Question
I just came home from a vacation to find my RD1200 "dead". The displays shows a 8:29 time, but moving the slide switch to "program" and attempting to change the time, or anything else, that 8:29 in the display won't change?
 New controller panel?  Or? There was a recent power interuption, I'm told, could that have done anything to the unit?

Answer
Before doing anything else try resetting it. Unplug from the power source and let stand for 5-10 minutes. take the backup battery out (if you have one). When you plug it back in to the power outlet hold-in the reset button (located somewhere on the inside of the panel - open the door to do this)for about 5 to 10 seconds and then let go. What should happen is you will get the default program and you should be able to go from there. Let me know if there is anything else you need help with and you MAY need to take those steps a few times to get the thing going. Good luck!

Also check this out

http://www.irritrol.com/controller_manuals/pdfs/manual_raindial07.pdf