They two codes serve two different purposes, and are supposed to be different.
The Product *ID* is created during the installation process and is prominently
displayed on the General Properties tab of the My Computer icon. It is used to
obtain/qualify for technical support (limited though that may be) from Microsoft.
The Product *Key* is used to "prove" ownership of a legitimate license and is
required to perform the installation, and is either stored on the CD packaging on a
bright orange sticker that says "Do not lose this number," or is on a label affixed
to an OEM computer.
Provided you manage to obtain a generic, unbranded OEM installation CD, yes. Your
Dell's OEM Product Key will work only with the Dell Recovery CD meant for that
specific model, or a generic OEM CD. It won't work with a retail CD or another
manufacturer's Recovery CD.
However, getting a legitimate license or installation CD of any kind from eBay is
something of a crap shoot. One should be very careful buying any software on
eBay, as eBay makes no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate. eBay
reacts only when someone files a complaint, and then all that really happens,
especially in the case of the many deliberate fraudsters, is the seller of the
pirated software returns using a different alias, to continue selling illegitimate
licenses.
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve
neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great
many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot