The bigger issue I think is that you haven't provided any abstraction layer for performance tuning and you're not taking advantage of the power of SQL Server. Stored procedures can...

Usually a group by has an aggregate in it (SUM, COUNT,etc). Otherwise you're not really grouping by anything.

No hammers or nails needed. Just $20-25 for tokens at the batting cage. Get a nice 34-incher.

OK a few grammar items so I'm sure we're communicating.

You have a database "ON" a system. It can be set up to automatically take a backup "TO" itself, meaning copy...

It is possible the stats are out of date for the insert, but that won't matter. They aren't used for an insert. They're used on the next SELECT. Running stats...

You are running from the "Binn" directory? Other commands work, like "dir"

What about just running "sqlservr"

I haven't seen much in my list of blogs (50-60) that I check. There are some good entries with Craig Freedman, but seems to be 2005.

I don't think there are...

I'd look to split these out. You can build a bigger box, but if you have issues, especially runaway queries, then it affects a lot of clients. Better to limit...

My vote is detach, attach.

I hear great things about the Apex Editor and SQLPrompt from Red Gate.

If you have a nice budget, Erbarkadero has a nice modeling tool if you have a use for...

I'd run Profiler, grab the most often run queries, and start dissecting what they mean and how the data relates. Most often run queries mean you'll deal with that data...

If it's in the current folder, run sqlservr.exe -m only.

If you have auto statistics set, then SQL Server will calculate them. I think this is done when you create the index, but I'm not 100% sure. You can force...

Not sure what you mean? Your question is not clear.

Why not use DTS? Insert to a staging table, very quick, then run cleanup on it.