Computer Help Please!!!!!!!?

Here we go I have been ripping dvd's to my external using my laptop. This morning I got up and my computer was configuring updates so I let it be I got home from work and realized my comp. had restarted so I went into my external to get the program that I have been using to rip and realized that the folder had been deleted along with my picture folder (had every picture taken for last three years) and my kids movies folders. then I realized that some of the files that I have recently ripped are saying they are corrupt and unreadable. Now I havn't done anything to this so I need to know is there a way to retrieve my folders and how do I make my movies work again. Please help