external hard drive not showing contents

Hi, I have a USB3 1TB WD Elements external hard drive which has stopped responding.
I was using it with the laptop sorting out files I'd backed up ready to put back onto my laptop after a 'return to factory settings'. It worked no problem.

Then I attached it to my TV to watch some stored films from it. At first the logo's showed and it tried to play some then just became unresponsive and was not even recognised as being attached to the TV. The light came on the hard drive as if it was working. We are travelling in a motorhome, and during this time the 12 volt power consumption acted as if a film was playing. There was ample power available.

When I attached it back onto my laptop it made the usual noise indicating that a USB device had been attached and the lights came on the hard drive, but it does not show up in Windows Explorer.
The first few times I got the green usb logo bottom right task bar, and it showed there as being attached when I click to remove a device. Now it does not seem to get the green usb logo even.

It makes the usual sounds when attached and detached.

I have tried 2 different laptops with same results.

I know there were some files on the hard drive when I got it. One was for a software trial and a couple of others. If I have deleted these accidentally, could that have caused the problem?

All my back up stuff is on there, so please can anyone help?

Thanks, Jan

 

Hi, just some extra information in case it helps.

I have tried using it on my Asus Eee Shell series 1001PX notebook and my Acer Aspire 5542g laptop.

I have looked in Device Manager where it shows up and says it is working properly. Under volumes there is no information given against all the titles disc; type; status etc.

Hope this helps

Jan