AGP GART CORRUPTION: How to Fix BSOD Errors

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October 23, 2024
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AGP GART CORRUPTION: How to Fix BSOD Errors

This article provides a comprehensive guide to resolving the AGP_GART_CORRUPTION BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) on your Windows machine.

Typically, these blue screen issues can be traced back to graphics rendering problems, irrespective of whether your system has a dedicated graphics card or relies on shared memory. The solutions are relatively simple, provided that your external or internal GPU is functional, but there may be issues with the drivers.

I replicated the notorious 0x00000105 error in a controlled environment, and after thorough testing, I’ve identified several effective solutions that will help you save time.

Understanding AGP_GART_CORRUPTION

The AGP_GART_CORRUPTION error signifies a Blue Screen of Death issue primarily affecting systems utilizing older graphic technologies, specifically the Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP). The components associated with this BSOD error, including hardware and drivers, display the following details:

STOP Code: AGP_GART_CORRUPTION

Bug Check Value: 0x00000105

Description: The Graphics Aperture Remapping Table (GART) has incurred a corruption.

To mitigate further damage, the system crashes whenever there’s an anomaly in the graphics memory management.

Potential Causes

This BSOD error often stems from improper direct memory access (DMA) by either an AGP or GPU driver. Additional common contributors may include:

The new memory modules not being compatible with the existing AGP card.
The AGP card may not be suitable for a newer motherboard that has support for both AGP and PCIe slots.
The driver for AGP or PCIe GPUs could be outdated.
Malware may be interfering with GPU and system memory functions.
Your GPU may be overclocked beyond what it can support.
The AGP card may not be seated properly in its slot or could be damaged.
Shared memory modules may be defective.

Steps to Resolve AGP_GART_CORRUPTION BSOD Error

Below are the troubleshooting methods you can try, arranged from simplest to more complex solutions:

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Restart your computer: If the screen freezes with a blue error, simply reboot your PC. Test performance by running graphically intensive applications. If the error does not recur, then the issue may be resolved.
Connect via VGA: Utilize a VGA cable to link your display unit to the CPU.
Restart the graphics card: Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to refresh the GPU.
Power cycle: Turn off your PC. Unplug all external cables, including the power cable. Hold the power button for 30 seconds. Reconnect the cables and power on your device. For laptops, remove the battery and perform the same step.
Update your operating system: Launch Settings with Windows + I combination. Navigate to Update & Security and click on Check for updates or Install updates. Follow the prompts and allow Windows to restart.

Revert graphics driver: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features > select your driver (like NVIDIA) and click Uninstall. Then, reinstall the latest version from the NVIDIA site or the AMD site.

Update graphics driver: Access Device Manager by right-clicking the Windows button. Expand Display adapters, select your external GPU (either NVIDIA or AMD Radeon), right-click and choose Update driver. Opt for Search automatically for drivers and follow the instructions given.

Remove Recent Driver Installations

Some reports in Microsoft Community suggest that unverified or corrupted graphics drivers lead to BSODs. To completely remove any problematic drivers, use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) by following these steps:

Download DDU from its official site.
Install the application.
Launch DDU from your Desktop.
Select GPU from the Select device type dropdown.
Click on the Clean and restart option.

The tool will comprehensively eliminate the existing graphic driver, including related caches, folders, temporary files, and registry entries.

Afterward, download and install the authentic NVIDIA or AMD Radeon drivers from the following portals:

Utilize the Driver Verifier Tool

The built-in Driver Verifier in Windows identifies unstable, fraudulent, or problematic drivers on your PC. Here’s how you can determine which driver might be triggering the AGP_GART_CORRUPTION error:

Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu.
Choose Terminal (Admin).
The Windows PowerShell terminal will appear.
Type in verifier and hit Enter.
The Driver Verifier GUI will open.
Choose Create standard settings under the Select a task section, then click Next.

Keep the default option: Automatically select unsigned drivers and click Next.

Should the tool identify any questionable driver, note it down and uninstall it via Apps or Device Manager.

Run the Microsoft Safety Scanner

These steps ensure that malware isn’t the source of your issues:

Download the appropriate Microsoft Safety Scanner for either 32-bit or 64-bit systems from Microsoft’s official website.
Run the EXE file by double-clicking it.
Click Next twice until you reach the Scan type screen.

