you could stop wondering and start knowing if you look at the diagnostic bits I listed above.
we have a machine at my work with a similar random problem. we just leave it on all the time. try powering off the control but leave the main power switch on.
if that fixes the problem then you might have a heat or cold-related issue. it definitely sounds like a cable or bad connection on a cable connector.
backing up parameters has been detailed here on this forum many times. do a search and some reading......