Filed by Hewlett-Packard Company Pursuant to Rule 425
                                               Under the Securities Act of 1933
                                       And Deemed Filed Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
                                      Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                  Subject Company:  Compaq Computer Corporation
                                                   Commission File No.:  1-9026



         On September 3, 2001, Hewlett-Packard Company and Compaq Computer
Corporation issued a joint press release announcing that HP and Compaq had
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of September
4, 2001. The text of the joint press releas follows.


                   HEWLETT-PACKARD AND COMPAQ AGREE TO MERGE,

                  CREATING $87 BILLION GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY LEADER

      WILL OFFER BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS MOST COMPLETE SET OF PRODUCTS AND
          SERVICES, WITH COMMITMENT TO OPEN SYSTEMS AND ARCHITECTURES

  WILL HAVE #1 WORLDWIDE POSITIONS IN SERVERS, PCS AND HAND-HELDS, AND IMAGING
  AND PRINTING; LEADING POSITIONS IN IT SERVICES, STORAGE, MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

      COMPANIES EXPECT ANNUAL COST SYNERGIES OF APPROXIMATELY $2.5 BILLION;
         TRANSACTION EXPECTED TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY ACCRETIVE IN YEAR ONE

                             -----------------------

         PALO ALTO, CA AND HOUSTON, TX, SEPTEMBER 3, 2001 - Hewlett-Packard
Company (NYSE: HWP) and Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) announced today
a definitive merger agreement to create an $87 billion global technology leader.
The new HP will offer the industry's most complete set of IT products and
services for both businesses and consumers, with a commitment to serving
customers with open systems and architectures. The combined company will have #1
worldwide revenue positions in servers, access devices (PCs and hand-helds) and
imaging and printing, as well as leading revenue positions in IT services,
storage and management software.

         The merger is expected to generate cost synergies reaching
approximately $2.5 billion annually and drive a significantly improved cost
structure. Based on both companies' last four reported fiscal quarters, the new
HP would have approximate pro forma assets of $56.4 billion, annual revenues of
$87.4 billion and annual operating earnings of $3.9 billion. It would also have
operations in more than 160 countries and over 145,000 employees.

         Carly Fiorina, chairman and chief executive officer of HP, will be
chairman and CEO of the new HP. Michael Capellas, chairman and chief executive
officer of Compaq, will be president. Capellas and four other members of
Compaq's current Board of Directors will join HP's Board upon closing.



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         "This is a decisive move that accelerates our strategy and positions us
to win by offering even greater value to our customers and partners," said
Fiorina. "In addition to the clear strategic benefits of combining two highly
complementary organizations and product families, we can create substantial
shareowner value through significant cost structure improvements and access to
new growth opportunities. At a particularly challenging time for the IT
industry, this combination vaults us into a leadership role with customers and
partners -- together we will shape the industry for years to come."

         Capellas said, "We are creating a new kind of industry leader -- one
founded on customer success, world-class engineering, and best of breed products
and services. In sharp contrast to our competitors, we are committed to leading
the industry to open, market-unifying architectures and interoperability, which
reduce complexity and cost for our customers. With this move, we will change the
basis of competition in the industry."

         Under the terms of the agreement, unanimously approved by both Boards
of Directors, Compaq shareowners will receive 0.6325 of a newly issued HP share
for each share of Compaq, giving the merger a current value of approximately $25
billion. HP shareowners will own approximately 64% and Compaq shareowners 36% of
the merged company. The transaction, which is expected to be tax-free to
shareowners of both companies for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will be
accounted for as a purchase.

         The transaction is expected to be substantially accretive to HP's pro
forma earnings per share in the first full year of combined operations based on
achieving planned cost synergies. Cost synergies of approximately $2.0 billion
are expected in fiscal 2003, the first full year of combined operations. Fully
realized synergies are expected to reach a run rate of approximately $2.5
billion by mid-fiscal 2004. These anticipated synergies result from product
rationalization; efficiencies in administration, procurement, manufacturing and
marketing; and savings from improved direct distribution of PCs and servers.
Subject to regulatory and shareowner approvals and customary closing conditions,
the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2002. In connection
with the transaction, both companies have adopted shareowner rights plans;
information on these plans will be filed today with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


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         The merged entity will be headquartered in Palo Alto and retain a
significant presence in Houston, which will be a key strategic center of
engineering excellence and product development.

