Question : SQL Timeout when Changing Char Field Length

SQL Server 2005
Table Info:
Data Space - 21 GB
Index Space - 6 GB

Summary:
I have been attempting to change the length of a non-key char field from 25 to 32. Each time, I am receiving timeout issues. I increased the timeout options per my attached image and it still times out. I noticed one of the initial attempts it had asked me if I wanted to save the changes that would be made to the affected tables (related by foreign key constraints) and I chose yes. When I did this it made its attempt to update the table and tables with the FK's and eventually timed out in addition to dropping my FK's.

Question:
What is the best method of changing the character length of a non-key field within a large table using a query rather than the designer, while keeping the integrity of the FK's? To this point, I haven't had to do much with managing indexes or FK's so I'm a little gray in that area.  

Attachments:

factcustsales.bmp (9.9 MB) (File Type Details) 

Timeout Settings

Answer : SQL Timeout when Changing Char Field Length

alter table mytable alter column mycol varchar(32)