!!HELP!! Hp cd-writer/dvd combo 9900j

[C0BRA99]

I cant get this drive to work with software other than the lame software hp provided. Nero, adaptec easy cd creator, mp3 cd maker, all dont work. Nero and ez cd creator freeze when you open them. Mp3 cd maker just keeps saying initializing whenever you hit record/record.
all 3 of these software say it supports the 9900j
but the drive works fine with the hp software?
any ideas why this is during this? any solutions? anybody have same problem?
is it defective? should I return the drive?