A glow discharge atomic absorption system for the direct analysis of conducting solid samples has been designed and constructed. An arrestor made of machinable ceramic which is a main component for confining the discharge between cathode and anode is modified to have a better stability in discharge. Discharge voltage or current, shape of arrestor, pressure, and gas flow rate can be controlled by an ADC/DAC board with a personal computer. The effect of discharge parameters such as discharge voltage, pressure, and gas flow rate on the sample loss rate, absorbance, and the surface morphology of sample by SEM has been studied to find optimum discharge conditions.