Kernel hangs/freezes during boot because of module 8139too (affected hardware: philips freevents x52, x53, x55, x56, twinhead y12h)

Ubuntu live cd (tested 6.06 LTS and 7.10 from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/) fails to boot because 8139too module hangs with following hardware (laptops):
Philips Freevents x52
Philips Freevents x53
Philips Freevents x54 (probably, not sure if this model does exist)
Philips Freevents x55
Philips Freevents x56
Twinhead Y12H (should be identical to x55 above except for branding)

The above laptops differ only in CPU (Core duo or Core 2 duo plus changes in maximum clock) and in the size of the fixed disk (60 - 120 GB).

The problem can be solved by compiling a custom kernel with following changes to .config:
CONFIG_8139TOO=m
CONFIG_8139TOO_PIO=y
CONFIG_8139TOO_TUNE_TWISTER=y
CONFIG_8139TOO_8129=y
CONFIG_8139_OLD_RX_RESET=y

I'm not sure if all these are required but at least PIO and OLD_RX_RESET are required for this computer.

However, this (compiling the new kernel) cannot be done on the laptop - at least using Ubuntu - because the Ubuntu stock kernel does not seem to support disablemodules kernel option that would be needed to start the system.

At least the sdhci module from vanilla kernel 2.6.20 used to hang this system too, but obviously I cannot test if the latest Ubuntu kernel has the same problem until the network adapter problem is solved first.

I'll attach more information about the system as an attachment soon.

Some relevant locations:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-source-2.6.20/+bug/87932
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-source-2.6.15/+bug/48305
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-source-2.6.15/+bug/48456
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=292408&highlight=Philips+x56
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=287939&highlight=Philips+x56