I'm sure the owning company of this website would be happy to recommend a backup solution for you...

you don't see why more specifics are needed? 

Imagine you had a contract to build a database for this system, and your spec from the client amounted to this thread. ...

if you have AS 2005, all that is not necessary if the server is visible on the network.  Just type the AS instance name (either a default or named instance)...

will these subcategories have values?  if so, you are veering dangerously close to the EAV model, which is a nightmare IMO.

quantities such as make, height, type, and color do not...

I was looking for more specifics than that.  Does each form describe a zoo animal?  a flying machine?  a psychiatric disorder? 

Without more detail about what each form represents, I...

I am pretty sure this is not supported. 

can you describe what the data represents?  is it an order form, a job application, or what?

Does each form represent the data for a distinct object?  if so different tables...

That's why in many Address tables, you have columns for AddressLine1, AddressLine2, etc.

You'll be better off in the long run if you follow Kenneth's advice.

also, you can manage express with SSMS no problem.

are you saying you don't have backups of this database?  if so you have bigger problems to worry about.

you say there are privacy concerns - would you customers be concerned...

I pretty much always use bcp as it's the most efficient and controllable/automatable.  cmd line apps are the best.

or just reinstall the client tools.  sucks but I don't have a better suggestion.  maybe someone else will come along with a better answer.

if you are new to sql server, why bother with 2000?  I would go for 2005 if I were you.  There's a free version called SQL 2005 Express. http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345154.aspx

there's a...

use bcp.exe instead and pass -b5000

Just wanted to plug the following: bcp.exe

it will export all the data in any table or query you care to write, and much faster to import than a .sql file...