Help! My externals won't mount!

HELP!
Neither of my external hard drives, both AC powered, suddenly won't mount. I've swapped all the cables and ports but no joy - it can only be the mac. Any idea?! Maybe I haven't mounted them since the last software/ security update, I can't remember...
They don't show up in disk utility, so I can't do it that way either.
I feel like everything is breaking down one by one and it always seems to be the result of an update.

You don't say how the HDs are connected - USB or Firewire? If USB, will your mouse work in the USB port(s)?
Look at these links.
USB and FireWire Quick Assist
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1151?viewlocale=en_US
What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire device
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88338
Dealing with FireWire problems (drives not mounting, devices unrecognized, etc.)
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20041221081432908
Common fixes for USB device issues (unrecognized, etc.)
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20070824012114701
 Cheers, Tom

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