WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

13. WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES

Warranties

We accrue for standard warranty costs based on historical trends in warranty charges as a percentage of net product shipments. The accrual is reviewed regularly and periodically adjusted to reflect changes in warranty cost estimates. Estimated warranty charges are recorded within cost of products at the time products are sold. The standard warranty accrual balances are held in other accrued and other long-term liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Our standard warranty terms typically extend between one and three years from the date of delivery, depending on the product.

A summary of the standard warranty accrual activity is shown in the table below:

	Six Months Ended
	April 30,
	2013			2012
	(in millions)
Beginning balance as of November 1	$	60		$	50
Accruals for warranties including change in estimate	45			43
Settlements made during the period	(43		)	(37		)
Ending balance as of April 30	$	62		$	56

Contingencies

We are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including patent, commercial and environmental matters. There are no matters pending that we currently believe are probable of having a material impact to our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On March 4, 2013, we made a report to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense regarding pricing irregularities relating to certain sales of electronic measurement products to U.S. government agencies. We will cooperate with any government investigation of this matter.  At this point, we cannot predict or estimate the duration, scope, cost, or result of this matter or whether the government will commence any legal action.