External HDs not showing on Desktop

Hi all,
I use a Macbook Pro to which I have 4 Firewired external hard drives daisy-chained.  I've been using this config quite flawlessly for a long time.  Upon booting up a couple of days ago, 2 of the HDs come up on the Desktop, and open fine.  The other 2 do not.  I know the Macbook is seeing the HDs, because I am able to mount and dismount them using Disk Utility, and have been able to check them for problems (none), also with Disk Utility.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Darrell Adams

It sounds like the volumes have the invisibility flag set. Launch the Terminal application and copy or drag -- don't type -- the line below into the window:
sudo chflags nohidden /Volumes/*
Press return. You'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you enter it. You may get a one-time warning not to screw up. Confirm. You can then quit Terminal.
Then, from the menu bar, select (Apple menu) > "Force Quit..." In the window that opens, select Finder and click Relaunch.

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