T440s: How to enable the Windows eDrive feature?

Question

I would like to enable the eDrive feature on my T440s to encrypt my hard drive. How can I do this?
In order to do so,I enabled "OS optimized defaults" in the bios settingsLoaded them and saved themDid a clean install of Windows 8.1 and removed all partitions during this processInstalled all Lenovo driversInstalled all Windows updatesTried to turn on bit lockerAccording to [1] "If everything is eDrive compliant you won’t be asked whether or you want to encrypt all or part of the drive". However, I am asked whether I want to encrypt all or part of the drive!! So my questions is, what is wrong? How can I enable the eDrive feature? [1] http://www.anandtech.com/show/6891/

Answer 1

lax20531
This process below worked for me to enable the eDrive and configure HW-mode BitLocker.  Would you please try it and let me know if it works for you?  If you have any questions about these steps, let me know.
EDIT 1/9/2014 - these steps still may not work and should be ignored for now.
Backup your personal data, because we are getting ready to wipe the SSD to enable the eDrive function
Create the USB Recovery Drive
Boot the USB Recovery Drive
Select your language and keyboard layout, as prompted
click on "Troubleshoot"
click on "Reset your PC"
click on "Next", and the target operating system, as prompted
At the screen about "Do you want to repartition the drives on your PC?", click on "Yes, repartition the drives"  <-- IMPORTANT because eDrive is only enabled when the partitions are recreated.
Click on "Just remove my files"
Click on "Reset"
The PC will be restored with the contents of the USB Recovery Drive.  This will take several minutes, and the PC will reboot itself.  When the process is complete, you will be at the Win8 setup screen "Region and Language", just like when you unboxed your PC and booted it for the first time.
Go through Win8 setup, connect to network, create your account, etc
Open Device Manager
Expand the category "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers"
Double-click on "Intel 8 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller"
Click on the "Driver" tab
Click on "Update Driver"
Click on "Browse my computer for driver software"
Click on "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer"
Click on "Standard SATA ACHI Controller" and then click on "Next"  <-- IMPORTANT since eDrive won't work with the Intel driver.  You must use the Microsoft standard driver instead.
Click on "Close", then click on "Close" again.  Reboot as prompted.
Open Control Panel -> System and Security -> Windows Update -> Check for Updates
Download and install all available Important and Optional updates  <-- IMPORTANT because Win8 itself has some bug about BitLocker.  It is fixed in one of the updates, but I'm not sure which one.
Repeat steps 23 and 24 until no more Windows Updates are available
Open Control Panel -> System and Security -> BitLocker Drive Encryption
Click on "Turn on BitLocker"
Save the recovery key as prompted, then click "Next".  If you saved the recovery key on a USB drive, be sure to remove the USB drive before continuing.
Click on "Continue" to run the the BitLocker system check
Reboot as prompted
BitLocker should now be running the HW mode
To confirm it:  open a command prompt as administrator, then run "manage-bde.exe -status".  The Encryption Method should be listed as "Hardware Encryption"