booting problem: Checking fille system

i have an HP laptop running Windows 7 (64 bit). recently when i turn it on i get a black screen and the following message:

Checking fille system on C:
The file type of the file is NTFS.

One or more disks needs to be checked for consistency.
You may cancel the disk check put it is strongly recommended that you continue.

To skip disk check press any key within __ seconds.


If I do nothing, the count down locks up at 1 second and the message stays and nothing seems to happen. I have left the computed for up to 20 minutes with no change.

I power off (which requires pressing the power button several times) and then power up without running disk check and all seems well and I have no problems run or accessing software.

Can someone help me with this booting problem.

PS i am a beginner.

 

thanks TonyT. I have rebooted several times and everything seems fine. before we close this thread can you explain what the problem was? What the heck is NTFS and why did i need to run disk check?

can i expect to see this problem again?

thanks again.