<Page> - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORM 8-K/A (AMENDMENT NO. 1) CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUGUST 22, 2001 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) EXABYTE CORPORATION (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Delaware 0-18033 84-0988566 (State or other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer of Incorporation) Identification No.) 1685 38TH STREET BOULDER, CO 80301 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (303) 442-4333 Registrant's telephone number, including area code <Page> This Amendment No. One to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 22, 2001 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 23, 2001) is being filed solely for the purpose of filing the final version of Exhibit 10.1, Agreement and Plan of Merger. The final version of Exhibit 10.1 contains corrections to Sections 1.8.1(f) and 4.3(a) of the Agreement and Plan of Merger. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (c) EXHIBITS The following exhibits are filed herewith. 3.1 Form of Certificate of Designations, Powers, Preferences, Rights, Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions of Series H Convertible Preferred Stock of Exabyte.* 10.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger among Exabyte Corporation, Ecrix Corporation, Bronco Acquisition, Inc., and certain lenders and investors named therein dated as of August 22, 2001. 10.2 Loan and Security Agreement between Exabyte Corporation and the lenders named therein dated as of August 22, 2001.* 10.3 Form of 12% Subordinated Secured Convertible Note of Exabyte dated August 23, 2001.* 10.4 Amendment to Rights Agreement.* 99.1 Press Release dated August 23, 2001.* * Previously filed. 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 hereunto duly authorized. EXABYTE CORPORATION (Registrant) Date August 24, 2001 By /s/ Stephen F. Smith ----------------- ----------------------------- Stephen F. Smith Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary 2 <Page> EXHIBIT INDEX 3.1 Form of Certificate of Designations, Powers, Preferences, Rights, Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions of Series H Convertible Preferred Stock of Exabyte.* 10.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger among Exabyte Corporation, Ecrix Corporation, Bronco Acquisition, Inc., and certain lenders and investors named therein dated as of August 22, 2001. 10.2 Loan and Security Agreement between Exabyte Corporation and the lenders named therein dated as of August 22, 2001.* 10.3 Form of 12% Subordinated Secured Convertible Note of Exabyte dated August 23, 2001.* 10.4 Amendment to Rights Agreement.* 99.1 Press Release dated August 23, 2001.* * Previously filed. 3