Intel Somethingorwhat?

Hi. I don't even know if this is a software problem or not. But I think it might be related to the VLC player I downloaded the other day. I'm not very smart with computers, so hopefully someone can help me out...? Today I left my computer on and it was fine. Then I came back, after it had been in stand-by for a while. The display settings of my desktop looked like the low-resolution, fuzzy display settings of a desktop working in safe-mode. It looked exactly as it does when in safe mode, but operated pretty well like in normal mode (I had internet access, etc), save for the fact that some of the screen on the scroll-bar side was cut-off. A dialog box popped up and said there is a problem with the display driver and suggested I reboot, after which windows would send an error report to windows support. I did. When it started back up, a box appeared saying "Windows have recovered from a serious error" and prompted me to send an error report. The error report page that came up after I'd sent the report said the problem was caused by an Intel Graphics somethingorother and that the only thing I could do about it is download the latest Intel somethingorother, since Intel had no idea what the problem was. I don't even remember installing or otherwise coming across an Intel Graphics anything, but when I opened up the control panel there was an unfamiliar Intel icon. I went to add/remove programs and took everything Intel off my computer thinking I'd downloaded a virus. I rebooted. After the reboot, an InstallWizard said it was searching for the appropriate hardware to match the software (what software?). I clicked 'next', it searched, found nothing matching, and disappeared. The computer's display settings were looking safe-mode-ish again. I went to 'display' and then 'settings' and upped the screen resolution to the normalish level it's at now. I haven't uninstalled VLC, which seems working fine...right now. Everything seems to be working fine right now, just as it did ten minutes before the computer switched to safe-mode style the first time...so I'm weary. I've rebooted again and everything seems in working order. Again, I apologize for being absolutely illiterate computer-wise and a novice in the neccessary jargon. Would anyone be able to tell me what the hell happened to my computer all of the sudden based on my shotty description? Has the trouble subsided or is it just dormant for the moment? Is this a software issue that requires some fiddling with software, or is it cleverly disguised malware, or just general computer buggery and no cause for alarm?
I'm kind of a hypochondriac so, really, I'm just looking for someone to put my mind at ease or to tell me what I could do about squashing the problem and preventing other similar ones.
Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

 

Computer display

Hi! Thanks for the reply!
I ran anti-virus software, everything seems about normal. The display seems pretty well in-line with the pre-incident level...resolution is clear, no margins cut-off. So far as I can tell, it's as good as it was before, even after deleting the Intel programs.

I could still post my 'specs' if you think the problem might persist in some way, shape or form in the future. But you'll have to tell me what 'specs' are and how I could access that information. Sorry...I'm not really adept...

The computer is definately not a home or custom build, I can assure you that.

Thanks for your help, let me know if there is anything more I can tell you.
Thanks again.