                                                                                     (i) $50,000,000 or
                                                                                    (ii) 10% of Tangible
                                                                                         Net Worth
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      B.  Aggregate net loss for the                                                Not to exceed the
          fiscal quarter just ended                   ______________                greater of:
                                                                                     (i) $50,000,000 or
                                                                                    (ii) 10% of Tangible
                                                                                         Net Worth
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
      C.  Aggregate operating loss for                                              Not to exceed the
                                                                                    greater of (i) 
           (i)  the fiscal quarter just                                             $50,000,000 or
                ended                                 ______________                (ii) 10% of Tangible
                                                                                    Net Worth 
                                                                                    
                        plus                                                        
                        ----
                                                                                    
 
          (ii)  the immediately preceding           
                fiscal quarter                        ______________   
 
 
                      (i) + (ii)                  =
                                                      ==============

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      D.  Aggregate net loss for                                                    Not to exceed the
                                                                                    greater of:
           (i)  the fiscal quarter just                                              (i) $50,000,000 or
                ended                                                               (ii) 10% of Tangible
                                                                                         Net Worth
                        plus                          ______________   
                        ----
 
          (ii)  the immediately preceding       
                fiscal quarter                        ______________   
 

                      (i) + (ii)                  =
                                                      ==============
 
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>





       ____________________________________

      /9/      All calculations shall be in accordance with GAAP and on a
       consolidated basis and shall exclude (i) write-offs up to a maximum
       cumulative amount of $75,000,000 taken after the Closing Date with
       respect to Acquisitions, and (ii) write off's up to a maximum cumulative
       amount of $45,000,000 taken after the Closing Date with respect to
       restructuring of operations; no amount of any write-off taken in any
       fiscal quarter with respect to restructuring of U.S. domestic operations
       may be included if, for such fiscal quarter the Company (on a
       consolidated basis) shall have had an operating loss.

       /10/    As of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter,
       determined in accordance with GAAP and on a consolidated basis.


<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT D
                              to Credit Agreement

                      Consolidating Statement Certificate
                      -----------------------------------


     Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995 (as
extended, renewed, amended or restated from time to time, the "Credit
                                                               ------
Agreement") among Conner Peripherals Inc., a California corporation (the
- ---------
"Company"), the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto
 -------                                                                      
and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent, the
undersigned ______________, certifies that [he] [she] is the __________ of the
Company, and that, as such, [he] [she] is authorized to execute and deliver this
Certificate in the name and on behalf of the Company, and that:

     1.   Attached hereto as Schedule 1 is a true, correct and complete copy of
                             ----------                                        
          the unaudited consolidating balance sheets and related consolidating
          statements of operations for the year ended _________, 199_ of the
          Company and each of its Subsidiaries.

     2.   Schedule 1 was used in connection with the preparation of the
          ----------                                                   
          Company's audited consolidated balance sheet and related consolidated
          statements of operations for such year.

     3.   Schedule 1 was derived from the financial records of the Company.
          ----------                                                       

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate in the
name and on behalf of the Company as of __________, 199_.

                                    CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.



                                    By: _________________________

                                    Title: ________________________


                                      D-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT E
                            to the Credit Agreement


             Form of Opinion of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati

                                [see attached]
<PAGE>
 
                               October 30, 1995



Bank of America National Trust and
 Savings Association, as Agent
1455 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, California 94103
Attention:  Agency Management Services #5596

                and

The financial institutions listed
on Annex A hereto (the "Banks")
   -------                     


     RE:  CREDIT AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF OCTOBER 30, 1995,
          AMONG CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC., THE BANKS NAMED
          THEREIN AND BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
          SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT FOR THE BANKS

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Conner Peripherals, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the negotiation, execution and
delivery of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 30, 1995,
including the exhibits and schedules thereto and the related Disclosure Letter
including the exhibits and schedules thereto (collectively, the "Credit
Agreement"), among the Company, the Banks named therein and Bank of America
National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent for the Banks. Capitalized
terms used herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement, unless otherwise defined
herein.  This opinion is rendered to you pursuant to Section 4.01(d) of the
Credit Agreement.

     In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined executed
originals or copies of the following documents:

     (a)  the Credit Agreement;

     (b)  a letter agreement, dated as of September 8, 1995, by and between the
          Company and BA Securities, Inc., as Arranger, with respect to certain
          fees payable in connection with the Credit Agreement (the "Fee
          Letter");
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association, as Agent
 and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 2


     (c)  a Certificate of the Treasurer of the Company, dated as of the date
          hereof, with respect to certain financial statements of the Company,
          executed and delivered to you by the Company pursuant to Sections
          4.01(f), (g) and (h) of the Credit Agreement;

     (d)  a Certificate of the Secretary of the Company, dated as of the date
          hereof, executed and delivered to you pursuant to Sections 4.01(b) and
          4.01(c) of the Credit Agreement, as to, among other things: (i) the
          incumbency and signature of certain officers of the Company; (ii) the
          Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; (iii) the bylaws
          of the Company; and (iv) the adoption of certain resolutions by the
          directors of the Company; and

     (e)  a copies of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the
          related Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and
          Privileges of Series A Participating Preferred Stock of the Company,
          each certified as of October 23, 1995, by the Secretary of State of
          the State of Delaware; and

     (f)  the documents and agreements listed on Annex B hereto (the "Reviewed
                                                 -------                      
          Agreements") which the Company has certified to us constitute (i) all
          of the written indentures, debentures, loan agreements, lines of
          credit and guarantees as to which the Company or one of its
          Subsidiaries is a party, pursuant to which such party, as of October
          30, 1995, is borrowing or guaranteeing (pursuant to such agreement and
          not in the aggregate) $5,000,000 or more, (ii) all of the documents
          listed as exhibits to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          year ended December 31, 1994, included therein pursuant to the
          requirements of clauses (2), (4), (9) or (10) of Item 601(b) of
          Regulation S-K (other than those which have expired, terminated or are
          otherwise no longer in effect), and (iii) all of the documents
          required to be listed as exhibits to the Company's Quarterly Reports
          on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and
          September 30, 1995 (if such Quarterly Report were filed as of the date
          hereof), required to be included therein pursuant to the requirements
          of clauses (2), (4), (9) or (10) of Item 601(b) of Regula tion S-K
          (other than those which have expired, terminated or are otherwise no
          longer in effect).

     The Credit Agreement, together with the Fee Letter incorporated therein by
reference, is referred to herein as the Agreement.  The Certificates referenced
in paragraphs (c) and (d) above are referred to herein collectively as the
"Other Loan Documents".

     With respect to any documents submitted for our review we have assumed that
all signatures (other than those on behalf of the Company on the documents
referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) above) are genuine, all
documents submitted as originals are authentic, all documents submitted as
copies conform to the original documents and that all documents, books and
records made available to us by the Company are accurate and complete.
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association, as Agent
 and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 3



     We have also relied upon and obtained from public officials and officers
and representatives of the Company such other certificates and assurances as we
consider necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion.  With respect to
certain matters of fact we have relied upon, with your permission, the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the Credit Agreement,
but only to the extent they relate to factual matters, the Certificate of the
Secretary of the Company referenced in paragraph (e) above and a Certificate in
the form attached to this opinion as Annex C.
                                     ------- 

     As used in this opinion, the expression "to our knowledge" or "known to us"
with reference to matters of fact means that during the course of our
representation of the Company in connection with the Agreement and the Other
Loan Documents, no information has come to the attention of the attorneys of our
firm involved in this engagement which would give them actual knowledge of the
existence or absence of such facts; however, we have made no independent
investigation to determine the existence or absence of such facts, and any
limited inquiry undertaken by us during the preparation of this opinion should
not be regarded as such an investigation.  No inference as to our knowledge of
the existence or absence of any facts underlying any opinion given "to our
knowledge" should be drawn from the fact of our representation of the Company.