Select Full scan and click Next.
Upon completion, the tool will eliminate any detected malware.

Click Finish to exit the program.

Conduct a Windows Memory Diagnostic

This test evaluates whether the RAM is defective. Follow these instructions:

Open the Start menu by clicking the Windows icon.
Type Windows Memory, then select Windows Memory Diagnostic from the Best match results.

Click the icon to open the interface.
Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended).

Once the test completes and the sign-in screen appears, log back into your account.

To check the results of the memory diagnostic:

Open the Event Viewer from the Start menu.
Extend the Windows Logs section and select System.

Review the entries on the right-hand side, including Warning, Error, Information, and locate MemoryDiagnostics-Results.
Click on MemoryDiagnostics-Results and check the details in the General tab below.
If the General tab states ‘Windows Memory Diagnostic didn’t detect any errors,’ then there’s no need to be concerned about the RAM.
If you observe any of the following error messages, consider replacing your memory modules:
- Hardware Errors Detected
- Memory Test Failure
- Parity Errors
- ECC (Error-Correcting Code) Memory Errors
- Read/Write Errors
- Page Faults
- Address Line Errors
- Cache Errors
- Bit Errors (Single or Multi-Bit)
- Pattern Test Errors

Turn Off Overclocking

In case you have been overclocking your CPU, GPU, or RAM for gaming or heavy processes, disable these settings to see if the problem persists.

If you utilize MSI Afterburner for overclocking, here’s how:

Open MSI Afterburner.
Set the Core Clock slider back to 0+.
Adjust the Memory Clock slider to 0+ as well.

Click the Save button.
Restart your computer.

Boot Windows in Safe Mode

By running the PC in safe mode, you can determine whether any third-party applications are causing the AGP_GART_CORRUPTION error:

Press the Start menu button, then hold down the Shift key while clicking on the power icon and choosing Restart.

Select Troubleshoot from the Choose an option screen.

Next, click on Advanced options in the Troubleshoot menu.
Select Startup settings.

Choose Restart.
In the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, then press Enter.

While in safe mode, monitor the system for stability. If the error does not manifest, a third-party app is likely to blame.

To exit safe mode, reboot the PC and remove any recently installed software via the Apps menu in Settings.

Revert Your PC to a Previous State

Another option is to restore your PC to a point when it was functioning correctly, which resets any changes that may have caused the AGP_GART_CORRUPTION error. Please note, however, that this won’t affect newly installed hardware.

For validation, if you’ve installed a new AGP card and drivers, the driver will be removed, but the hardware will remain intact.

To restore your PC:

Type Restore in the Start menu and select Create a restore point.
You’ll see the System Properties dialog box.
Click the System Restore button.

Opt for the recommended point or select a different one as per your requirement.
Click Next.

Click the Finish button to complete the restoration process.

Reseat Graphics Card and RAM

Often, simply removing and reinserting the relevant hardware can rectify the BSOD issue. Here’s how to do that:

Shut down the computer and unplug all cables.
If your system has an external Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module, disconnect it as well.
Open the left side of the cabinet door.
Wear an anti-static wristband or touch a grounded metal surface to release any static charge.
Avoid touching any internal components without grounding yourself to prevent hardware damage.
Unlock the RAM modules by pushing down on the lock keys.
Carefully remove the RAM chips.
Pull the small white lever on the AGP slot to unlock the graphics card.
Remove the AGP card cautiously.
Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
Reinsert both the AGP card and RAM chips into their respective slots.
Close the cabinet door and reconnect all cables.
Power on your system and observe performance by running intensive applications or games.

Consider Replacing the AGP Card

If you frequently encounter the AGP_GART_CORRUPTION BSOD, the AGP card may be defective. If a similar issue occurs with a PCIe GPU, the external graphics card may also be failing.

Testing with a different AGP or PCIe GPU could provide clarity; if the problem doesn’t reappear over several hours, buying a new card may be necessary.

Inquire About Warranty Support

Before purchasing a new GPU, check for warranty assistance from the manufacturer. Typically, AGP and PCIe graphics cards include a 3-year warranty.

Below are customer support links for major graphics card manufacturers:

For bundled PCs or laptops from manufacturers, contact them directly regarding warranty inquiries.