Stalling a form from loading until the initial javascript arrays are loaded

Question

I am looking for a way to get a form to be hidden based on the onload event. I would like to call a javascript function to initially populate some select boxes based on javascript arrays, but I would like this to happen before the page loads or at least stall displaying the select boxes until they are populated.
The way it is setup now, when the page loads, the select boxes try to load first and then the rest of the form loads. I would like to know if there is a way to load the select boxes from the javascript arrays, then have the select boxes and other form elements show up at the same time. I have tried putting a <div> around the entire form and within the javascript populate function I first use "document.formname.div_id.style.visibility=hidden" then at the end of the select box population within the function, I use "document.formname.div_id.style.visiblity=visible". I tried this and the select boxes appear blank; it is as if the populate function doesn't work at all.
I realize this is a very long question, but I will award you Duke Dollars if you help me out!!!

Answer 1

right now, I have it set up where I click on a link which is a jsp page which forwards me to the jsp page that has all the html in it. That page is where I initially try to populate the select boxes with the javscript arrays...I also have a number of javascript functions which change the contents of the select boxes based on another select box in the form. Will i have access to those "java" arrays, [instead of using the javascript arrays], that you are suggesting in the javascript code? I do need to use whatever arrays I create in javascript functions.