Macbook air RAM is down. How to recover HD data ?

Hello everyone,

Could anyone guide me on how to recover the data i have on my HD ?
I have a Macbook air 2009 model.
Macbook Air screen went crazy yesterday (lots of vertical lines, pixels and color and freeze).
I turned the computer down and it won't restart (just a series of long beeps..).
Brought it to apple store this morning, and they said it is the RAM. It needs to be changed.

The cost of changing the RAM is too expensive (280 use) in my view.
I would like first recover the data/files/photos from the HD. How can i do ?
Could anyone provide me with some basic step by step info on how to proceed or a link to explanations ?

Many thanks !!

You should be able to take the bottom off of the computer and change the ram yourself. And then you could also take out the hard drive while you were there.
this is how to take the hard drive out. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Hard Drive Replacement - iFixit

Thank you Rabbitjetta. Apparently on this model, replacing the RAM means replacing the whole motherboard. I am not too confident i can do this.
But, taking out the hard drive seems pretty easy. Then if i am successful at doing this, after that how can i access its content ?

You can use a SATA to USB cable to access the files on another mac,Amazon.com: Patuoxun USB 2.0 to Sata Converter Adapter Cable w/ 2.5" 2.5 Inch Hard Drive HDD Case: Computers & Accessories

rabbitjetta said:

You can use a SATA to USB cable to access the files on another mac,Amazon.com: Patuoxun USB 2.0 to Sata Converter Adapter Cable w/ 2.5" 2.5 Inch Hard Drive HDD Case: Computers & Accessories

Click to expand...

Thank you again ! And would there be a way to access the HD content without taking it out of the machine ?

If the machine isn't booting up, then no you can't get access to the HD. The other option is Target Disk Mode, see if you can at least attempt that. If so, if you have another Mac then you access the data on the MBA..

Hi Ashwin,
Unfortunately the 2008-2009 models do not come with the T mode. :-(

Ahh, in that case your only option is to take the MBA apart from the iFixit link provided already and take the HDD out..

Your MacBook Air uses a SATA 1.8" 4200rpm hard drive. They do not use an interface common to 2.5" drives, it takes a flat flex cable. You would need to source a suitable adapter or transfer the HD to another compatible MBA.

rabbitjetta said:

You should be able to take the bottom off of the computer and change the ram yourself. And then you could also take out the hard drive while you were there.
this is how to take the hard drive out. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Hard Drive Replacement - iFixit

Click to expand...

Not to be mean, do you know the Macbook Air? ALL RAM is soldered in.
If the RAM dies you need a new board.