In need of quick help...

Ok, this might sound stupid but I swear, it's about to drive me crazy. how does one check whether or not a javascript "global" variable is undefined that will work with IE?

I've tried each variation of code and checked countless forums:

if (saved == undefined || saved == null) {
alert('saved');
saved = new Array();
}

returns no error and nothing happens

if (saved == 'undefined') {
alert('saved');
saved = new Array();
}

-- returns error = saved is null or not an object

if (typeof(saved) == undefined) {
alert('saved');
saved = new Array();
}

returns same as above

help me please, I'm confused more then anything.
the link is also: http://doodlekins.hcents.com/designer

Basically the if statement isn't returning true and nothing on the inside of it is ever happening.

if(!foo){
alert('foo is undefined, null, 0 or false')
}

Or simply to detect undefined:-

var x;
alert (typeof x);
if (typeof x == "undefined") {
alert ("x is undefined");
}



Quizmaster: What season is said to start on the longest day in December?
Contestant: Spring.
Quizmaster: December, for God's sake!
Contestant: Summer.