Computer is in a checking-file-system loop and I cannot get out

Using XP.

My computer (not this one) is caught in a loop and I cannot get out.

On startup, it started Checking File System on C, though I do not recall having asked it to do that. I tried ctrl-alt-delete and got no response. I shut it off and on re-boot, it started checking file system on C and Checkdisk. I let it run until it said 100 percent complete, but there no change to the image on my monitor. I shut it off and re-booted. Again, it started Checking File system on C and Checkdisk.

Whatever it is doing, I do not want it to do that.

How do I get out of his loop?

Run the disk diagnostic for your brand of disk drive (if you don't know what make it is run Seatools). Download UBCD and burn it to CD, it has all the disk testing utilities on it plus many more useful tools besides, then just boot with the disc in the drive and select the utility that you want.

Ultimate Boot CD

Shut it down and rebooted. Now, I am getting the following error message:

File or directory C:\$Secure is corrupt and unreadable. Please run chkdsk utility.

When I google that error message, I read: reformat.

Are these folks really serious when they suggest reformatting my hard drive?

Cannot Delete or Repair Corrupted File on NTFS Volume
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;246026

Run the hdd diags like SS brought out.
That hdd could well be on its way out.