Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes from continuing operations	$ 32	$ (4)	$ 93
Foreign earnings earmarked for permanent reinvestment total	151
Operating loss carry forwards, expire date	2032
Capital loss carry forwards	42
Capital loss carry forwards, expire date	2014
Uncertain tax positions (excluding interest and penalties)	10
Release of uncertain tax positions		134
Liability for interest and penalties	7
Reasonably possible within the next 12 months range, reduction of liability for unrecognized tax benefits	8
Reasonably possible within the next 12 months range, increase of liability for unrecognized tax benefits	2
Federal [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards	186
State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards	207
Foreign [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards	820
Valuation allowance of foreign tax loss carry forwards	360
Utilized [Member] | Foreign [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards	766
2031 [Member] | Foreign [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards	$ 54