Multisession CD-R read error...pls help

[h2sammo]

Here is what I did.

I put all my documents (my last 4 years of papers and labs in college) on a CD-R (Memorex 700 MB) using Nero as my writing softaware. This all took about 500 MB of my CD.

Some time later, I added about 5 MB of files onto that same CD.

Now, every time I put that CD-R in, only the second session shows. I cannot open the previous session, with all my documents in it (and I need them....). However, Nero has this option where I can view information about the media. I did that, and it lists both sessions. Nero sees the first session on my CD, but I cannot open it and copy my documents back onto my hard drive.
Is there any way that I can open those files and copy them?

By the, way, I have Win XP Pro installed.
Thank you very much for the help. This is really a pressing matter for me, any and all help will be very appreciated.

 

[MrPhelps]

You don't want to close the cd if you want to add to it just close the session. Try one for a experiment, Its worth not lossing all of your data.

 

[Mark R]

Copy the stuff off the CD onto your HD.

Opto 'continue a multisession disc' on the CD. But, when nero asks which session you want to extend, select the first one.

The directory window should then show all the files in the first session - add files as necessary and then burn the new session.

Before you try it for real, have a practice with a blank disc (if you use a CD-RW, you have to do a FULL erase after trying this, a quick erase won't erase a multisession disc).