Question
We bought foreclosed home in az and it was vacant for at least couple months and I don't know how long since sprinkler system been used but it will not turn on.  I know nothing about the systems but I did see one valve above ground next to main water valve for house which I opened and ther were 2 valves underground in that little box that I also opened and nothing turns on.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Since you have no experiance with the system, I would recommend that you hire someone to come in and check it out, and show you how to use it.  There are lots of types of controllers and valves, so any advice I give you may be wrong.  But you should make sure that the water to the system is turned on, and the power to the controller is on.  Also you can download a copy of most controller manuals at this site:

http://www.coastwaterworks.com/irrigation_3/controller_manuals.htm