Tried to change thermostat upstairs, but did not know where the white wire connect (no W on new thermostat, and uses batteries), so I tried to B, then tried to o, and l. Disconnected all because I knew it was incorrect, but proved my theory of bad stat, however now zone 1 (downstairs) A/C and heat come on at the same time, it was working correctly before I tried new stat). I rebooted the controller, but still get same results... any ideas?

This could be a very in depth in trying fix over the internet. Zoning control board and thermostats are universal controls(heat pumps, gas heat, hydronic heat) and can be set up to run just about any thing. Not knowing what type of equipment you have or the zone control or the thermostat you have that's trying to drive the equipment is impossible to trouble shoot
1: Make and model of heat and air equipment.
2: make and model of zone control board.
3: make and model of thermostat your trying to use and how the old one was wired.
All the info will help and is needed to keep from guessing what the problem may be.