You're a goddamn genius that's what you are. That php.ini thingy did the trick.
thanks!
but... does this mean io is not compatible with versions of php newer than 4.x, and that in order to use ftp functions in php I have to use the crappy IIS ftpd??
[R] site version
[R] 200-Running ioFTPD version 5-8-6r
[R] 200 Command successful.