Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Series D Convertible Junior Preference Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost	Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Oct. 31, 2008	$ (1,532)	$ 4	$ 7	$ 1,966		$ (2,421)	$ (957)	$ (137)	$ 6
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	345				320	320			25
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	97				97
Postretirement benefit adjustment	(830)				(830)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)					(733)		(733)
Total comprehensive income (loss)					(413)
Stock options recorded as redeemable equity securities	(6)			(6)
Redeemable equity securities modification	130			130
Transfer from redeemable equity securities upon exercise or expiration of stock options	6			6
Stock-based compensation	16			16
Stock ownership programs	14			(3)				17
Stock repurchase programs	(29)							(29)
Call options and warrants, net	(38)			(38)
Equity component of convertible debt instruments	110			110
Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interest	(20)								(20)
Non-controlling interest upon consolidation of BDP and BDT	53								53
Other	(3)								(3)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2009	(1,687)	4	7	2,181		(2,101)	(1,690)	(149)	61
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	267				223	223			44
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	22				22
Postretirement benefit adjustment	472				472
Total other comprehensive income (loss)					494		494
Total comprehensive income (loss)					717
Transfer from redeemable equity securities upon exercise or expiration of stock options	5			5
Stock-based compensation	18			18
Stock ownership programs	27			2				25
Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interest	(57)								(57)
Other	1			0					1
Balance at Oct. 31, 2010	(932)	4	7	2,206		(1,878)	(1,196)	(124)	49
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	1,778				1,723	1,723			55
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(19)				(19)
Postretirement benefit adjustment	(729)				(729)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)					(748)		(748)
Total comprehensive income (loss)					975
Transfer from redeemable equity securities upon exercise or expiration of stock options	3			3
Stock-based compensation	27			27
Stock ownership programs	30			(8)				38
Stock repurchase programs	(105)							(105)
Forward contract for accelerated stock repurchase program	(20)			(20)
Impact to additional paid-in capital for valuation allowance release	45			45
Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interest	(53)								(53)
Other	(2)	1							(1)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2011	$ 23	$ 3	$ 7	$ 2,253		$ (155)	$ (1,944)	$ (191)	$ 50