[Al Skierkiewicz]

F,
It sounds like the motor controllers are not getting power or the controller is not being addressed properly. Power wiring to the controllers are notorious for falling out unless the wire is carefully prepared and inserted.
As a new user, I have to ask if the controllers are connected to a working sensor port on the NXT brick and that they are properly looped if you are using more than one. It is possible that the cable between the first controller and the NXT is bad.