16mb startup sodimm test error

Hi,
I recently bought a second hand mpc500. It has the basic 16mb installed. At start up the screen shows 'SODIMM test 16M'. On 'pass 1' it gets to about 60% before showing the following error 'Memory Problem Check the Memory'.
I know others have posted about a similar error after installing the 128mb card but I couldn't find any posts with regard to 16M so any help would be appreciated.
I was intending to buy the 128mb card. Would this fix the problem or do I have to fix the 16mb first?
Thanks guys.

It might and might not considering that its a 2nd hand beast.

I believe that when you install the 128 RAM, the MPC will totally ignore the internal 16MB and will just read from the 128, so yes it could fix the problem. But then again it could be defected.

I would return it if possible, but if not try installing the RAM and keep us posted.

Thanks for the advice.