     We understand that you are receiving, as of the date hereof, the opinion of
the General Counsel to the Company (the "Corporate Opinion") as to such matters
as organization, authorization, good standing and status of litigation.  For the
purposes of this opinion, we have assumed all of the matters set forth in the
Corporate Opinion.

     On the basis of the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and based upon
examination of questions of law as we have deemed appropriate, and subject to
the assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we
advise you that in our opinion:

     1.  The Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of the
         Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

     2.  The execution and delivery of the Agreement, the execution and delivery
         of the Other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans in accordance with
         the Agreement, repayment of any such Loans by the Company and the
         undertaking of the covenants set forth in the Agreement do not (a)
         contravene the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, (b)
         contravene any order, writ, judgment, decree, determination or award of
         any court or arbitrator, known to us, to which the Company is a party
         or subject, (c) conflict with or constitute a material breach of the
         terms, conditions or provisions of or constitute a default under any
         Reviewed Agreement, (d) result in, or require the creation or
         imposition of any lien, security interest or other encumbrance on any
         of the properties or revenues of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
         pursuant to any Reviewed Agreement, or (e) to our knowledge, contravene
         any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation having applicability
         to the Company.
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association, as Agent
 and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 4


     3.  No governmental consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations,
         declarations or filings are required to be made or obtained by or in
         respect of the Company (or on its behalf) for the due authorization,
         execution and delivery by the Company of the Agreement and the Other
         Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans in accordance with the Agreement
         or the repayment of any such Loans by the Company (including, without
         limitation, Regulations T, U, G and X of the Board of Governors of the
         Federal Reserve System).

     4.  The Company is not an "investment company" within the meaning of the
         Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     5.  Obligations under the Agreement consisting of principal and interest
         (other than interest accruing after the date of filing of any petition
         for relief under bankruptcy or insolvency law, as to which we express
         no opinion) arising in respect of the Loans under the Agreement
         constitute "Senior Indebtedness" as such term is respectively defined
         in the 1991 Indenture and the 1992 Indenture.

     The foregoing opinions are subject to the following exceptions,
qualifications, limitations and assumptions:

     A.  We are admitted to practice law only in the State of California. We
         express no opinion as to any matter relating to laws of any
         jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of California and the
         federal laws of the United States, as such are in effect on the date
         hereof, and we have made no inquiry into, and we express no opinion as
         to, the statutes, regulations, treaties, common laws or other laws of
         any other nation, state or jurisdiction. For purposes of our review of
         the Reviewed Agreements, except in the case of any such Reviewed
         Agreements, governed by the federal laws of the United States, where
         such Reviewed Agreements purport to be governed by laws other than
         those of the State of California, we have, with your consent, assumed
         that the laws governing such Reviewed Agreements (including the effect
         thereof and the appropriate interpretation thereof) are no different
         from the laws of the State of California.

     B.  We express no opinion as to (i) the effect of any bankruptcy,
         insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar
         laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally
         including, without limitation, the effect of statutory or other laws
         regarding fraudulent transfers or conveyances or preferential
         transfers, or (ii) the effect of general principles of equity,
         including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness,
         good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of
         specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable relief,
         whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

     C.  We express no opinion (i) regarding the rights or remedies available to
         any party for violations or breaches of any provisions which are
         immaterial or for violations or breaches
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association, as Agent
 and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 5


         of any provisions the enforcement of which a court determines would be
         unreasonable under the then existing circumstances, (ii) regarding the
         rights or remedies available to any party insofar as such party may
         take discretionary action which is arbitrary, unreasonable or
         capricious, or is not taken in good faith or in a commercially
         reasonable manner, whether or not such action is permitted under the
         Agreement, (iii) regarding the enforceability of any provision which
         may be deemed to be "unconscionable" within the meaning of Section
         1670.5 of the California Civil Code, or (iv) as to the effect of the
         exercise of judicial discretion, whether in a proceeding in equity or
         at law.

     D.  We express no opinion as to the legality, validity, binding nature or
         enforceability of (i) provisions in the Agreement providing for the
         payment or reimbursement of costs or expenses or indemnifying a party,
         to the extent such provisions may be held unenforceable as contrary to
         public policy, (ii) any provision of the Agreement insofar as it
         provides for the payment or reimbursement of costs and expenses or
         indemnification for claims, losses or liabilities in excess of a
         reasonable amount determined by any court or other tribunal, (iii)
         provisions regarding a Bank's or the Agent's ability to collect
         attorneys' fees and costs in an action involving the Agreement, if the
         Bank or Agent is not the prevailing party in such action (we call your
         attention to the effect of Section 1717 of the California Civil Code,
         which provides that, where a contract permits one party thereto to
         recover attorneys' fees, the prevailing party in any action to enforce
         any provision of the contract shall be entitled to recover its
         reasonable attorneys' fees), (iv) provisions of any Agreement imposing
         penalties or forfeitures, late payment charges or any increase in
         interest rate, upon delinquency in payment or the occurrence of a
         default to the extent they bear no reasonable relation to the damage
         suffered by the lender, constitute a penalty or forfeiture or are
         otherwise contrary to public policy, or (v) any provision of the
         Agreement to the effect that a statement, certificate or determination
         shall be deemed conclusive absent manifest error.

     E.  We express no opinion with respect to the legality, validity, binding
         nature or enforceability of (i) any vaguely or broadly stated waivers
         including, without limitation, the waivers of diligence, presentment,
         demand, protest or notice, (ii) any waivers or consents (whether or not
         characterized as a waiver or consent in the Agreement) relating to the
         rights of the Company or duties owing to it existing as a matter of
         law, including, without limitation, waivers of the benefits of
         statutory or constitutional provisions, to the extent such waivers or
         consents are found by California courts to be against public policy or
         which are ineffective pursuant to California statutes and judicial
         decisions, or (iii) any waivers of any statute of limitations to the
         extent such waivers are in excess of four years beyond the statutory
         period.

     F.  We express no opinion with respect to the legality, validity, binding
         nature or enforceability of any provision of the Agreement to the
         effect that rights or remedies are not exclusive, that every right or
         remedy is cumulative and may be exercised in addition to any other
         right or remedy, that the election of some particular remedy or
         remedies does not preclude
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association, as Agent
 and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 6


         recourse to one or more other remedies or that failure to exercise or
         delay in exercising rights or remedies will not operate as a waiver of
         any such right or remedy.

     G.  We express no opinion as to any provision of the Agreement requiring
         written amendments or waivers of such documents insofar as it suggests
         that oral or other modifications, amendments or waivers could not be
         effectively agreed upon by the parties or that the doctrine of
         promissory estoppel might not apply.

     H.  We have assumed that there are no agreements or understandings between
         or among the Company, a Bank, the Agent or third parties which would
         expand, modify or otherwise affect the terms of the Agreement or the
         respective rights or obligations of the parties thereunder and that the
         Agreement correctly and completely set forth the intent of all parties
         thereto.

     I.  We have assumed that all parties to the Agreement other than the
         Company have filed all required franchise tax returns, if any, and paid
         all required taxes, if any, under the California Revenue & Taxation
         Code.

     J.  We have assumed that the Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
         and delivered by the Agent and each of the Banks and that the Agent and
         each of the Banks have full power, authority and legal right to enter
         into and perform the terms and conditions of the Agreement on their
         parts to be performed and that the Agreement constitutes legal, valid
         and binding obligations of the Agent and each of the Banks, enforceable
         against them in accordance with its terms.

     K.  Except to the extent expressly stated in paragraph 3, we express no
         opinion as to the applicability or effect of compliance or
         noncompliance by the Agent or the Banks with any state, federal or
         other laws applicable to the Agent or the Banks or to the transactions
         contemplated by the Agreement because of the nature of their business,
         including their legal or regulatory status.

