Mass collides with spring and mass

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The discussion revolves around a collision involving two blocks and a spring, where block m1 (1.60 kg) moves right at +4.00 m/s and block m2 (2.10 kg) moves left at -2.50 m/s. The spring constant is given as 600 N/m, and the goal is to find the velocity of block m2 when block m1 is moving at +3.00 m/s, as well as the distance the spring is compressed at that moment. Participants suggest using conservation of momentum and conservation of energy to formulate two equations for the two unknowns. A step-by-step approach to setting up these equations is requested for clarity. The discussion emphasizes the complexity of the system and the need for a structured method to solve it.
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A block of mass m1=1.60kg initially moving to the right with a speed of +4.00m/s on a frictionless horizontal track collides with a spring attached to a second block of mass m2=2.10kg initially moving to the left with a speed of -2.50m/s. The spring constant is 600N/m. At the instant block 1 is moving to the right with a speed of +3.00m/s, determine the velocity of block 2. Determine the distance the spring is compressed at that instant.

KE=1/2mv^2
Elastic PE=1/2Kx^2
Fp=Kx
Fs=-Kx

I'm going to start with conservation of energy, but this is too complex of a system for me to even begin. A step by step of how to set up this equation would be most helpful. Thank you all for your help!

 
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Try conservation of momentum.
 
Use both conservation of energy and comservation of momentum to get 2 equations for the 2 unknowns.
 

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