I've managed to scratch one of the TFTs on my desk while moving it. After my coworkers managed to scrape me off the ceiling, I had a close look at it. It appears to be proper gouge as opposed to a light scratch. It's a Dell E series panel with a matte finish, I wondered whether the outer panel can actually be removed and replaced or wether I'm now stuck with it. Any ideas on what to do?

If you turn it on and set the screen to black (set the destop background to black or something like that) do you see the scratch light up white?

If so, you've managed to go through the polariser to the screen. There isn't much you can do in any case, as the polariser and matte finish layer are bonded to the front of the panel. It's possible to remove them by correctly applying a solvent (usually water!) and waiting, but I doubt there's any real way of replacing it. If it's an expensive monitor it might be worth getting a new panel for it, if not it's an insurance job I'm afraid.

Pca

Duct tape?

I'd be willing to bet that the value of the time, effort, and cost of replacement parts would exceed $150.

Yes, I could buy a whole new one for approx. £180 but the thing that really pisses me off is that I've only had it three months. I'll just have to think of an excuse to palm it off on someone and buy a new one for myself.

Rats!! I've just replaced A US one of mine, and no-one's less picky than me: I'd probably get worried if I didn't have a scratch across the screen!