Problem scenario
You cannot update BIOS on an HP ProBook (a laptop) computer. You tried following two different update instructions, but they both failed. You tried using HPBIOSUPDREC (by double-clicking the download file) and "following the on-screen instructions." This resulted in an automatic boot to BIOS just to see an error that says "Unable to open BIOS image file." You tried installing the HP System Software Manager (SSM). But this did not update the BIOS either. What do you do?
Solution
1. Find HPBIOSUPDREC.exe. If you do not know how to find this file, use these instructions.
2. Double click HPBIOSUPDREC.exe. Follow the on-screen steps. It is advisable to make a backup to a flash drive. When you reboot during the instructions, manually enter the BIOS. Press F10 at the HP splash screen to manually enter BIOS. Enter BIOS as a guest. When given the option, choose the left-most button "Apply BIOS Update." Ignore the options for "Postpone" or "Cancel" The next prompt should be self-explanatory.