Ah, I see. Since you don't have a triple, your problem is chain alignment, which can be quite a bit off even on brand new stock-equipped bikes. I had this problem on one of my bikes until I got a new bottom bracket and the bike shop owner who installed it adjusted the chainline with a special guage. With a double crank and a 9-speed cogset, the center cog should be perfectly straight behind the MIDLINE between the two chainwheels. You may have to find a specialty high-end bike shop to do the adjustment, which will probably requires some shims. Once the chain alignment is set up properly you should be able to use all but your smallest cog with your small ring, although in a few cases, if you have unusually short chainstays, you MIGHT not be able to use the second-smallest cog. You definitely will be able to use the third-smallest cog when your bike is set up properly.