If you disable the automatic restart, you may well get a BSOD that you can read. You will then need to manually reboot. Instuctions below.
1. Click on the Start button and then on Control Panel.
2. Click on the System and Security link.
Note: If you're viewing the Small icons or Large icons view of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Simply double-click on the System icon and proceed to Step 4.
3. Click on the System link.
4. In the task pane on the left, click the Advanced system settings link.
5. Locate the Startup and Recovery section near the bottom of the window and click on the Settings button.
6. In the Startup and Recovery window, locate and uncheck the check box next to Automatically restart.
7. Click OK in the Startup and Recovery window.
8. Click OK in the System Properties window.
9. You can now close the System window.
10. From now on, when a problem causes a BSOD or another major error that halts the system, Windows 7 will not force a reboot. You'll have to reboot manually when an error appears.
It won't cure it, but may give some clues. RE your OP, the increase in fan speed and volume sounds like something munching your memory/CPU. Say, a backup routine or virus scan running in the background... or even a search index for Windows. Possibly.