Hello gents, thanks for your time!

I got to a support page for Intel, checked out "OS independent" BIOS
files (at http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=8736&ProdId=1086&lang=eng)

File name: RC86510A.86A.0044.P18.IB.exe
Version: P18 Date: 05/05/2005 Status: Latest Size: 0.83 MB
Operating Systems: OS Independent, Windows 2000*, Windows 98 SE*,
Windows Me*, Windows XP Home Edition*, Windows XP Professional*

Details:
Iflash BIOS Update [RC86510A.86A.0044.P18.IB.exe] - A DOS-based
utility to update the BIOS regardless of operating system. It requires
a blank floppy diskette.

Problem: it's all ".exe".

Any suggestions?

Yes. Re-visit that page [1] and use this download: File name: P18-0044.BIO
The file size, however, is 652.776 bytes and as such won't work with flashrom.

[1] http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=8736&ProdId=1086&lang=eng