Unrcognizable external usb drive and hidden folders and files

Hello,

I have big problem concerning my files which I saved in my external drive. I'm using Windows 8.1 and my external drive is WD Element. I dont know what kind of bug went into the system.

I discovered one file folder empty of pix and videos. I did not check for presence of data for that particular folder and I immediately jumped into checking other folders. Another folder contains pix but can not be opened.

I tried copying all other files to a different external drive to save it from further damage but to my surprise, all folders were copied but the contents for each were not. I tried downloading free usb file recovery and ran it but it worsen by making the drive unrecognizable by the computer. On checking the USB signal port, it is being detected on insertion but can not be recognized by the pc (no drive appeared for the usb). I tried some of the suggestions in this forum using the attrib -r -a -s -h /s /d making use of drive E since it is the most likely drive but it said " attrib is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file".

I tried using drive F using the usb, it said " the system can not find the drive specified".

Kindly help me on this...

Thanx so much...