         The new HP will be structured around four operating units that build on
the companies' similar go-to-market and product development structures to
provide clear customer and competitive focus. Leadership and estimated revenues
(calculated by combining the two companies' trailing four reported fiscal
quarters) are as follows:

      o A $20 billion Imaging and Printing franchise to be led by Vyomesh Joshi,
      currently president, Imaging and Printing Systems, of HP.

      o A $29 billion Access Devices business to be led by Duane Zitzner,
      currently president, Computing Systems, of HP.

      o A $23 billion IT Infrastructure business, encompassing servers, storage
      and software, to be led by Peter Blackmore, currently executive vice
      president, Sales and Services, of Compaq.

      o A $15 billion Services business with approximately 65,000 employees in
      consulting, support and outsourcing to be led by Ann Livermore, currently
      president, HP Services.

         The chief financial officer of the combined entity will be Robert
Wayman, chief financial officer of HP. The integration team will be led by
Webb McKinney, currently president of HP's Business Customer Organization,
and Jeff Clarke, chief financial officer of Compaq.

         Fiorina concluded, "Clearly, the potential of this combination is
compelling, but we understand the magnitude of the challenge and the need for
discipline and speed. We're helped by the fact that both companies have been
pursuing similar organizational structures and sales force models, and there is
immense talent resident in both organizations. We have done comprehensive
integration planning and have clear metrics to drive our success. We are
committed to achieving the synergies we have identified while maintaining our
competitive position and momentum in the marketplace."


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INVESTMENT COMMUNITY AND MEDIA EVENT INFORMATION

         The companies will host a meeting for the investment community Tuesday,
Sept. 4, at 9 a.m. EDT at the Equitable Building in New York City, 787 Seventh
Avenue (between 51st & 52nd streets) in the Auditorium, Lower Level. Those
unable to attend may listen by calling (888) 849-9184 (US) or (212) 896-6074
(international), using reservation number: 19649821. The event can also be
accessed via audiocast at WWW.HP.COM or WWW.COMPAQ.COM. The slides used for this
presentation will be available on each company's website 10 minutes prior to the
start of the event. A replay will be available for 14 days following the meeting
at (800) 633-8284 (US) or (858) 812-6440 (international), using reservation
number: 19649821.

         There will also be a question and answer session for the media at 10:30
a.m. EDT following the analyst meeting, also in the Equitable Auditorium. Those
unable to attend may participate by calling (888) 754-3420 (US) or (212)
676-5416 (international), using reservation number: 19650338. The event can also
be accessed via audiocast at WWW.HP.COM or WWW.COMPAQ.COM. A replay will be
available for 14 days following the meeting at (800) 633-8284 (US) or (858)
812-6440 (international), using reservation number: 19650338.

FACT SHEET

A fact sheet related to the merger is attached to this press release.

CALCULATION OF COMBINED REVENUES

The statements of combined revenues in this release and the attached fact sheet
are estimates and have been calculated by adding similar category information
from the companies' separate filings with the Securities Exchange Commission for
each of their past four fiscal quarters. Because the companies have different
fiscal year-ends, these estimates do not track a matching time period. The
measurement method described above may result in amounts that differ from
amounts resulting from other methodologies the companies may use in the future.

ABOUT HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging
solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits
accessible to all. HP had total revenue from continuing operations of $48.8
billion in its 2000 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be
found on the World Wide Web at WWW.HP.COM.

ABOUT COMPAQ

Compaq Computer Corporation is a leading global provider of enterprise
technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets
hardware,


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software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage
and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions,
communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are
sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and
services is available at WWW.COMPAQ.COM.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

