thanks for the help guys
i found a program that does what i need (freeware)
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/File-CD-DVD-Catalog/Visual-CD.shtml
Visual CD description
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Visual CD is a disk cataloging tool to index data floppy disks, hard drives, CDs, and folders.
Once indexed, you can explore the CD catalogs, search files and folders without having the physical disk in the drive.
A built-in favorites manager allows you to easily manage multiple catalogs, and a powerful search feature lets you search across multiple catalogs.
The program comes with several additional options, you can split files into smaller pieces, extract ZIP, RAR and CAB archives, rename files, copy the entire CD to a new location and more.
Visual CD provides a clean and attractive interface and optional Explorer integration from the right click menu.
Here are some key features of "Visual CD":
· Fast recording, loading and searching
· Very small catalog file
· Tight integration with Windows Explorer
· Ability to save directory structure to Text Document
· Ability to export catalog to HTML Document, Microsoft Excel File, Rich Text Format and Text Document
· Moving, copying, renaming, and deleting catalog without leaving Visual CD
· Support Windows XP Visual Style
· Support ZIP, RAR and CAB archive format
· Support MP3 ID3v1 and ID3v2 Tag
· Advanced Search
· Favorites Manager
· MP3 Playlist Generator
· Advanced Rename
· Duplicated Files Finder
· File Splitter
· NFO Reader
· Thumbnail Maker
What's New in This Release:
· > New Catalog Format (VCAT3)
· + Thumbnails (images, icons, and executables)
· + Catalog password protection
· + Auto index upon insertion of disc
· + Volume Label (editable)
· + Configuration dialog
· + Favorites : Volume and Description field
· ^ Options menu
· ^ Toolbar assignment
· ~ Editing comment in Add Comment function
· ~ Save Find In options on Find tab
· ! Fixed : Command-line issue
· ! Fixed : minor bugs