The PanelView cannot find the node, which means that it isn't communicating with the SLC. This is what would happen if the SLC lost its marbles (including the channel config.), or if the comm. port is not functioning or incorrectly connected.
How is the Panelview connected? Ethernet or DH485? What is the entire part number of the PanelView?
Can you zip and post a copy of the SLC program? That would help greatly in determining what you need to communicate. Those instructions left by your predecessor must be mistaken. DH485 has two possible baud rates, 9600 (rarely used) and 19.2k. I would forget those instructions for now.
Now, the serial port (DB9 Channel 0) on your SLC can be configured for DH485, ASCII, or DF1. If it's set up for DH485, then you might be able to use your PCMCIA card to talk to it, but not directly (through a NET-AIC interface). If the SLC is defaulted by removing the EEPROM and battery and by shorting VBB to GND for a few seconds, the serial port settings should go back to DF1 and the program will be wiped out of it.
So, if you can post the SLC program (zip it first), we can open it and look at the channel config and more easily help you.