cpg and php upgrade with existing bridge

[tom123]

I want to make sure I don't loose any information (i.e. users, photos) in updating. I am currently running phpbb 2.0.19 and wanting to upgrade to 2.0.20.0 as well as upgrading to the latest categories
hierarchy mod. I'm wondering how I go about updating the phpbb board as well as the gallery to version 1.4.5 while keeping my current pictures and users. The bridging instructions for cpg clearly state that

5.2.3 Coppermine users, groups and pics uploaded by users are lost when integrating--Warning: If you already have users and custom groups in your coppermine database when you enable bbs integration, be awarethat they will be lost. If your coppermine users have already created private albums and uploaded pics to them, they will be lost as well!

How do I safely upgrade phpbb  and cpg with the bridge while retaining my current users and gallery? Do I update phpbb first? Do I keep the bridge active or do I deactivate? (I'm assuming deactivating and
reactivating would erase all my photos and users as per the warning)

I've looked through the forum and faq and have not found the answer as it pertains to a combination of both phpbb and the cpg with upgrades to both.

[Nibbler]

What version of Coppermine are you updating from ?

[tom123]

I'm updating cpg from version 1.4.4. Pardon if I can't post regularly as I'm still having trouble posting to the boards.

[Nibbler]

Update Coppermine and phpbb as you would normally.

[tom123]

Would I just leave the bridge operational? After that just make backups to both phpbb and the gallery, perform the updates and upload the backups?
I was actually looking at using the installed version upgrade of the latest phpbb with the CH mod already installed. I'm not sure how this would affect or change the upgrade procedure while bridged with cpg.

[Nibbler]

It would have no effect atall, just follow the normal instructions.