Then surely you can program all 8051 compatible 40 pin DIP package parts. include intel 8051. Let me know what part exactly are you using is it Intel 8051. or some other number such as AT89C55 or some thing else
From day one the one difference there has been between derivatives and even the same part number by diffrent manufacturers is the programming algorithm.

If your programmers device list does not have the exact part you are using you can not program it.

One exception: sometimes you can program a derivative by choosing another from the same manufacturer

Erik