Financial Instruments (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012 Equity securities in privately held companies	Oct. 31, 2011 Equity securities in privately held companies
Investment Holdings
Included in long-term financing receivables and other assets		$ 51	$ 48
Contractual maturities of short-term and long-term investments in available-for-sale debt securities, Cost
Due in less than one year	314
Due in one to five years	71
Due in more than five years	311
Total debt securities, at cost	696
Contractual maturities of short-term and long-term investments in available-for-sale debt securities, Fair value
Due in less than one year	314
Due in one to five years	54
Due in more than five years	374
Total debt securities, at estimated fair value	742
Impairment charge related to a public equity investment	$ 50.7