There are several interface standards for passing data between a hard disk and a computer. The most common are IDE and SCSI.

Hard disk drives are sometimes called Winchester drives, Winchester being the name of one of the first popular hard disk drive technologies developed by IBM in 1973.

See What's Inside a Hard Drive? in the Did You Know ... ? section of Webopedia.
Also see Formatting a Hard Disk Drive in the "Did You Know...?" section of Webopedia.
Also see Learn How to Defrag Your Hard Drive in the Did You Know...? section of Webopedia.
Also see "Tips to Fix a Slow Running Computer" in the Quick Reference section of Webopedia.

Hard Disk Interfaces and Configuration 
Describes the different major interface standards currently used by hard disks (and other devices). Provides sections about the IDE/ATA and SCSI interfaces. This page is from "The PC Guide."

PC Guide's hard disk drive reference 
Offers a large amount of information covering construction and operation, geometry and formatting, performance factors, BIOS and size issues, interfaces, configuration and file systems.

The Storage Review 
Focuses on reviews and technology news related to storage devices, particularly hard disk drives.

Troubleshooting Hard Disk Drives 
Includes troubleshooting information for a wide variety of hard disk problems. This page is from "The PC Guide."

Windrivers.com - device driver information 
A comprehensive resource for information about Windows 3.1, 95 and NT device drivers. Offers searchable categories for companies, products and FCC ID numbers as well as hard drive and memory specifications, and downloadable utilities.

IDE Device Setup / Autodetection
Describes the BIOS settings that control the setup of IDE/ATA devices (particularly hard disk drives). This page is from "The PC Guide".

Operation of the Hard Disk Drive
Outlines the construction and operation of a PC’s hard disk drive and its relevant interface standards. Includes graphics, diagrams and an integrated glossary. This page is from "The PC Technology Guide."

Internal Hard Drive Parts
What's inside your internal hard drive? Find out here.

Webopedia Quick Reference: Common Windows PC Issues
Tips to Diagnose and fix a slow running computer.

Webopedia's "Did You Know... Preventative Maintenance Tips for Your PC"
The following tips will serve as a basic guideline to keep your PC maintained to run efficiently, increase component lifespan and also will help lessen the likelihood of PC failure.