HP Compaq 6735b BIOS update fails

[AllanMN]

I'm trying to get a bit more use by updating this old laptop. 

Update the F.0B BIOS to https://support.hp.com/my-en/drivers/hp-compaq-6735b-notebook-pc/3687779 F.16 with hopefully updated UEFI boot. 

No OS installed since the Linux Mint install doesn't like legacy boot too much.

Tried installing the BIOS from QFLASH on a Windows recovery USB: QFLASH can't run with this windows version error.

Tried 3rd option in the link above to create a bootable USB with the BIOS but "The USB is write protected." message can't be bypassed. Formatting, diskpart (read-only attribute is OFF), regedit hacks, doesn't fix.

Does anyone have a suggestion or procedure to update w/o the original Windows?  I don't see any option in the current BIOS to flash from USB.

[AllanMN]

I think the answer is... buried in the .cab or some files in the HP site download is the BIOS code in a .bin file I think. Then, the answer is, how to get the .bin file out and what compatible program to use to flash it to the BIOS since HP is providing, idk, vintage VISTA only code to do it.