Burn at it's full speed-
-Media has to be compatible, some brands of blanks just don't cut it. Which brands work best with a given drive is trial and error or with luck CDfreaks may have it posted.
-You have to run a test of the burner with your system so the burner knows what the system limits are. If it's a slow computer, or burdened with a lot of backgrond crap, the burner may not offer you it's max speed.
Drive not recognized by programs
-What programs? Office ,burner app's etc.?
--Burner programs need to have a profile for the particular burner to support it. Check for updates. Some burner programs that come with drives will not see or work with other model/brand drives.
--Media players may have an issue with codecs, unlikely though. Also if the player came with a certain drive it may not recognize other brands/models.
--General office type programs should recognize any drive thats ADAPI. Check if your new drive requires special software or drivers be installed.