I have a box of usb thumb drives as a project basket. Two are the same model, one works one doesn’t. Visual inspection shows one is missing a component.
What’s that missing “J” doohickey?

 

perhaps obvious, but just to be clear, the first photo with the component marked “J” is the one that works. The second attached photo seems to have had that component knocked off, and it doesn’t work.

 

"J" usually means a Jumper.

 

Maybe I could slap a little solder on there and see what happens?

 

A blobby solder bridge did the trick and it works. But, it’s super sketchy and won’t survive being put back in the package. My skills/tools (mostly the former) aren’t up to the task of working on something so tiny!

But still, I’m kinda proud I got it all. Thanks for the nudge!