i think i know the compression ring hes talking about.

heres what ya have to do: unbolt top cap, loosen stem and remove. from what youve said i suspect your at this stage already. now to loosen the compression ring, all you have to do is give the top of the steerer a good wack with a mallet(or a block of wood and a hammer) and it should drive the fork down a bit. that should enable you to loosen the compression ring, and take the stack off.....thereby allowing you to slide the fork out