Financial Instruments (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 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	406
Due in one to five years	3
Due in more than five years	364
Total debt securities, at cost	773
Contractual maturities of short-term and long-term investments in available-for-sale debt securities, Fair value
Due in less than one year	406
Due in one to five years	3
Due in more than five years	429
Total debt securities, at estimated fair value	838
Impairment charge related to a public equity investment other than temporary	$ 60