1.Well that's a good thing that you got this error, Check your max_input_time, max_out_put, Max upload, server load.
2.Do you have access to your root files? Does your host allows you to edit those files. Sometimes host give you access but they revert your change the moment you exit c-pannel.
If you're doing fresh install, then delete the old site and make new one and then install Madara 1.7.3.3 and all of it's plugins, Don't customize anything just let it be empty. Install Madara sample plugin, then install sample data. After that you can update to 1.7.3.4