How to update Bios without Windows?

I am considering updating the BIOS on my laptop. This is something I am very leery of doing because I don't want to brick my new box.

1) How does one update the BIOS when running in a purely linux environment? In my case Hardy Heron. I see in the repositories a program called flashrom. Does it work and is it safe.

2) If I do indeed update my BIOS in the event of trouble is there a way I can roll back to the BIOS that is installed now?

Is there a tutorial/Faq someplace on Ubuntu re: this? I can't find anything generic just lots of info specific to the Dell machines.

Thanks

SMBIOS 2.3 present.
45 structures occupying 1418 bytes.
Table at 0x000EB160.

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 20 bytes
BIOS Information
 Vendor: TOSHIBA
 Version: Version 1.30
 Release Date: 01/17/2006
 Address: 0xEB000
 Runtime Size: 84 kB
 ROM Size: 1024 kB
 Characteristics:
  ISA is supported
  PCI is supported
  PC Card (PCMCIA) is supported
  PNP is supported
  APM is supported
  BIOS is upgradeable
  BIOS shadowing is allowed
  Boot from CD is supported
  BIOS ROM is socketed
  EDD is supported
  Japanese floppy for NEC 9800 1.2 MB is supported (int 13h)
  3.5"/720 KB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
  3.5"/2.88 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
  Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
  8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
  Serial services are supported (int 14h)
  Printer services are supported (int 17h)
  CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
  ACPI is supported
  USB legacy is supported
  LS-120 boot is supported
  ATAPI Zip drive boot is supported
  Smart battery is supported
  Function key-initiated network boot is supported

Handle 0x0001, DMI type 1, 25 bytes
System Information
 Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
 Product Name: dynabook TX/760LS
 Version: PATX760LS
 Serial Number: Z5107442Q
 UUID: 6786B0A0-7263-11DA-A70E-00A0D12C05CE
 Wake-up Type: Power Switch