Activation Server Error E_ADEPT_CONNECTION_EXCEPTION

I'm trying to authorise Digital Editions with my overdrive account on my Windows 8.1 Lenovo z580 laptop

I get the following error message:

     Activation Server Error

     code: E_ADEPT_SIGNIN_CONNECTION_EXCEPTION http://adeactivate.adobe.com/adept/SignInDirectOverdrive      https://account.api.overdrive.com/v2/adobe/auth

     Digital Editions encountered an error on the activation server.

The only report of the same error that I found was fixed by syncing the windows time/date with Microsoft, which mine already is.

Any help would be gratefully received.