Vista - CD-RW locks up Windows Explorer or other applications

Hello.

I am running Windows Vista Home Premium on my Dell laptop.
I am having problems in Windows Explorer with CD-RWs.
I am able drag and drop files to CD-RWs. I use this for backup purposes.
I have two CD-RWs that I use for archiving files.

My problem is that Windows Explorer does not seem to recognize a CD and
locks up any application that trys to access the CD.

Here is an example:
I had a couple of large files to backup.

I inserted the first CD and opened Windows Explorer.
The name of the CD appeared under the "Computer" branch next to the
"DVD/CD-RW (E" branch.
I dragged the files to the CD and they were copied.

I ejected the first CD and inserted the second CD.
The name of the CD appeared under the "Computer" branch next to the
"DVD/CD-RW (E" branch.
I dragged the files to the CD and they were copied.

I needed to copy a file from the first CD to the second CD.
So, I ejected the second CD and inserted the first one again.
The name on the first CD didn't appear in the "Computer" branch next to the
"DVD/CD-RW (E" branch. And, the path/progress bar on the top of the window
starts to fill very slowly wth green, but nothing happens when it finally
reaches the end on the right.

If I try to use an application like Notepad to try to retreive a file from
this disk, the application locks up in the File/Open window. And, Task Manger
(Ctrl+Alt+Delete) is not able to end the application from running. So, my
only recourse at this point is to reboot.

I try to patient and wait for my computer to load the CDs. I don't try to
open them as soon as I close the CD drive door.

This only seems to happen when I flip (insert/eject/insert/eject...etc) the
CDs a few times.

I do like being able to backup with CD-RWs. It is an inexpensive way to
backup my files. I don't have a huge number of files to backup, but sometimes
they can get large. CD-RWs are perfect for this.

Can anyone help with this?

Sincerely,
K_Drive