There is more static about when the air is dry - winter is worse.
If the computer powers off and on as you reach towards it it might be a static discharge causing it - you do not have to feel the shock.
If it misbehaves without being touched then the fault will not be caused by static.
A static discharge to electronic equipment can cause a failure but it's usually catastrophic - i.e. it permanently wrecks a junction inside a sensitive chip due to a very high voltage - there is usually not enough power in a static discharge to make something switch.
If you think it is a static problem then lightly dampen the carpet around the computer and touch a radiator before touching the machine.
Peccavi, January 2009