     L.  We have assumed that each Bank is either (i) a "Bank" as defined in and
         operating under that certain act known as the "Bank Act" approved March
         1, 1909, as amended, (ii) a bank created and operating under and
         pursuant to the laws of the State of California or of the United States
         or (iii) a foreign bank complying with the criteria set forth in
         Section 1716 of the California Financial Code, as amended, and that the
         Banks are therefore exempt from the restrictions of Section 1 of
         Article XV of the California Constitution and related statutes relating
         to rates of interest upon the loan of money.

     M.  We express no opinion regarding compliance or noncompliance (or the
         effect thereof) with anti-fraud provisions of federal or state
         securities laws, if any of such provisions were to be applicable, or
         with respect to the "Blue Sky" laws of any state other than the State
         of
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association, as Agent
 and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 7


         California, although in the course of our representation of the Company
         in connection with matters to which this opinion is addressed (without
         further investigation), nothing has come to our attention that would
         lead us to believe that, with respect to such matters, any such
         provisions of federal or state securities laws or "Blue Sky" laws would
         be applicable.

     N.  Our opinions in clauses (b) and (e) of paragraph 2 above are intended
         to express our opinion that the execution, delivery and performance by
         the Company of the Agreement are neither prohibited by, nor do they
         subject the Company to a fine, penalty or similar sanction under or any
         law, rule, regulation of the State of California or United States
         federal law or any order, writ, judgment, decree, determination or
         award of any United States federal or California state governmental
         authority that a lawyer practicing in the State of California
         exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably recognize
         to be applicable to the Company and the transactions contemplated by
         the Agreement; accordingly, our opinions set forth above are limited to
         the foregoing.


     O.  This opinion speaks only at and as of its date and is based solely on
         the facts and circumstances existing on such date. We express no
         opinion as to the effect on the Banks' or the Agent's rights under the
         Agreement of any statute, rule, regulation or other law which is
         enacted or becomes effective after, or of any court decision which
         changes the law relevant to such rights which is rendered after, the
         date of this opinion or the conduct of the parties following the
         closing of the contemplated transaction. In addition, in rendering this
         opinion, we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion
         should the present laws of the jurisdictions mentioned herein be
         changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.

     This opinion is made with the knowledge and understanding that you (but no
other person) may rely thereon in entering into the Agreement and is solely for
your benefit.  This opinion may not be quoted to or relied upon by any person
other than you, except that (i) this opinion may be disclosed to (a) bank
regulatory and other governmental authorities having jurisdiction over you
requesting (or requiring) such disclosure and (b) prospective Assignees and
Participants in connection with the potential transfer of all or part of the
Loans or Commitments of any Bank, and (ii) this opinion may be relied upon by
Assignees of or Participants in the Loans if such assignments or participations
are permitted under and made in accordance with the Agreement; provided that in
                                                               --------        
no event does this opinion extend to any issue or matter related to any such
assignment or participation or arising from or out of any such assignment or
participation (as distinct from the subject transaction).

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/ Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
                                          WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI,
                                          Professional Corporation
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX A
                                    -------



Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association
555 California Street
San Francisco, CA  94104

Barclays Bank PLC
75 Wall Street
New York, NY  10265

Standard Chartered Bank
160 Water Street, 2nd Floor
New York, New York 10038
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX B
                                    -------


                              REVIEWED AGREEMENTS



 Number                                      Description
- --------                                 -------------------


    1           Purchase Agreement dated February 11, 1986 for shares of Series
                A Preferred Stock.

    2           Purchase Agreement dated June 13, 1986 for shares of Convertible
                Preferred Stock.

    3           Purchase Agreement dated December 1, 1986 between Conner
                Peripherals, Inc. (the "Company") and Compaq Computer
                Corporation for the sale of Convertible Preferred Stock.

    4           Purchase Agreement dated August 31, 1987 for the sale of Series
                B Preferred Stock.
 
    5           The Company's Profit Sharing Plan, as amended to date.

    6           The Company's 1986 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended.

    7           Registration Rights Agreement dated August 31, 1987.

    8           Stockholders' Agreement dated June 13, 1986, as amended.

    9           Form of Officer and Director Indemnification Agreement.

    10          Commercial Lease dated July 20, 1987 between the Company and
                Orchard Investment Company Number 606 covering property located
                at 2720 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, California and Supplemental
                Agreement related thereto.

    11          Commercial Lease dated October 22, 1987 between the Company and
                Fred Sahadi covering property located on the corner of Montague
                Expressway and North Capital Avenue in Milpitas, California.

    12          Agreement dated June 13, 1986 between the Company and Compaq
                Computer Corporation.

    13          Non-Exclusive Patent License Agreement dated November 21, 1986
                between the Company and Quantum Corporation.
<PAGE>
 
  Number          Description
 --------   -----------------------

    14          Loan and Security Agreement dated November 24, 1987 between the
                Company and USX Credit Corporation, together with Promissory
                Notes issued thereunder and other documents related thereto.

    15          Loan and Security Agreement dated May 28, 1987 between the
                Company and USX Credit Corporation, together with Promissory
                Notes and other documents related thereto.

    16          Master Equipment Lease Agreement dated May 30, 1987 between the
                Company and Signal Capital Credit Corporation, and documents
                related thereto.

    17          Security Agreement dated April 3, 1987 between the Company and
                Signal Capital Credit Corporation, together with Secured
                Promissory Note and other documents related thereto.

    18          Security Agreement dated February 18, 1987 between the Company
                and Signal Capital Credit Corporation, together with Secured
                Promissory Note and other documents related thereto.

    19          Security Agreement dated December 31, 1986 between the Company
                and Signal Capital Credit Corporation, together with Secured
                Promissory Note and other documents related thereto.

    20          Security Agreement dated May 8, 1987 between the Company and
                Equitable Life Leasing Corporation, together with Promissory
                Note and other documents related thereto.

    21          Chattel Mortgage-Security Agreement dated March 5, 1987 between
                the Company and Equitable Life Leasing Corporation, together
                with Promissory Note and other documents related thereto.

    22          Chattel Mortgage-Security Agreement dated January 20, 1987,
                between the Company and Equitable Life Leasing Corporation,
                together with Promissory Note and other documents related
                thereto.

    23          Joint Venture Agreements, dated March 3, 1988 between the
                Company and Olivetti.

    24          The Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended.

    25          Tenancy Agreement dated July 9, 1988 between the Company and
                Siong Hoe International (PTE) Ltd for the lease of part of the
                Siong Hoe Industrial Building located in Singapore.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
  Number            Description
 --------   ----------------------------

    26          Lease Agreement dated June 16, 1988 between Conner Peripherals,
                Singapore, Ltd. and Newton Investment Ltd. for the sixth story
                of 151 Lorong Chuan, Singapore.

    27          Chattel Mortgage-Security Agreement dated as of November 21,
                1988 between the Company and Equitable Lomas Leasing Corporation
                together with documents related thereto.

    28          Master Equipment Lease Agreement dated April 19, 1988 between
                the Company and Signal Capital Corporation, together with
                documents related thereto.

    29          Equipment Lease Agreement dated June 16, 1988 between the
                Company and Sutter Capital Corporation, with documents related
                thereto.

    30          Loan and Security Agreement dated May 31, 1988 between the
                Company and MNC Leasing Corporation, and documents related
                thereto.

    31          Lease Agreement dated December 8, 1988 between Conner
                Peripherals Singapore Ltd. for the fifth story of 151 Louong
                Chuan Singapore.

    32          Assignment of Lease Agreement between the Company and Orchard
                Investment Company Number 702 for Lease covering Building 10,
                2911 Zanker Road, San Jose, California.

    33          Lease Agreement dated June 28, 1990 between the Company and
                Orchard Investment Company Number 701 for building 9, 2895
                Zanker Road, San Jose, California.

    34          Ground Lease Agreement between the Company and Penang
                Development corporation for land at Plot 365 AT Prai Industrial
                Estate, Penang.

    35          Indenture dated March 1, 1991 between the Company and the First
                National Bank of Boston related to the Company's public offering
                of Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2001.

