http error 500 on large shopping carts

[CndCarrie]

I had a client that tried to place a large order approx 150 to 200 items. the pages on front end and backend kept timing out. Finally she ended up placing 3 smaller orders. 

 

My webmaster says its the server, the hosting company says its coding.... 

 

I thought it was an isolated event but now today I have 6 abandoned carts and when I try to take a look at them I just get the http error 500. So im sure some of those people maybe having ordering issues as well.

 

Anyone hear of this? any ideas? I am using 1.6.1.15

 

I saw a couple of http error 500 posts but I can't read those languages.

 

Thank you for any help.

Carrie