EXHIBIT 32.1

      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

      In connection with the quarterly report of Bell Microproducts Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, W. Donald Bell, Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

      (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

      (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

May 10, 2005                                 /s/ W. Donald Bell
                                             Chief Executive Officer