Basic Explanation:
I use excel to break down stock market data into charts for analysis.  Over
time I have linked many spread sheets in an extremely tangled web of mixed up
data.  I have many charts in one spread sheet that may have been created and
have source data from another work book.  I have many formulas that are
computing other formula results from other workbooks.  In some cases I have
to open ten workbooks in order to update all of the charts that were
centralized into one workbook.  

Problem:
1)  In order to update information in one file I may to have wait several
minutes as I open, close and save many large excel files.
2)  I wish to buy a new computer but I am concerned that my excel links will
not work without the exact same directory and file names on the new computer.
I actually bought Excel 2007 but continue to use Excel 2003 because the new
file name of 2007 was causing problems with my linked workbooks.
3)  Some of the larger files are 380MB and they take around 5 minutes to
save and close down.

Questions:
1)  Am I using the right program for what I am trying to do?  Is excel the
right program for this type of analysis or should I be using a data base
program such as Sequel Server?  Unfortunately I do not have experience with
another program.
2)  Is there a way to transfer these excel files and create new links on a
new computer automatically?  Will they have to be re-linked individually when
the file is opened on the new computer?  Is there an easy way to link the
workbooks if I were to switch to 2007?
3)  Do you have any quick thoughts or suggestions to point me in the right
direction?

Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you for reading my post and I hope to
hear from someone.