Onkyo 605 Intermittent Protection Mode

Ok so Ive had this problem with my 605 twice now. First time it tripped protection mode I simply switched inputs and it was fine. Second time the problem seemed more serious, switching inputs didn't work, I thought it was a goner. Its now been sitting for about a week and I just plugged it in again to see if it would work and it stayed on longer but tripped again. I turned it on again and switched the inputs a few times and it seems to be staying on now. So this problem seems to be intermittent. Any of you ever have a similar problem? Do you guys have any idea what could be causing this? Would using a different input help?
My problem is twofold, First off the warranty is up, went up the beginning of the year this thing is only about 2 and a half years old.
Secondly the nearest authorized place to have it looked at if 4 hours away, so I have to either drive it there or mail it and have it fixed all on my own dime. The money isn't the biggest issue, getting it there is.

I did and there were loose speaker cables, but I'm not sure if they pulled out when I pulled to receiver out to look at it or if they did it on their own. I just ordered some banana connectors for the speaker wires to take care of any problems in that department. I'm really hoping this was the problem. Here's the thing though, I unhooked everything from the receiver and it continued to go into protection mode, Could this still be the cables?

so what just pull it out, turn it on and let it run for a while? I can do that.

funny thing is both times it tripped protection mode it was when I turned it on. I has never tripped protection while it was running.