1gb USB stick problems

Running Win 7 fully updated, Z/Alarm Extreme Security and Malwarebytes. 1gb USB flash stick.

I have been trying various rippers including Window Media Player etc with the same results.

I cannot get the Laptop to see the files/tracks within the folders of 5 music CD's.

The latest method I've tried is ripping the 5 CD's to a folder on the Hdd. This is ok, no problems with 381mb of space taken shown by properties.

Now if I copy these folders and files/tracks and paste to the stick, this also shows the 5 CD's with also 381mb space taken on the stick. All folders and files/tracks are shown and working.

But if I remove the stick by 'safely remove Hardware and eject Media' and re-plug back in 2/3 mins later. 3 or more of the folders are shown as 'empty', yet the same amount of 381mb space is still taken. If I copy and paste the missing files/tracks again into the CD folders on the stick.

The folders are still shown as empty, but the amount of space taken on the stick has almost doubled.

Incidentally if I rip directly to the stick, I still get the same results.

Whats going on..

thanks