asp.net mvc - Make Ajax call before page loads -

before page loads, need run check on user's security level. determine elements of our nav bar able see. have tried 2 methods @ running ajax call, both inside $(document).ready function.

(the div named container encompasses ul in html below)

$(document).ready(function ($) {     //first attempt     $('#container').load(         $.ajax({             type: 'get',             url: '@url.action("checksecurity","home")'         })     );      //second attempt      window.onload = function () {         $.ajax({             type: 'get',             url: '@url.action("checksecurity","home")'         });     }; }); 

since asp mvc 3 site, i've set breakpoint in checksecurity method. can tell neither call working due fact never fired.

the controller method listed below

public actionresult checksecurity() {     viewbag.username = security.getusername(user);     viewbag.admin = security.isadmin(user);     viewbag.itsupport = security.isitsupport(user);     viewbag.read = security.isviewer(user);     viewbag.modify = security.ismodifier(user);     return view();             } 

this supposed check user's security level, place boolean value in viewbag, , determine whether or not display admin features drop down item below

<li class="dropdown">       <a href="#"          class="dropdown-toggle"          data-toggle="dropdown"        data-hover="dropdown">           admin           <b class="caret"></b>       </a>       <ul class="dropdown-menu">           <li>@html.menulink("products", "index", "product")</li>         <li>@html.menulink("product training", "index", "course")</li>         <li>@html.menulink("continuing ed", "index", "contedcourse")</li>         @if (viewbag.admin)         {             <li>@html.menulink("admin features", "index", "dropdownvalues")</li>                      }     </ul>   </li> 

when page attempts load, instead crashes error pointing @if (viewbag.admin) line:

cannot convert null 'bool' because non-nullable value type

any help/suggestions appreciated. thx!

/viewbags work in same view. means this:

if in

public actionresult index() {     viewbag.index } 

and execute ajax

public actionresult otheraction() {     viewbag.other } 

the viewbag.other not visible in index

public actionresult index() {     viewbag.index     viewbag.other//erro other null cuz because bellows  otheraction view } 

so, return list instead.