Aiglon,
The ringing sound sounds like a series of error codes in the POST routine. I must say that the only time I've heard a "ringing" has been due to a stuck keyboard!
Assuming that the ringing is a series of error codes, I would suspect hardware failure is rather more likely than virus attack, but virus is not impossible.
I assume that you have checked the BIOS for the hard disk - is it still reported?
Have you opened up the case and checked all the cables? Remove and replace the IDE and power cables.
Does the hard disk spin up - can you hear it / see drive light?
When you boot up via the recovery diskette, can you get to the C: drive? As in get to a DOS prompt and type C: and see the prompt change to C:>?
What does FDISK report?
What AV program do you use, when did you last update it and when did you last scan?
I can't see that Zonealarm would have trashed the File Allocation Table (FAT) - but a virus could have. Or a head crash.
Is this the same PC as had the HD failure before? If so, is it adequately ventilated - heat is a killer, and a dusty PC or one with the vents obstructed can overheat easily.