HP intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 in connection with the
transaction, and HP and Compaq intend to mail a joint proxy statement/prospectus
to their respective stockholders in connection with the transaction. Investors
and security holders of HP and Compaq are urged to read the joint proxy
statement/prospectus when it becomes available because it will contain important
information about HP, Compaq and the transaction. Investors and security holders
may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when it is
available) at the SEC's web site at WWW.SEC.GOV. A free copy of the joint proxy
statement/prospectus may also be obtained from HP or Compaq. HP and its
executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the
solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of HP and Compaq in favor of the
transaction. Information regarding the interests of HP's officers and directors
in the transaction will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Compaq and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants
in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of HP and Compaq in favor
of the transaction. Information regarding the interests of Compaq's officers and
directors in the transaction will be included in the joint proxy
statement/prospectus. In addition to the registration statement on form S-4 to
be filed by HP in connection with the transaction, and the joint proxy
statement/prospectus to be mailed to the stockholders of HP and Compaq in
connection with the transaction, each of HP and Compaq file annual, quarterly
and special reports, proxy and information statements, and other information
with the SEC. Investors may read and copy any of these reports, statements and
other information at the SEC's public reference rooms located at 450 5th Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C., 20549, or any of the SEC's other public reference rooms
located in New York and Chicago. Investors should call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on these public reference rooms. The reports, statements
and other information filed by HP and Compaq with the SEC are also available for
free at the SEC's web site at WWW.SEC.GOV. A free copy of these reports,
statements and other information may also be obtained from HP or Compaq.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release and the attached fact sheet contain forward-looking statements
that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than
statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed
forward-looking statements. For example, statements of expected synergies,
accretion, timing of closing, industry ranking, execution of integration plans
and management and organizational structure are all forward-looking statements.
Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that the market for
the sale of certain products and services may not develop as expected; that
development of these products and services may not proceed as planned; that the
transaction does not close or that the companies may be required to modify
aspects of the transaction to achieve regulatory approval; or that prior to the
closing of the proposed merger, the businesses of the companies suffer due to


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uncertainty; that the parties are unable to transition customers, successfully
execute their integration strategies, or achieve planned synergies; other risks
that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission
reports (including but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended Oct. 31, 2000, and subsequently filed reports); and other risks that
are described from time to time in Compaq's Securities and Exchange Commission
reports (including but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2000, and subsequently filed reports). If any of these
risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves
incorrect, HP's and Compaq's results could differ materially from HP's and
Compaq's expectations in these statements. HP and Compaq assume no obligation
and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

PRESS CONTACTS

For HP:  Rebecca Robboy, 650-857-2064
         Suzette Stephens, 650-236-5127

For Compaq: Arch Currid, 281-414-6919


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                              HP/COMPAQ FACT SHEET

TRANSACTION SUMMARY:

Structure:                     Stock-for-stock merger
Exchange Ratio:                0.6325 of an HP share per Compaq share
Current Value:                 Approximately $25 billion
Ownership:                     HP shareholders 64%; Compaq shareholders 36%
Accounting:                    Purchase
Expected Closing:              First half of 2002

OVERVIEW:

o     Creates an $87 billion global technology leader, with the industry's most
      complete set of IT products and services for both businesses and
      consumers.

o     New HP would be the #1 global player in servers, imaging & printing, and
      access devices (PCs & hand-helds), as well as Top 3 player in IT services,
      storage and management software.

o     The combination furthers each company's commitment to open,
      market-unifying systems and architectures and aggressive direct and
      channel distribution models.

o     Combined company can create substantial shareowner value through
      significant cost structure improvements and access to new growth
      opportunities.

o     Transaction expected to be substantially accretive to pro forma EPS in
      first full year of combined operations.

o     The merger is expected to generate cost synergies of approximately $2.0
      billion in fiscal 2003, the first full year of operations; fully realized
      synergies are expected to reach a run rate of approximately $2.5 billion
      by mid-fiscal 2004.

o     New HP would have operations in more than 160 countries and over 145,000
      employees.




KEY FACTS (LAST 4 QTRS):   HP                 COMPAQ          PRO FORMA COMBINED
                           --                 ------          ------------------
                                                        
Total Revenues             $47.0 billion      $40.4 billion      $87.4 billion
Assets                     $32.4 billion      $23.9 billion      $56.4 billion
Operating Earnings         $2.1 billion       $1.9 billion       $3.9 billion


LEADERSHIP:

o     Board of Directors: 5 Compaq directors to join HP Board
o     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer: Carly Fiorina
o     President: Michael Capellas
o     Chief Financial Officer: Robert Wayman
o     Imaging & Printing: Vyomesh Joshi
o     Access Devices: Duane Zitzner
o     IT Infrastructure: Peter Blackmore
o     Services: Ann Livermore


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