A more detailed strategy, they added, was the responsibility of the entire Hewlett-Packard board, not a single director.

The Hewlett-Packard board first discussed the possibility of acquiring Compaq at the end of 1999, but serious merger talks did not begin until last June.

Mr. Hewlett said he had no intention of giving up his seat on the Hewlett-Packard board.

News of the investigation and the methods it entailed became public last week and has resulted in a major shake-up on the Hewlett-Packard board.

Ms. Fiorina asserts that when the Hewlett-Packard board began to turn against her leadership, she was blindsided.

Mr. Perkins quit the Hewlett-Packard board, objecting to the way an investigation into news leaks concerning the company was handled.

Whatever the unresolved legal questions, the Hewlett-Packard board seemed to restore order on Tuesday.

Yet the Hewlett-Packard board recently came under criticism from Mr. Perkins.

Mr. Hewlett will retain a nonvoting seat on the Hewlett-Packard board.

Her capacity for decisive leadership, most of all, was the reason the Hewlett-Packard board selected Ms. Fiorina after an extensive search.