[danevaz]

Thanks for all the replies.

Of course I made an image backup when I started having issues.

The drive is a CRUCIAL CT480M50 mSATA (on the motherboard) SSD. I don't think they sell them anymore and couldn't find any firmware updates.

The 80% usage is in reference to some pundits saying you should never have an SSD drive more that 80% full. I'm at 60%.

There are a lot of variables at play here - but the heat in the room seems to be the constant factor.

I guess the real question is - replace the SSD with a SAMSUNG 850/860 mSata, load WN10 PRO, reload all my software, and see if I can get another two years year out of it,
or
just go for a new DELL XPS 15 laptop with WIN 10 PRO and Thunderbolt 3, USB-C ports.

I'll figure it out.

Thanks again.

Danny