"Unexpectedly disconnected" Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight

I have installed Command and Conquer 4, from my own disc, bought a couple of years ago. I recall I could never get it to work on my old computer so have tried it on this one. Windows 7, more than meets the tech spec, I have a hard-line internet connection running at over 30mbps and it hasn't cut out for over 14 days. 

The game installed, launched a dialogue box to download the various patches and so forth and then launched the opening screen of the game. I get the "EA" logo and then a box which says "Unexpectedly disconnected, please check your connection". My connection to the internet is fine, thbere have been no blips, drops or other changes to it. Yet i can not login. 

I tried to ring the support line, after going through a number of sub menu's it disconnected me with a recorded message saying to check online.... Not terribly useful.

So, here is the question: why will the game connect to download patches et al and log me in at the intial start game box ("Welcome Commander. Log in with your primary EA account...") but not into the game instelf? I paid some £30 for this when it came out and have never yet actually been able to play the game. Some support would be appreciated.