    36          Indenture dated March 1, 1992 between the Company and the First
                National Bank of Boston related to the Company's public offering
                of Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2002.

    37          Purchase Agreement dated March 26, 1991 between the Company and
                USX Credit Corporation related to the purchase of a Mint
                Sputtering System.

    38          Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of July 25, 1991
                by and among the Company, Conner Subsidiary, Inc. and VISqUS
                Corporation.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
  Number            Description
 --------   ---------------------------

    39          Release and Cross-license effective as of June 6, 1991 between
                the Company and Rodime, Plc.

    40          Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of August 30, 1991 among the
                Company, Conner Peripherals Malaysia, SDN. Bhd. and Read-Rite
                Corporation.

    41          Stock Ownership and Right of First Refusal Agreement dated as of
                November 14, 1991 between Conner Peripherals Malaysia, SDN. Bhd.
                and Read-Rite Corporation.

    42          Agreement dated July 1, 1991 between Conner Peripherals Europe
                S.p.A. and FINAOSTA S.p.A./1/

    43          Agreement dated June 6, 1991 between Conner Peripherals Europe
                S.p.A. and Olivetti Finfactoring S.p.A./2/

    44          Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Compaq Computer
                Corporation dated July 28, 1992.

    45          Lease Agreement between the Company and Pratt Partnership, a
                Colorado general partnership, for premises located at Lot No. 1
                at 2400 Trade Centre Drive, Longmont, Colorado dated May 28,
                1992.

    46          Fifth Amendment to Lease between the Company and Orchard
                Investment Company Number 606 ("Orchard") for premises located
                at 2720 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, California dated March 27,
                1992 (amending original lease dated July 20, 1987 between the
                Company and Orchard, as amended).

    47          Agreement and Plan of Merger of Conner Peripherals, Inc., a
                Delaware corporation, and Conner Peripherals, Inc., a California
                corporation dated July 13, 1992.

    48          Lease Agreement between Conner Peripherals PTE LTD and Newton
                Investment LTD for premises located at 151 Lorong Chuan,
                Singapore (third story) dated March 21, 1992.



_________________________

/1/  This Agreement is written in Italian and has not been read by our firm.  We
     therefore express no opinion as to this Agreement.

/2/  This Agreement is written in Italian and has not been read by our firm.  We
     therefore express no opinion as to this Agreement.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
  Number           Description
 --------   --------------------------

    49          Distribution Agreement among the Company, Peripherals Europe and
                Schmitt Computersysteme dated February 1, 1992.

    50          Agreement and Plan of Merger between Archive Corporation, Conner
                Acquisition Corp. and Conner Peripherals, Inc. dated November
                18, 1992, as amended.

    51          Sublease Agreement between the Company and General Signal
                Corporation for premises located at 195 South Milpitas
                Boulevard, Milpitas, California dated February 20, 1993.

    52          Agreement between the Company and Matsushita-Kotobuki
                Electronics Industries LTD regarding the DC2000 product dated
                April 18, 1993.

    53          Agreement between Archive Corporation and Matsushita-Kotobuki
                Electronics Industries LTD regarding the R-DAT product dated
                April 18, 1993.

    54          Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company, Archive
                Corporation and Overland Data dated May 25, 1993.

    55          Lease Agreement between the Company and Fujita Corporation for
                property located at 1650 Sunflower Avenue, Costa Mesa,
                California 92626 dated August 1, 1993 (as amended) (Company is
                lessee as a result of the merger with Archive).

    56          Purchase Agreement between the Company and Olivetti S.p.A.
                ("Olivetti") in which the Company purchased Olivetti's minority
                interest in Conner Peripherals Europe dated August 11, 1993.

    57          Form of Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and
                certain of its executive officers.

    58          OEM Purchase Agreement between the Company and NCR Corporation
                dated July 29, 1988 (as amended).

    59          Master Production Agreement between the Company and Apple
                Computer, Inc. dated September 20, 1989 (as amended).

    60          Amended and Restated Standard Purchasing Agreement between the
                Company and Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation dated June 12,
                1992 (as amended).

    61          Purchase Agreement between the Company and Ing. C. Olivetti and
                C., S.p.A. dated April 7, 1993. 

                                     -5-
<PAGE>
 
  Number          Description
 --------   -------------------------

    62          Master Production Agreement between the Company and
                International Business Machines Corporation dated June 9, 1993.

    63          Inventory Repurchase Agreement between the Company and Chrysler
                First Commercial Corporation dated May 10, 1990 (now
                NationsCredit Commercial Corporation).

    64          Conner Peripherals, Inc. Repurchase Agreement between the
                Company and Bell Atlantic TriCon Leasing Corporation dated
                December 10, 1992.
 
    65          Conner Peripherals, Inc. 1995 Director Stock Plan

    66          Change of Control Agreement between the Company and Finis
                Conner dated October 18, 1994.

    67          Change of Control Agreement among the Company, P. Jackson Bell
                dated October 18, 1994.

    68          Change of Control and Severance Agreement among the Company and
                Kenneth Potashner dated April 27, 1995.

    69          Change of Control and Severance Agreement among the Company
                and Donald Massaro dated April 27, 1995.

    70          Change of Control and Severance Agreement among the Company
                and Michael Workman dated April 27, 1995.

   
    71          Employment Contract/Termination Agreement between the Company
                and P. Jackson Bell dated August 19, 1993

    72          Agreement and Plan of Reorganization among the Company, Seagate
                Technology, Inc. and Athena Acquisition Corporation dated
                October 3, 1995.

    73          Stock Option Agreement among the Company and Seagate Technology,
                Inc. dated October 3, 1995.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
                             OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE


                                October 30, 1995



Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, California  94304-1050

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     In connection with the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 30, 1995 (the
"Credit Agreement"), among the Company, the Banks named therein (the "Banks")
and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent for the
Banks (capitalized terms used herein have the meanings attributed thereto in the
Credit Agreement unless otherwise defined herein), and for the purposes of the
opinion letter to be rendered by you to the Banks, the undersigned, as an
officer and on behalf of the Company, does hereby certify that the following
statements are true, correct and complete as of the above date:

     1.  I, James A. Taylor, am the duly appointed, qualified and acting Vice
President and Treasurer of the Company. I am actively involved in the business
operations of the Company and am generally familiar with all of the corporate
and business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries. I have read and am
familiar with the Credit Agreement and the transactions relating thereto.

     2.  I have examined a draft of the proposed opinion letter which your firm
intends to submit to the Banks, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
                                                                      ---------
I hereby confirm as true, complete and correct all the factual statements.

     3.  The Credit Agreement was properly executed on October 30, 1995 by me
as Vice President and Treasurer of the Company. There are no side agreements,
contemporaneous understandings or other documents or arrangements relating to
the Credit Agreement (but not expressly reflected therein) among any of the
parties thereto that are not attached to or referred to in this Officer's
Certificate.

     4.  We intend the Credit Agreement to be a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company. We are not aware of any reasons why the Credit
Agreement would not be enforceable by the Banks against the Company in
accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and except as noted in the other
qualifications set forth in your proposed opinion letter attached hereto as
Exhibit A. We are not aware of any reason why the Credit Agreement might not be
- ---------
valid in its entirety or subject to any limitations on the remedies and rights
of the parties thereto. The Company is not now involved as a debtor in any form
of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, or similar proceeding, and no such
proceedings have been threatened against the Company.

     5.  To my knowledge, except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter, there
are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened in writing against
the Company before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or
official which would have a material adverse effect on the consolidated
financial position of the Company or its results of operations or impair the
Company's ability to perform its
<PAGE>
 
obligations under the Credit Agreement or challenge the validity or
enforceability of the Credit Agreement or prevent the consummation of the
transactions contemplated in connection therewith.

     6.  Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true, correct and complete copy of
                            ---------
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company together with all
amendments and restatements thereto (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), as in
effect on the date hereof. No other amendment or other modification to the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company has been approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company or stockholders of the Company or any committee of or
designated by the Board of Directors, no other amendment or other document has
been filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and no steps have been taken
by the Board of Directors to authorize or effect any further amendment or other
modification thereto.

