Not sure if this is the right place to put it, but feel free to move it.

I have a used 2001 Honda Civic thats two door (and that's all the details I know about it). It is used and the pervious owner had replaced the driver side door because he was in an accident. I decided to take the handle out so I could take it to a locksmith and have it replaced, but I am having trouble taking it out. I took the big black plastic covering out, and underneath it is the white covering. I cut that open a little bit and there were two rods attached to the door handle. I got them off, and took a few other pieces off and got stuck. I emailed some guy and he told me that to take it off, I needed to take the ring off that was under the key hole. I'm not sure if he is right though because I see the ring and it is next to impossible to take off. Im using a flat head screwdriver and a hammer just to see if I could get it out, but it isn't coming. He could be right, but I have absolutley no clue and I've been googling it but I am not coming up with anything. Thankkkk youuuu