I've booted both installer CD's and HD's from Firewire on an identical slot-loading iMac 400 DV. Perhaps you were using the wrong method or an older version of Startup Disk?
The correct method to boot via Firewire is to mount the installer CD or HD and then while mounted hit Restart and then hold the "Option" keyboard key until you see the selection of bootable devices. Highlight the Firewire device, and then hit the -> icon to boot the Firewire device. If the device doesn't show, zap the PRAM per instructions below.
The 9.2.2 update also had a newer version of Startup Disk application (v.2.6.3) and there is even a newer version (2.6.5) available here:
http://www.os9forever.com/Differences.html
Startup Disk probably should have allowed selection of the Firewire device, although Startup Disk seems somewhat flakey and often completely misses some bootable devices. I don't know what would produce such a prompted warning unless your firmware update didn't work correctly, so you might first update to 9.2.2 and then run Apple System Profiler to see for 100% certain that the iMac firmware is version 4.1.9.
I guarantee 4.1.9 will boot via Firewire, if not zap the PRAM after a full Shutdown (cold PRAM zaps clear the NVRAM also in addition to the PRAM; warm (Restart rather than Shutdown) zaps clear the PRAM only, leaving the NVRAM untouched, you want the NVRAM also cleared).
I'm not sure about network installations, but if you're running 10.3 already you can simply insert the Install CD and run YOUR installer without being booted from the installer CD. Bypass the auto-opening window whose "install now" icon will force a reboot to the CD, and rather click your HD and then highlight the CD and go to the System>Installation>Packages folder and double-click the OSInstall.mpkg. Your own 10.3 Installer.app should take over. If the HD of the iMac is mounted via a network I believe it should be selectable as the target for the installer. I think the Firewire method is probably simpler.
Good luck! Kris
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