Flash javascript problems

Question

I am attempting to get Flash - Javascript communication working using ExternalInterface.addCallback, using code found at http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/156/tn_15683.html. I am trying to pass parameters into Flash using a javascript function, but it only works if I insert a 'window.alert' line into the code. Once I click OK, the parameter str is passed into Flash ok. The function is:
               function sendToFlash(str) {
        if (str=="tools"){
            window.alert(str);   
        getFlashMovie("richFunctionality_corp").sendTextToFlash(str);
        if (str=="components"){
            window.alert(str);
        getFlashMovie("richFunctionality_corp").sendTextToFlash(str);
If I remove the window.alert, str isn't passed into Flash. Is this a browser speed thing?
A value menu is passed out of Flash using getURL("index.php?pageID=239&menu=tools"), i.e. the page reloads and a php script  sends the appropriate str value to the sendToFlash javascript function based upon the value of menu.
Help! I'm totally at a loss here and my javascript knowledge is very basic.
Thanks...

Answer 1

Using this:
<?php
if ($menu=="components"){
    ?>
<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">
sendToFlash('components');
</script>
<?php
if ($menu=="tools"){
    ?>
    <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">
    sendToFlash('tools');
    </script>
    <?php
?>