My curve's been through the ringer, but I'm very experienced in taking it apart, cleaning the circuits and putting it back together. It's always worked after I've done this, but this time I'm afraid there was something wrong with it that I can't fix.

That said, I took the back piece off and suddenly I see this little orange square (somewhat translucent) on the table and I have no idea where it came from. In some pictures I've seen online, it looks like there's something orange over the metal part that's the usb jack. I've also wondered if it's under the trackball and maybe I didn't notice it before. If anyone has any idea what I'm talking about, PLEASE help.

I have seen photos of something like this under the trackball.

I think that orange piece is a piece of tape, as I have seen all kinds of "orange tape" inside laptops and netbooks that I work on frequently... they cover certain parts with take inside compact electronics to prevent them from shorting out against other things inside. - and it seems like this particular tape is almost allways orange. (maybe there are special sheilding p;roperties in the color? ) so if the tape was covering the USB plug it would be to prevent that big metal shield from grounding out neighboring components..

I think this might be the most likely because although I've seen pictures and heard of something under a trackball, I just don't remember it from the many times I've opened it up (and replaced that damn trackball!!). I could put it under the trackball and it would stay, but if I put it over that part of the usb plug, it just slides out. Do you know if there are glues that are safe for small electronics like this? Also, do you think it falling out might indicate that there was already a short?