In the words of one former dot.com executive who has now joined Hewlett-Packard, when money became free then investment decisions become silly.

He joined Hewlett-Packard in 1967, where he helped develop the HP-35, the world's first handheld scientific electronic calculator.

He joined Hewlett-Packard in 1966 as an engineer.

He had joined Hewlett-Packard in May when that company acquired Compaq Computer, where he had been chairman and chief executive.

Before joining Hewlett-Packard, Mr. Oliver was a member of the technical staff of the Bell Telephone Laboratories from 1940 to 1952.

He joined Hewlett-Packard 22 years ago.

Both Ms. Fiorina, who joined Hewlett-Packard two years ago, and her bold move have been endorsed by the board.

Since joining Hewlett-Packard in 1999 from Lucent Technologies, Ms. Fiorina has become a well-known executive.

Mr. Hackborn joined Hewlett-Packard in 1960 as a design engineer and spent a decade in the company's instrument business and corporate staff.

In 1958 he joined Hewlett-Packard, rising to the post of vice president in 1968.