     7.  Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true, correct and complete copy of
                            ---------
the Bylaws (together with all amendments thereto) of the Company as in effect on
the date hereof.

     8.  Attached hereto as Exhibit D is a true, correct and complete list of
                            ---------
(i) all of the written indentures, debentures, loan agreements, lines of credit
and guarantees as to which the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is a party,
pursuant to which such party, as of October 30, 1995, is borrowing or
guaranteeing (pursuant to such agreement and not in the aggregate) $5,000,000 or
more, (ii) all of the documents listed as exhibits to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, included therein
pursuant to the requirements of clauses (2), (4), (9) or (10) of Item 601 (b) of
Regulation S-K (other than those which have expired, terminated or are otherwise
no longer in effect), and (iii) all of the documents required to be listed as
exhibits to the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and September 30, 1995 (if such Quarterly Report
were filed as of the date hereof), required to be included therein pursuant to
the requirements of clauses (2), (4), (9) or (10) of Item 601 (b) of Regulation
S-K (other than those which have expired, terminated or are otherwise no longer
in effect).

     9.  I have performed all investigations, examined all records and
documents, and made all inquiries reasonably necessary or appropriate to obtain
sufficient actual knowledge to support the statements made in this Certificate.

     10.  I fully understand the above statement that I am making herein and
that you will be relying significantly on the completeness and accuracy of such
statements in rendering your opinions.


                                    CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.



                                    By:  /s/ James A. Taylor
                                       _______________________________
                                          James A. Taylor
                                          Vice President and Treasurer
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT F
                            to the Credit Agreement



                     Form of Opinion of Thomas F. Mulvaney


                                [see attached]
<PAGE>
 
                           Conner Peripherals, Inc.
                               2895 Zanker Road
                          San Jose, California 95134



                            As of October 30, 1995



Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, as Agent
1455 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, California 94103
Attention:  Agency Management Services #5596

          and

The financial institutions listed
on Schedule 1 hereto (the "Banks")


     Re:  Credit Agreement, dated as of October 30, 1995,
          among Conner Peripherals, Inc., the Banks named
          therein and Bank of America National Trust and
          Savings Association, as Agent for the Banks
          -----------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am vice president, general counsel and secretary of Conner Peripherals,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and am rendering this opinion in
connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of that certain Credit
Agreement, dated as of October 30, 1995, including the exhibits and schedules
thereto and the related Disclosure Letter including the exhibits and schedules
thereto (collectively, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Company, certain
financial institutions named therein (the "Banks") and Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as Agent for the Banks. Capitalized terms used
herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the respective
meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein.
This opinion is rendered to you pursuant to Section 4.01(d) of the Credit
Agreement.

     In connection with such transaction, I have examined:

     (a)  the Credit Agreement;

     (b)  a letter agreement, dated as of September 8, 1995, by and between the
          Company and the Agent with respect to certain fees payable in
          connection with the Credit Agreement (the "Fee Letter");

     (c)  a certificate of Treasurer of the Company, dated as of the date
          hereof, executed and delivered to you by the Company pursuant to
          Sections 4.01(f), (g) and (h) of the Credit Agreement;
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, as Agent
and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 2


     (d) a Certificate of the Secretary of the Company, dated as of the date
         hereof, executed and delivered to you pursuant to Sections 4.1(b) and
         4.1(c) of the Credit Agreement, as to, among other things: (i) the
         incumbency and signature of certain officers of the Company); (ii) the
         Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; (iii) the bylaws of the
         Company; and (iv) the adoption of certain resolutions by the directors
         of the Company;

     (e) copies of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the
         related Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and
         Privileges of Series A Participating Preferred Stock of the Company,
         each certified as of October 23, 1995, by the Secretary of State of the
         State of Delaware; and

     (f) (i) a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
         dated October 23, 1995, with respect to the status of the Company as a
         corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, with
         respect to the good standing of the Company; (ii) a certificate of the
         Secretary of State of the State of California dated October 24, 1995,
         with respect to the standing of the company as a corporation qualified
         to do business in the State of California; (iii) a certificate of the
         Secretary of State of the State of Colorado, dated October 13, 1995,
         with respect to the standing of the Company as a corporation qualified
         to do business in the State of Colorado; and (iv) a certificate of the
         Secretary of State of the State of Florida dated October 24, 1995, with
         respect to the standing of the company as a corporation qualified to do
         business in the State of Florida.


     The Credit Agreement, together with the Fee Letter incorporated therein by
reference, is referred to herein as the Agreement.  The Certificates referenced
in paragraphs (c) and (d) above are referred to herein collectively as the
"Other Loan Documents".

     With respect to any documents submitted for my review I have assumed that
all signatures (other than those on behalf of the Company on the documents
referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) above) are genuine, all
documents submitted as originals are authentic, all documents submitted as
copies conform to the original documents and that all documents, books and
records made available to me by the Company are accurate and complete.

     I have also relied upon and obtained from public officials and officers and
representatives of the Company such other certificates and assurances as I
consider necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion.  With respect to
certain matters of fact I have relied upon, with your permission, the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the Credit Agreement,
but only to the extent they relate to factual matters, an Officers' Certificate
in the form attached to this opinion and the certificates of public officials
referenced in paragraph (f) above.

     In rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 4 below, I have not made
any independent investigation of court or other governmental records to
determine whether any actions have been filed.
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, as Agent
and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 3

     On the basis of the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and based upon
examination of questions of law as I have deemed appropriate, and subject to the
assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, I
advise you that in my opinion:

     1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing in
        good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company is
        duly authorized to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good
        standing in the States of California, Colorado and Florida.

     2. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter
        into and perform the Agreement, to execute and deliver the Other Loan
        Documents, to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business
        as presently conducted.

     3. The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement, including the
        borrowings proposed to be made under the Agreement and the execution and
        delivery of the Other Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all
        necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. The Agreement and
        the Other Loan Documents have been duly executed and delivered by the
        Company.

     4. To my knowledge, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before
        any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority is pending or
        threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any
        of the properties or revenues of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof
        with respect to the Agreement or any of the borrowings proposed to be
        made under the Agreement.

     The foregoing opinions are subject to the following exceptions,
qualifications, limitations and assumptions:

     A. I am admitted to practice law only in the State of California. I express
        no opinion as to any matter relating to laws of any jurisdiction other
        than the laws of the State of California and the federal laws of the
        United States, as such are in effect on the date hereof.

     B. I express no opinion regarding compliance or noncompliance (or the
        effect thereof) with anti-fraud provisions of federal or state
        securities laws, if any of such provisions were to be applicable, or
        with respect to the "Blue Sky" laws of any state other than the State of
        California, although nothing has come to my attention (without further
        investigation) that would lead me to believe that, with respect to
        matters relating to the Agreement, any such provisions of federal or
        state securities laws or "Blue Sky" laws would be applicable.

     C. This opinion speaks only at and as of its date and is based solely on
        the facts and circumstances existing on such date. I express no opinion
        as to the effect on the Banks' or the Agent's rights under the Agreement
        of any statute, rule, regulation or other law which is
<PAGE>
 
Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, as Agent
and the Banks
As of October 30, 1995
Page 4

        enacted or becomes effective after, or of any court decision which
        changes the law relevant to such rights which is rendered after, the
        date of this opinion or the conduct of the parties following the closing
        of the contemplated transaction. In addition, in rendering this opinion,
        I assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the
        present laws of the jurisdictions mentioned herein be changed by
        legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.

     D. My opinion set forth in paragraph 1 as to good standing in the State of
        Delaware and as due qualification and good standing in other states is
        based solely on the certificates referenced in paragraph (f) above
        (copies of which have been furnished to you), and, to the extent
        available, telephonic confirmation as of the date of this opinion of the
        legal existence and good standing of the Company in the State of
        Delaware from the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of
        Delaware and the due qualification and good standing as a foreign
        corporation qualified to do business from the Offices of the Secretary
        of State of California, Colorado and Florida.

