Investments in and advances to non-consolidated affiliates (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments, Summarized Financial Information, Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes 100% of the combined assets, liabilities, and equity of our equity method affiliates as of October 31:

(in millions)	2012		2011
Assets:	(Unaudited)
Current assets	$	271	$	214
Noncurrent assets	199		238
Total assets	$	470	$	452
Liabilities and equity:
Current liabilities	$	195	$	118
Noncurrent liabilities	91		117
Total liabilities	286		235
Partners' capital and stockholders' equity:
NIC	55		73
Third parties	129		144
Total partners' capital and stockholders' equity	184		217
Total liabilities and equity	$	470	$	452

Schedule of Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes 100% of the combined results of operations of our equity method affiliates for the years ended October 31:

	2012			2011(A)			2010
(in millions)	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Net sales	$	704		$	938		$	659
Costs, expenses, and income tax expense	726			1,069			755
Net loss	$	(22	)	$	(131	)	$	(96	)

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(A) Includes amounts for NC² through September 29, 2011.

Schedule of transactions with affiliates [Table Text Block]

Amounts due to and due from our affiliates arising from the sale and purchase of products and services as of October 31 are as follows:

(in millions)	2012		2011
Receivables due from affiliates	$	32	$	30
Payables due to affiliates	29		29

NC2 Global LLC [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Summarized financial information for NC2 Global, LLC

Presented below is summarized financial information representing 100% of NC², which was considered a significant non-consolidated affiliate in 2011 and 2010, prior to increasing the equity interest in September 2011.

(in millions)	Eleven Months Ended September 29, 2011			Year Ended October 31, 2010
Net revenue	$	235		$	63
Net expenses	318			135
Loss before tax expense	(83		)	(72		)
Net loss	(83		)	(72		)