This Isn't A Problem, But A Question

I have had my computer now for about three years. It's an emachine T4010. My previous computer (also an emachine) came equipped with Windows 98 and this one came equipped with Windows XP, and I currently am using Explorer 7 to surf the web.

On my old computer, I frequently used to use the "Disk Cleanup," "Disk Defragmenter" and "Scan Disk For Errors" tabs to keep it functioning at optimum.

On my new computer, I've been pretty much doing the same with the "Disk Cleanup" and "Disk Defragmenter" functions since I've owned it. Now, after three years, I've just discovered purely by accident that Windows XP also comes equipped with a "Scan Disk For Errors" device. Unlike the other two functions, it doesn't appear in the Start pop-up by default, and I stumbled upon it via this route:

My Computer> Local Disk C (right click)> Sharing And Security> Tools Tab> Error Checking. When you click the "Check Now" button, it gives you these options:

Automatically fix file system errors
Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors

I selected those options, then restarted my computer like it told me to. It took about an hour for it to finish scanning and correcting whatever needed to be corrected, and then rebooted itself once again.

Anyhow, I'm satisfied with the results, but have noticed something. This process causes a thin light blue strip to appear underneath my google toolbar, which always disappears every time I shut down and start up the computer without going through the whole "Check The Volume For Errors" process.

I'd just like to know what that thin light blue strip represents, whether or not it's a good thing that it's there, and if it is a good thing, is there any way of getting it to stay there without going through the whole "Check For Errors" process. It does not appear to be having any effect on the quality of my internet use one way or the other.

Thank you in advance for any info.

 

Thank you. Anyhow, for normal maintenance, how often do you feel one should go through the whole "Scan Disk For Errors" process?