| **Stockholders' deficit (Tables)**                                           | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]**                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] | Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of the following as of October 31:   2011 2010 2009(in millions)      Postretirement and other postemployment benefits (2,045) (1,316) (1,788)Foreign currency translation adjustments 101 120 98Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,944) (1,196) (1,690) |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |