Im getting a high pitched continuous beep on startup. The computer powers off, and the beep continues until i turn off the power switch on the PSU. I know this usually means CPU is overheating, or the fan is not working correctly. This doesnt seem to be the issue though.

The fan is properly mounted on the CPU with the right amount of paste, any suggestions?

/hopes to god its not a faulty CPU.

Is this a new problem? Were things working OK previously?

You are correct that this usually is the behavior of an automatic shutdown due to CPU heat.

Try with the case open. I have also seen it suggested to blow canned air onto the CPU (as this air is cold) just to test the heat issue.

If this is a new build that has never worked: are you sure the CPU is seated properly and in the correct orientation?

Actually its a strange situation, sometimes the computer would run for days without the power off, I recently did some part swapping with the ram, and now I cant get it passed booting up.

So in answer, no this is not a new setup. It had an OS installed at one point and the problem came and went.

The CPU is seated correctly, and the case is open. I put an actual fan next to the case blowing in, and it didnt seem to help. Whats weird, is when i can actually get in the bios, the CPU temperature appears normal. I have tried disabling FOC control and raising the shut off temperature. Nothing seems to work.

Flashing the Bios is the only way i can access it though, and each time when doing boot checks, the CPU comes up as a 990mhz procesor instead of the AMD 3200 it should be.

Thank you for the prompt response! Looking forward to any suggestions you can offer

As you mention the CPU underclocking I thought that you might be interested in this thread:

http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread.php?t=41636

Do you have another CPU that you could try out?