     This opinion is made with the knowledge and understanding that you (but no
other person) may rely thereon in entering into the Agreement and is solely for
your benefit.  This opinion may not be quoted to or relied upon by any person
other than you, except that (i) this opinion may be disclosed to (a) bank
regulatory and other governmental authorities having jurisdiction over you
requesting (or requiring) such disclosure and (b) prospective Assignees and
Participants in connection with the potential transfer of all or part of the
Loans or Commitments of any Bank and (ii) this opinion may be relied upon by
Assignees of and Participants in the Loans if such assignments or participations
are permitted under and made in accordance with the Agreement; provided that in
                                                               --------        
no event does this opinion extend to any issue or matter related to any such
assignment or participation or arising from or out of any such assignment or
participation (as distinct from the subject transaction).

                                  Very truly yours,


                                  /s/ Thomas F. Mulvaney

                                  Thomas F. Mulvaney
                                  Vice President, General Counsel and
                                  Secretary
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX A
                                    -------



Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association
555 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

Barclays Bank PLC
388 Market Street, Suite 1700
San Francisco, California 94111-5317

Standard Chartered Bank
160 Water Street, 2nd Floor
New York, New York 10038
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT G
                              to Credit Agreement

                            FORM OF PROMISSORY NOTE
                            -----------------------



$____________                                                October 30, 1995




          FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Conner Peripherals, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
                           -------                                          
___________________ (the "Bank") the principal sum of ____________ Dollars
                          ----                                            
($___________) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans
made by the Bank to the Company pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of
October 30, 1995 (such Credit Agreement, as it may be amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being hereinafter called
the "Credit Agreement"), among the Company, the Bank, the other banks parties
     ----------------                                                        
thereto, and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent
for the Banks, on the dates and in the amounts provided in the Credit Agreement.
The Company further promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of
the Loans evidenced hereby from time to time at the rates, on the dates, and
otherwise as provided in the Credit Agreement.

          The Bank is authorized to endorse the amount and the date on which
each Loan is made, the maturity date therefor and each payment of principal with
respect thereto on the schedules annexed hereto and made a part hereof, or on
continuations thereof which shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof;
provided, that any failure to endorse such information on such schedule or
continuation thereof shall not in any manner affect any obligation of the
Company under the Credit Agreement and this Promissory Note (the "Note").
                                                                  ----   

          This Note is one of the Notes referred to in, and is entitled to the
benefits of, the Credit Agreement, which Credit Agreement, among other things,
contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening
of certain stated events and also for prepayments on account of principal hereof
prior to the maturity hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified.
<PAGE>
 
          Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with their
defined meanings therein unless otherwise defined herein.  This Note shall be
governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the
State of California applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely
within such State.



                                                     CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.



                                                     By: ______________________

                                                     Title:____________________
      


                                                     By:_______________________

                                                     Title:____________________

                                      G-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                              Schedule A to Note



                BASE RATE LOANS AND REPAYMENT OF BASE RATE LOANS
                ------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 (2)                 (3)               (4)            (5)
   (1)       Amount of        Maturity Date      Amount of Base    Notation
   Date    Base Rate Loan   of Base Rate Loan   Rate Loan Repaid   Made by
   ----    --------------   -----------------   ----------------   --------
<S>        <C>              <C>                 <C>                <C> 
________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________

________   ______________   _________________   ________________   ________
</TABLE>

                                      G-3
<PAGE>
 
                                                              Schedule B to Note

            OFFSHORE RATE LOANS AND REPAYMENT OF OFFSHORE RATE LOANS
            --------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                (2)                  (3)                  (4)              (5)
   (1)       Amount of        Maturity Date of    Amount of Offshore    Notation
   Date  Offshore Rate Loan  Offshore Rate Loan    Rate Loan Repaid     Made by
   ----  ------------------  ------------------   ------------------    --------
<S>      <C>                 <C>                  <C>                   <C>  
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
                                                                      
________   ______________    _________________     ________________     ________
</TABLE>

                                      G-4
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT H
                            to the Credit Agreement

                           Form of Notice to Trustee
                           -------------------------


[The First National Bank of Boston
Blue Hill Office Park
Mail Stop 45-02-15
150 Royall Street
Canton, MA  02021
Attention:  Corporate Trust Division
                 or
Other Indenture Trustee or Creditor]


   Re:  [1991] [1992] Conner Peripherals, Inc. Indenture
        ------------------------------------------------


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We refer to that certain Indenture dated as of [March 1, 1991] [March 1,
1992] (as amended from time to time, the "Indenture") between Conner
                                          ---------                 
Peripherals, Inc. (the "Company") and _____________________ [as "Trustee" under
                        -------                                                
the Indenture].  The Company, Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association, as Agent, and the several financial institutions from time to time
party thereto, are party to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October
30, 1995 (as extended, renewed, amended or restated from time to time the
"Credit Agreement"), which provides a credit facility to the Company of up to
 ----------------                                                            
$100,000,000 in principal amount.  Pursuant to irrevocable authorization granted
to us by the Company, we hereby notify you that the Company has incurred Senior
Indebtedness (as such term is defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the Credit
Agreement.

                              [and, if applicable]

     [The Company has defaulted in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest on Senior Indebtedness arising under the Credit Agreement, which
default is continuing beyond the applicable period of grace for such payment, if
any, specified in the Credit Agreement.]  [A noncompliance event or other
circumstance exists which, under the terms of the Credit Agreement, permits the
acceleration of Senior Indebtedness arising thereunder, and either a judicial
proceeding has been commenced with respect thereto or the Company has been
notified thereof.]

                                      H-1
<PAGE>
 
     This notice is given pursuant to Section 4.05 of the Indenture.

                                            BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                            AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as Agent


                                            By:  __________________________

                                            Title:  _________________________



cc:  Conner Peripherals, Inc.

                                      H-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT I
                            to the Credit Agreement


                            Subordination Provisions
                            ------------------------

          Subordinated Debt shall include Indebtedness of the Company for which
the Banks are satisfied (which may include delivery of an opinion of the counsel
in form and from such Person reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the Banks)
that such Indebtedness is subject to subordination provisions no less favorable
to the Banks than those set forth with respect to the subordination to Senior
Indebtedness in the 1991 Indenture and the 1992 Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT J
                            to the Credit Agreement

                  FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT
                  -------------------------------------------



          This ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT (this "Assignment and
                                                          --------------
Acceptance") dated as of __________, 199__ is made between
- ----------                                                
_______________________ (the "Assignor") and __________________________ (the
                              --------                                      
"Assignee").
 --------   


                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

          WHEREAS, the Assignor is party to that certain Credit Agreement dated
as of October 30, 1995 (as amended, amended and restated, modified, supplemented
or renewed, the "Credit Agreement") among Conner Peripherals, Inc. a Delaware
                 ----------------                                            
corporation (the "Company"), the several financial institutions from time to
                  -------                                                   
time party thereto (including the Assignor, the "Banks"), and Bank of America
                                                 -----                       
National Trust and Savings Association, as agent for the Banks (the "Agent").
                                                                     -----    
Any terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not defined in this Assignment and
Acceptance are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement;

          WHEREAS, as provided under the Credit Agreement, the Assignor has
committed to making Loans (the "Committed Loans") to the Company in an aggregate
                                ---------------                                 
amount not to exceed $__________ (the "Commitment");
                                       ----------   

          WHEREAS, [the Assignor has made Committed Loans to the Company,  in
the aggregate principal amount of $__________, of which, as of the date hereof,
$_____________ are Base Rate Loans and $____________ are Offshore Rate Loans]
[no Committed Loans are outstanding under the Credit Agreement]; and

          WHEREAS, the Assignor wishes to assign to the Assignee [part of the]
[all] rights and obligations of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement in
respect of its Commitment, [together with a corresponding portion of each of its
outstanding Committed Loans] in an amount equal to $__________ (the "Assigned
                                                                     --------
Amount") on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and the
- ------                                                                      
Assignee wishes to accept assignment of such rights and to assume such
obligations from the Assignor on such terms and subject to such conditions;

                                      J-1

<PAGE>
 
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   Assignment and Acceptance.
          ------------------------- 

          (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Assignment and
Acceptance, (i) the Assignor hereby sells, transfers and assigns to the
Assignee, and (ii) the Assignee hereby purchases, assumes and undertakes from
the Assignor, without recourse and without representation or warranty (except as
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance) __% (the "Assignee's Percentage
                                                      ---------------------
Share") of (A) the Commitment [and the Committed Loans] of the Assignor and (B)
- -----                                                                          
all related rights, benefits, obligations, liabilities and indemnities of the
Assignor under and in connection with the Credit Agreement and the Loan
Documents.

