The Sims - crash on keyboard stroke

[fury5000]

I'm running the "house party" expansion pack and had the same problem with "the sims" (original).
Once within the game (having moved a family into a house or even exploring the tutorial house) any keyboard stroke freezes the game. The mouse cursor still moves but nothing can be done. I have to reboot the machine because not even the win 98 task manager can be summoned. I've searched though previous posts just about as much as any single person possibly can and have come up with nothing similar.
If anyone has come across a similar problem, or has any ideas, please give me a shout.

F