YEs, typically that sound means the Hard Drive crashed. Although you may be able to still use it, its not recomended. Hopefully you backed up you important files because most likely they are un-recoverable. Does the laptop boot at all? If so, do you get a hard drive not found error? any errors?

You can easily replace a hard drive on a laptop. usually you just remove a small screw and pull the old hard drive out and replace with a new one.

Go to any computer store or if you can, order one online as it may be cheaper.

Order a new one, get one with more hard drive space if you want, especially if you have alot of files.

Make sure its the right type of Hard drive as well. I.E. SATA or IDE. If you dont know, then take your old hard drive with you to a computer store with knowledgable techs who can get you the right one. Typicall you can get an 80 gig hard drive for under $60 depending if its a SATA or IDE and what speed it is.

Keep the old one untill you know the new one is the right one in case you have to compare it again with another one.

You will have to re-install your operating system ( Windows XP, Vista, ETC. )

then once all that is done, you will have to go through the task of re-installing all your software, printers and files.

Hope you kept that re-install disk that came with the laptop, that has your hardware drivers and Operating system on it.

Dont be affraid to look at the specifications of the laptop in the owners manual or to take that with you when you go looking for a new hard drive.

Being knowledgable about what your looking for helps to keep sales people from selling you more than what your looking for.

Tigerdirect.com and Newegg.com are two placethat have the item your looking for and usually at a good price.

Good luck.