Missing NTFS (File System)

A freind is having problems with her external hard drive. When I connect it, it appears the file system is missing.

Computer Management states the drive is healthy but doesn't list it having NTFS (or any other file format) like the other drives.

Other than a complete re-format, is there any way to add the file system or recover the data on the hard drive.

As always I'd like to do this as inexpensively as possible.

Thanks for the help,

Jackson

 

Jackson;

it is a bit on the costly side, but find a good computer outlet or on line store where u can purchase a recovery software program, (stompXsoft) makes a ok program and it works ok; just takes some time and if u do want to try a recovery it is best to have a second hard drive or storage drive to recover the files too, and if the bad drive has a lot of info stored on it the drive u recover to needs to be as big or bigger in storage size.
u know hard to put 5 items in a 3 item box, but 5 items fits in 10 item box with room left over.

good luck
asturnacle