          [If appropriate, add paragraph specifying payment to Assignor by
Assignee of outstanding principal of, accrued interest on, and fees with respect
to, Committed Loans.]

          (b)  With effect on and after the Effective Date (as defined in
Section 5 hereof), the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and
succeed to all of the rights and be obligated to perform all of the obligations
of a Bank under the Credit Agreement, including the requirements concerning
confidentiality and the payment of indemnification, with a Commitment in an
amount equal to the Assigned Amount. The Assignee agrees that it will perform in
accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the
Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank. It is the intent
of the parties hereto that the Commitment of the Assignor shall, as of the
Effective Date, be reduced by an amount equal to the Assigned Amount and the
Assignor shall relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under
the Credit Agreement to the extent such obligations have been assumed by the
Assignee; provided, however, the Assignor shall not relinquish its rights under
Article III and Sections 10.04 and 10.05 of the Credit Agreement to the extent
such rights relate to the time prior to the Effective Date.

          (c)  After giving effect to the assignment and assumption set forth
herein, on the Effective Date the Assignee's Commitment will be $__________.

          (d)  After giving effect to the assignment and assumption set forth
herein, on the Effective Date the Assignor's Commitment will be $__________.

     2.   Payments.
          -------- 

          (a)  As consideration for the sale, assignment and transfer
contemplated in Section 1 hereof, the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor on the
Effective Date in immediately available funds an amount equal to $__________ ,
or such other amount and on such other terms as the Assignor and Assignee may
agree in writing, representing the Assignee's Pro Rata Share of the principal
amount of all Committed Loans.

          (b)  The [Assignor] [Assignee] further agrees to pay to the Agent a
processing fee in the amount specified in Section 10.08(a) of the Credit
Agreement.

                                      J-2

<PAGE>
 
     3.   Reallocation of Payments.
          ------------------------ 

     Any interest, fees and other payments accrued to the Effective Date with
respect to the Commitment[,] [and] Committed Loans shall be for the account of
the Assignor.  Any interest, fees and other payments accrued on and after the
Effective Date with respect to the Assigned Amount shall be for the account of
the Assignee.  Each of the Assignor and the Assignee agrees that it will hold in
trust for the other party any interest, fees and other amounts which it may
receive to which the other party is entitled pursuant to the preceding sentence
and pay to the other party any such amounts which it may receive promptly upon
receipt.

     4.   Independent Credit Decision.
          --------------------------- 

     The Assignee (a) acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Credit
Agreement, the Disclosure Letter and their respective Schedules and Exhibits,
together with copies of the most recent financial statements referred to in
Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement, and such other documents and information
as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit and legal analysis and
decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; and (b) agrees that it
will, independently and without reliance upon the Assignor, the Agent or any
other Bank and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit and legal decisions in
taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement.

     5.   Effective Date; Notices.
          ----------------------- 

          (a)  As between the Assignor and the Assignee, the effective date for
this Assignment and Acceptance shall be __________, 199__ (the "Effective
                                                                ---------
Date"); provided that the following conditions precedent have been satisfied on
- ----    --------                                                               
or before the Effective Date:

               (i)  this Assignment and Acceptance shall be executed and
delivered by the Assignor and the Assignee;

              (ii)  the consent of the Company and the Agent required for an
effective assignment of the Assigned Amount by the Assignor to the Assignee
under Section 10.08(a) of the Credit Agreement shall have been duly obtained and
shall be in full force and effect as of the Effective Date;

             (iii)  the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor all amounts
due to the Assignor under this Assignment and Acceptance;

              (iv)  the Assignee shall have complied with Section 9.10(a)
of the Credit Agreement (if applicable); and

               (v)  the processing fee referred to in Section 2(b) hereof and in
Section 10.08(a) of the Credit Agreement shall have been paid to the Agent.

          (b)  Promptly following the execution of this Assignment and
Acceptance, the Assignor shall deliver to the Company and the Agent for
acknowledgement by the Agent, a Notice of Assignment substantially in the form
attached hereto as Schedule 1.
                   ---------- 

                                      J-3

<PAGE>
 
     6.   Agent.
          ----- 

          (a)   The Assignee hereby appoints and authorizes the Agent to take
such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the
Banks pursuant to the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto.

          [(b)  The Assignee shall assume no duties or obligations held by the
Assignor in its capacity as Agent under the Credit Agreement.] [INCLUDE ONLY IF
ASSIGNOR IS AGENT]

     7.   Withholding Tax.
          --------------- 

     The Assignee (a) represents and warrants to the Assignor, the Agent
and the Company that under applicable law and treaties no tax will be required
to be withheld by the Assignor with respect to any payments to be made to the
Assignee hereunder, (b) agrees to furnish (if it is organized under the laws of
any jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof) to the Agent
and the Company prior to the time that the Agent or Company is required to make
any payment of principal, interest or fees hereunder, duplicate executed
originals of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or U.S. Internal
Revenue Service Form 1001 (wherein the Assignee claims entitlement to the
benefits of a tax treaty that provides for a complete exemption from U.S.
federal income withholding tax on all payments hereunder) and agrees to provide
new Forms 4224 or 1001 upon the expiration of any previously delivered form or
comparable statements in accordance with applicable U.S. law and regulations and
amendments thereto, duly executed and completed by the Assignee, and (c) agrees
to comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations with regard to such
withholding tax exemption.

     8.   Representations and Warranties.
          ------------------------------ 

          (a)  The Assignor represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and
beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such
interest is free and clear of any Lien or other adverse claim; (ii) it is duly
organized and existing and it has the full power and authority to take, and has
taken, all action necessary to execute and deliver this Assignment and
Acceptance and any other documents required or permitted to be executed or
delivered by it in connection with this Assignment and Acceptance and to fulfill
its obligations hereunder; (iii) no notices to, or consents, authorizations or
approvals of, any Person are required (other than any already given or obtained)
for its due execution, delivery and performance of this Assignment and
Acceptance, and apart from any agreements or undertakings or filings required by
the Credit Agreement, no further action by, or notice to, or filing with, any
Person is required of it for such execution, delivery or performance; and (iv)
this Assignment and Acceptance has been duly executed and delivered by it and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Assignor, enforceable
against the Assignor in accordance with the terms hereof, subject, as to
enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other
laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
general equitable principles.

                                      J-4

<PAGE>
 
          (b)  The Assignor makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsi bility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations
made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or the execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit
Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.  The
Assignor makes no representation or warranty in connection with, and assumes no
responsibility with respect to, the solvency, financial condition or statements
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or the performance or observance by
the Company, of any of its respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or
any other instrument or document furnished in connection therewith.

          (c)  The Assignee represents and warrants that (i) it is duly
organized and existing and it has full power and authority to take, and has
taken, all action necessary to execute and deliver this Assignment and
Acceptance and any other documents required or permitted to be executed or
delivered by it in connection with this Assignment and Acceptance, and to
fulfill its obligations hereunder; (ii) no notices to, or consents,
authorizations or approvals of, any Person are required (other than any already
given or obtained) for its due execution, delivery and performance of this
Assignment and Acceptance; and apart from any agreements or undertakings or
filings required by the Credit Agreement, no further action by, or notice to, or
filing with, any Person is required of it for such execution, delivery or
performance; (iii) this Assignment and Acceptance has been duly executed and
delivered by it and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Assignee, enforceable against the Assignee in accordance with the terms hereof,
subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization and other laws of general application relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equitable principles; and (iv) it is an
Eligible Assignee.

     9.   Further Assurances.
          ------------------ 

     The Assignor and the Assignee each hereby agree to execute and deliver such
other instruments, and take such other action, as either party may reasonably
request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Assignment and
Acceptance, including the delivery of any notices or other documents or
instruments to the Company or the Agent, which may be required in connection
with the assignment and assumption contemplated hereby.

     10.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          (a)  Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Assignment and
Acceptance shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.  No failure or
delay by either party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof and any waiver of any breach of the
provisions of this Assignment and Acceptance shall be without prejudice to any
rights with respect to any other or further breach thereof.

          (b)  All payments made hereunder shall be made without any set-off or
counterclaim.

          (c)  The Assignor and the Assignee shall each pay its own costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and
performance of this Assignment and Acceptance.

                                      J-5

<PAGE>
 
          (d)  This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of
counter parts and all of such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument.

          (e)  THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.  The Assignor and the
Assignee each irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any State
or Federal court sitting in California over any suit, action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Assignment and Acceptance and irrevocably
agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and
determined in such California State or Federal court.  Each party to this
Assignment and Acceptance hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it
may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance
of such action or proceeding.

          (f)  THE ASSIGNOR AND THE ASSIGNEE EACH HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY
AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT
OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH
THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT,
ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF
DEALING, OR STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN).

          [Other provisions to be added as may be negotiated between the
Assignor and the Assignee, provided that such provisions are not inconsistent
with the Credit Agreement.]

                                      J-6

<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this
Assignment and Acceptance to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized
officers as of the date first above written.

                                   [ASSIGNOR]


By: ________________________________

Title:  ____________________________


By:  _______________________________

Title:  ____________________________

Address:



                                   [ASSIGNEE]


By: ________________________________

Title:  ____________________________


By:  _______________________________

Title:  ____________________________

Address:

                                      J-7

<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 1

                      NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
                      -----------------------------------


                                                           _______________, 19__



Bank of America National Trust
 and Savings Association, as Agent
1455 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA  94103
Attn:  Agency Management Services #5596

Conner Peripherals, Inc.
2895 Zanker Road
San Jose, CA  96134
Attn:  Chief Financial Officer

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We refer to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995 (as amended,
amended and restated, modified, supplemented or renewed from time to time the
                                                                             
"Credit Agreement") among Conner Peripherals, Inc. (the "Company"), the Banks
 ----------------                                        -------             
referred to therein and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association
as agent for the Banks (the "Agent").  Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are
                             -----                                              
used herein as therein defined.

     1.   We hereby give you notice of, and request your consent to, the
assignment by __________________ (the "Assignor") to _______________ (the
                                       --------                          
"Assignee") of _____% of the right, title and interest of the Assignor in and to
 --------                                                                       
the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, the right, title and
interest of the Assignor in and to the Commitments of the Assignor and all
standing Loans made by the Assignor) pursuant to the Assignment and Acceptance
Agreement attached hereto (the "Assignment and Acceptance").  Before giving
                                -------------------------                  
effect to such assignment the Assignor's Commitment is $ ___________ and the
aggregate amount of its outstanding Loans is $_____________.

     2.   The Assignee agrees that, upon receiving the consent of the Agent and,
if applicable, Conner Peripherals, Inc. to such assignment, the Assignee will be
bound by the terms of the Credit Agreement as fully and to the same extent as if
the Assignee were the Bank originally holding such interest in the Credit
Agreement.

                                      J-8

<PAGE>
 
     3.   The following administrative details apply to the Assignee:

          (A)  Notice Address:

               Assignee name: ____________________________
               Address:  _________________________________
                             _____________________________
                             _____________________________
               Attention:  _______________________________
               Telephone:  (___) _________________________
               Telecopier:  (___) ________________________
               Telex (Answerback):  ______________________

          (B)  Payment Instructions:

               Account No.:  _____________________________
                   At:         ___________________________
                               ___________________________
                            ______________________________
               Reference:   ______________________________
               Attention:   ______________________________

     4.   You are entitled to rely upon the representations, warranties and
covenants of each of the Assignor and Assignee contained in the Assignment and
Acceptance.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this Notice
of Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by their respective duly authorized
officials, officers or agents as of the date first above mentioned.


Very truly yours,

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

By: ______________________________

Title:  __________________________


By:  _____________________________

Title:  __________________________


                                      J-9

<PAGE>
 
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

By: _______________________________

Title:  ___________________________


By:  ______________________________

Title:  ___________________________

ACKNOWLEDGED AND ASSIGNMENT
CONSENTED TO:


CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.

By: _______________________________

Title:  ___________________________


By:  ______________________________

Title:  ___________________________


BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
 SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as Agent


By: _______________________________

Title:  ___________________________


By:  ______________________________

Title:  ___________________________

                                     J-10

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 11.1
                           CONNER PERIPHERALS, INC.
            STATEMENT REGARDING  COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                     (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Three months ended            Nine months ended   
                                                  September 30,                September 30,     
                                                  -------------                -------------     
                                               1995          1994           1995         1994    
                                               ----          ----           ----         ----     
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>
Primary:

Weighted average shares outstanding          53,404         51,800         52,964       51,393
 
Net effect of dilutive stock options            836            409            507          782
                                             ------         ------         ------       ------
 
     Total                                   54,240         52,209         53,471       52,175
                                             ======         ======         ======       ======
 
Net income                                  $13,404        $10,230        $36,398      $65,504
                                             ======         ======         ======       ======
 
Earnings per share                          $  0.25        $  0.20        $  0.68      $  1.26
                                               ====           ====           ====         ====
 
 
Fully diluted:
 
Weighted average shares outstanding          53,404         51,800         52,964       51,393
 
Net effect of dilutive stock options          1,351            409          1,401          790
 
Assumed conversion of:
  6.75% Subordinated Convertible              7,221             NA             NA        7,931
   Debentures
  6.5%  Subordinated Convertible             12,895             NA             NA       14,375
   Debentures                                ------         ------          -----       ------
 
     Total                                   74,871         52,209         54,365       74,489
                                             ======         ======         ======       ======
 
Net income                                  $13,404        $10,230        $36,398      $65,504

Add:
  6.75% Subordinated Convertible
   Debenture interest, net of income 
     taxes                                    2,085             NA             NA        6,870
  6.5% Subordinated Convertible
   Debenture interest, net of income 
     taxes                                    2,967             NA             NA        9,923
                                              -----         ------         ------       ------
 
     Total                                  $18,456        $10,230        $36,398      $82,297
                                             ======         ======         ======       ======
 
Earnings per share                          $  0.25        $  0.20         $ 0.67      $  1.10
                                               ====           ====           ====         ====  
</TABLE>

__________________

NA - not applicable, item is anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the
    calculation of earnings per share

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
September 30, 1995 condensed consolidated financial statements and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         164,156
<SECURITIES>                                   185,294
<RECEIVABLES>                                  446,537
<ALLOWANCES>                                    28,160
<INVENTORY>                                    265,356
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,203,290
<PP&E>                                         548,285
<DEPRECIATION>                                 306,209
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,490,787
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          444,056
<BONDS>                                        527,961
<COMMON>                                       271,233
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     112,482
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,490,787
<SALES>                                      1,939,912
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,939,912
<CGS>                                        1,623,025
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,623,025
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               264,086
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,182
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,115
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,888
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,227
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  6,171
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,398
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67
        

</TABLE>


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